Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Barry Melrose, Former NHL Coach and ESPN Analyst, Dies
Barry Melrose was a professional hockey player, coach, and television analyst.
He died on Wednesday at age 70.
His wife, Cindy, shared the news with ESPN’s Steve Levy.
Melrose was known as a coach and as a longtime hockey analyst.
He joined ESPN in 1996.
His cause of death has not been announced.
In 2023, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
That diagnosis led him to retire from ESPN.
Barry Melrose, a former NHL player and coach, died Wednesday at age 70.
His wife, Cindy, told ESPN’s Steve Levy about his death.
Melrose’s cause of death was not disclosed in the available information.
He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2023.
The diagnosis led to his retirement from ESPN, where he had worked since 1996.
- Who
- Barry Melrose, a former NHL player, coach, and ESPN hockey analyst, died at age 70.
- What
- Melrose died; his cause of death was not disclosed.
- When
- He died Wednesday; the specific date was not provided.
- Where
- The location of his death was not stated.
- Why
- The cause of death was not disclosed; he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2023.
- Age at death
- 70
- Profession
- Former NHL player, coach, and ESPN hockey analyst
- ESPN tenure
- Joined ESPN in 1996
- Parkinson’s diagnosis
- Diagnosed in 2023
- Retirement
- Retired from ESPN after the diagnosis
- Cause of death
- Not disclosed
- Death announcement
- His wife, Cindy, told ESPN’s Steve Levy