Barry Melrose, former NHL coach and longtime ESPN analyst, dies at 70

Breaking NewsSeahawks QB Sam Darnold knocked out of season openerRead moreTRENDINGPats-Seahawks previewShelton shocks AlcarazNFL Week 1 injury reportWill SEC expel LSU?Fantasy Football Draft KitStory byStory byBarry Melrose, former NHL coach and longtime ESPN analyst, dies at 70Mike Brehm, USA TODAYThu, September 10, 2026 at 1:32 AM UTC·2 min readAbout Our AdsRecommended StoriesHockey player and coach-turned-broadcaster Barry Melrose dies at age 70Barry Melrose, a hockey player-turned-coach who led the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final before going on to a long career in broadcasting the sport, has died. ESPN announced Melrose’s death Wednesday after his wife informed the network. “From the flowing locks of his distinctive mullet to the flared lapels of his trademark long suit coats, Barry Melrose cut an unmistakable figure whenever you were fortunate enough to run into him at a rink or catch him on your television screen," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said.Associated PressBarry Melrose, beloved NHL analyst and former coach, dies at 70The hockey world mourns a voice that defined the sport for a generation of fans.HockeyFeedFormer Red Wings Defenseman Barry Melrose DiesBarry Melrose has died at 70. The longtime ESPN analyst also played for Detroit and won a Calder Cup coaching in the Red Wings organization.Detroit Sports NationAdvertisementAdvertisementAaron Rodgers praises Karl Ravech for ‘phenomenal’ ESPN tenureAaron Rodgers loves to hate on ESPN, and the Worldwide Leader may have given him a little more ammunition by parting ways with Karl Ravech. 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