Barry Melrose, a former NHL player, coach and longtime ESPN analyst, died Wednesday. He was 70.
\n\nMelrose’s wife, Cindy, confirmed his death to ESPN.
\n\n“For decades, Barry Melrose was one of the most distinctive and trusted voices in hockey,” wrote ESPN in a statement. “His knowledge of the game was deep, his candor was refreshing, and his passion was unmistakable. He was a foundational part of ESPN’s hockey coverage, and fans and teammates truly appreciated his entertaining delivery and charismatic personality.”
\n\nThe statement continued: “We send our deepest condolences to his loved ones. He always kept it interesting and he will be missed.”
\n\nBorn in Kelvington, Saskatchewan, Canada, Melrose began his hockey career when he was selected in the second round of the NHL Draft by the Montreal Canadiens in 1976. His debut came in 1979 with the Winnipeg Jets. Melrose went on to play for teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings until 1986. He began coaching the following year. Notably, Melrose coached star player Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings, who made it to the Stanley Cup Final in 1993. (He coached the team for three seasons, from 1992 to 1995.)
\n\nMelrose joined…
Original source: https://variety.com/v/tv/