Melrose Retires....

[Brewin Flames]

Melrose has Parkinson’s disease, retires from ESPN 

Former coach has been analyst at network since 1996

 

 

ByNHL.com

@NHLdotcom

 

Barry Melrose, a former NHL coach and player who has been an analyst for ESPN since 1996, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and is retiring.

 

"I've had over 50 extraordinary years playing, coaching and analyzing the world's greatest game, hockey. It's now time to hang up my skates and focus on my health, my family, including my supportive wife Cindy, and whatever comes next," the 67-year-old said in a statement Tuesday.

 

"I'm beyond grateful for my hockey career, and to have called ESPN home for almost 30 years. Thanks for the incredible memories and I'll now be cheering for you from the stands."

 

Said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman: “Barry is a unique, one-of-a-kind person. And hockey on ESPN won’t be the same without him.

 

“For nearly 50 years, as a player, coach and broadcaster, Barry‘s gigantic personality and trademark style have made our game bigger, more exciting and more entertaining. His love for hockey is obvious and infectious. And it is impossible to have a conversation with him without a smile on your face.

 

“Barry, we wish you well in this fight and know you will give it everything you have -- as you always do.”

 

The news was first reported by Melrose’s broadcast partner, John Buccigross, who said on social media, “I’ve worked with Barry at ESPN for over a quarter century. Cold beers and hearty laughs in smokey cigar bars. A razor-sharp wit, he was always early & looked like a million bucks. I love him. I’ll miss him…”

Melrose steps away after Parkinson's disease diagnosis

 

Los Angeles Kings president Luc Robitaille, who played for Melrose when he coached the Kings from 1992-95, posted on social media that Melrose was “a tremendous leader who brought an incredible amount of personality to our hockey club and organization. His booming laugh is second to none.”

 

Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements such as shaking, stiffness and difficulty with balance and coordination, according to the National Institute on Aging. 

 

About one million people in the United States are living with Parkinson’s disease, according to Parkinson’s Foundation. More than 8.5 million people worldwide have the disease, according to the World Health Organization.

 

Actors Michael J. Fox and Alan Alda, singers Neil Diamond and Linda Ronstadt and the late boxer Muhammad Ali are among the notable figures who were diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

 

Melrose joined ESPN as a hockey analyst in 1996 after he coached the Kings. With Wayne Gretzky as a star player, Melrose guided Los Angeles to its first Stanley Cup Final in 1993, a five-game loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

 

Melrose was 79-101-29-0 in the regular season with Los Angeles and 13-11-0 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He coached the Tampa Bay Lightning for 16 games in 2008.

 

A second-round pick (No. 36) by the Canadiens in the 1976 NHL Draft, Melrose was a defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings from 1979-86. He had 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists) in 300 regular-season games and two assists in seven playoff games.

 

In addition to hockey and broadcasting, Melrose dabbled in acting. He appeared as himself in the hockey movie “Mystery, Alaska” in 1999 and was a guest in 2001 on the ABC comedy series “Spin City,” which starred Fox.

[Icechipper]

Thanks for sharing this. Always have enjoyed Melrose. Saw him play several times, full mullet sans helmet, at Winnipeg Arena. 

[SaucyJack]

I was rooting more than average, as a neutral, in 1993 for Melrose and Gretzky  but Montreal was just unconscious in overtime wins that year.   Took the Kings 19 more years to grab a Cup.  I fondly recall a short road trip I made then, where I ended up in the wilds of Eastern  Kentucky and a trailer as a hotel room in a place called Pikeville, not exactly Hockey Country but was still able to watch them lose one of those OT heartbreakers in Montreal.

 

I always enjoyed Melrose in the studio with his constant laugh and references to his tiny Kelvington SK home town.  After ESPN lost the NHL broadcast contract after 2004, it struck me as very loyal of him to stay with them as their hockey expert, giving up the chance for a more visible role on the new Versus network.  (Which later became NBC Sports Network.)