Former NHL coach and hockey analyst Barry Melrose has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, ESPN’s John Buccigross announced Tuesday. As a result, Buccigross will be stepping away from his role with ESPN prior to the 2023-24 season.
Prior to the start of the season, Buccigross shared Melrose’s diagnosis on social media, along with a video narrated by Wayne Gretzky highlighting Melrose’s contributions to the game as a player, coach, and TV personality.
NEWS:
Barry Melrose has Parkinson’s disease and is stepping away from our ESPN family to spend more time with his. 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… pic.twitter.com/gjjSAEuG2s— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) October 10, 2023
Melrose began his NHL career with the Winnipeg Jets in the 1979-80 season, playing a total of six seasons with the Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings. During that time, Melrose registered 10 goals, 23 assists, and 728 penalty minutes.
He then transitioned into coaching, becoming the head coach of the Los Angeles Kings in the 1992-93 season. In his first year as coach, Melrose led the Kings to a 39-35-10 record and a spot in the Stanley Cup Final with Wayne Gretzky.
After being fired by the Kings halfway through the 1994-95 season, Melrose had a short 16-game stint with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008-09.
Following his coaching career, Melrose became a color commentator and studio analyst for ESPN. Known for his mullet, stylish suits, and entertaining breakdowns of the game, Melrose spent over two decades at ESPN, providing insightful analysis and attracting new fans to hockey.
