By Taylor Rocca via Western Hockey League

CALGARY, Alta. – The Western Hockey League is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Barry Melrose, longtime ESPN hockey analyst and a WHL alumnus.

Melrose passed away Wednesday at the age of 70. He retired from ESPN after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2023.

Prior to becoming a star on ESPN’s coverage of the NHL, Melrose got his start in the WHL. Hailing from Kelvington, Sask., Melrose patrolled the blueline for two seasons with the Kamloops Chiefs (1974-75 to 1975-76) before making the jump to pro hockey.

With the Chiefs, Melrose enjoyed a career year in 1975-76, tallying 61 points (12G-49A) in 72 games.

Following 10 seasons of pro hockey, including 300 NHL games played, Melrose retired and moved into coaching. Once again, he got his start in the WHL.

Melrose led the Medicine Hat Tigers during the 1987-88 season, guiding the Club to a record of 44-22-6. From there, Melrose’s Tigers marched through the WHL Playoffs to win their second consecutive WHL Championship before then claiming the Memorial Cup as Canadian Hockey League champions.

Following his one season in Medicine Hat, Melrose moved behind the bench of the Seattle Thunderbirds for the 1988-89 season, coaching the Club to a record of 33-35-4.

After two seasons as a head coach in the WHL, Melrose once again advanced to the ranks of pro hockey, becoming the head coach of the American Hockey League’s Adirondack Red Wings, where he spent three seasons, culminating in a Calder Cup victory at the conclusion of the 1991-92 campaign.

Melrose ascended to the NHL ranks, spending three seasons as the head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, including a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 1992-93.

In 1994, Melrose was part of ESPN’s coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, contributing to an Emmy Award-winning production. He

He joined ESPN on a full-time basis in 1996, where he would spend the remainder of his career, aside from a 16-game stint as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2008-09 season.

On behalf of the WHL and its 23 member Clubs, we extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to family, friends, colleagues, and all those who knew Barry.