Former NHL player, coach, and analyst Barry Melrose died Wednesday at the age of 70, the league announced.
Melrose was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2023.
"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 in a statement.
"You were even more fortunate if you engaged him in conversation or listened to his analysis, because he never failed to boost your love of the game of hockey."
Melrose played 300 NHL games over six seasons between the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings, but he's best remembered as a coach and analyst.
The Saskatchewan native coached for four seasons in the NHL, posting an 84-108-29-4 record. Melrose spent three years behind the bench with the 1990s Los Angeles Kings, guiding the Wayne Gretzky-led squad to the Stanley Cup Final in 1993. He also coached the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008-09.
Melrose spent 27 years as an analyst at ESPN and also worked for NHL Network.
