Barry Melrose

Former NHL coach and longtime ESPN analyst

Barry James Melrose (born July 15, 1956) is a Canadian–American retired broadcaster and former professional ice hockey player and head coach. Melrose played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) and National Hockey League (NHL). After retiring from playing, he became a head coach and is best known for being the coach of the Los Angeles Kings in their run to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final. Until 2023, he was a long-time commentator and hockey analyst for ESPN as well as a contributor for the NHL Network.

Quick Facts

Role: Head Coach
Affiliation: Western Conference
Status: Coach

Lore & Background

Melrose began his hockey career as a defenceman in the WCHL with the Kamloops Chiefs in 1974. He played for the Cincinnati Stingers of the WHA, the Winnipeg Jets, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Detroit Red Wings, among others. He played 300 NHL games, scoring 10 goals with 23 assists and 728 penalty minutes. After retiring, he coached the Medicine Hat Tigers to a Memorial Cup title, the Adirondack Red Wings to a Calder Cup win, and the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final. He later coached the Tampa Bay Lightning briefly. He joined ESPN as a guest analyst in 1994 and 1995, permanently in fall 1995, and returned after his Lightning stint. He retired from ESPN in October 2023 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He joined the NHL Network as a contributor in September 2011.