Barry Melrose

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.

Hockey career

Playing career Melrose began his hockey career as a defenceman in the WCHL with the Kamloops Chiefs in 1974, where he stayed for two years. He started the 1976–77 season with the Springfield Indians of the AHL, before moving mid-season to the Cincinnati Stingers of the WHA, where he stayed until 1979.

Following the demise of the WHA and the subsequent absorption of some of its teams into the NHL, Melrose joined the Winnipeg Jets for the 1979–80 season.

For the remainder of his playing career, Melrose split time between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings, as well as their assorted AHL affiliates. Melrose spent his final season playing with the Adirondack Red Wings of the AHL during the 1986–87 season.

During his NHL playing career, he played 300 games, scoring 10 goals, with 23 assists and 728 penalty minutes. He also played in 7 playoff games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, assisting on 2 goals and receiving 38 penalty minutes.

Coaching career Upon retirement, Melrose immediately began coaching. He coached the 1987–88 season with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL, leading them to a 44–22–6 record and a Memorial Cup title.

He coached the next season with the Seattle Thunderbirds before jumping to the AHL and coaching the Adirondack Red Wings. He spent three years with the Red Wings, leading them to a Calder Cup win in the 1991–92 season.

Beginning with the 1992–93 season, Melrose coached the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, leading them to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final, which they lost to the Montreal Canadiens in five games. He continued coaching the Kings for two more seasons, finishing both years out of the playoffs and with losing records. He then spent 13 years as a hockey analyst with ESPN. (NHL Tonight/DCI Tonight) On June 4, 2008, Melrose stated on Pardon the Interruption that he missed coaching and would entertain any NHL coaching offers. He stated, "I miss not having a dog in the fight."

The Tampa Bay Lightning hired Melrose as their head coach in June 2008. On October 21, 2008, Melrose recorded his first win as a head coach in over 13 years in a 3–2 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers. On November 14, 2008, Melrose was fired by the Lightning with a 5–7–4 record.

ESPN Melrose joined ESPN as a guest analyst in the spring of 1994 and 1995 when the Kings missed the playoffs and permanently in the fall of 1995 as a color commentator and studio analyst alongside host John Buccigross and John Saunders. He left ESPN in June 2008 to coach the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was also the lead studio analyst on NHL 2Night together with Ray Ferraro along with host Buccigross. The trio also called select NHL games and the Frozen Four championship games together.

NHL Network Melrose joined the NHL Network as a contributor in September 2011.

Personal life Born in Kelvington, Saskatchewan to Norrie and James Melrose, he grew up on a farm outside the town. He is the cousin of former NHL players Wendel Clark and Joe Kocur and longtime minor league forward Kerry Clark. Melrose currently resides in Glens Falls, New York with his wife, Cindy, and the couple have two sons, Tyrell and Adrien. Melrose became an American citizen in March 1998.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1973–74 Weyburn Red Wings SJHL 50 2 19 21 162 — — — — — 1974–75 Kamloops Chiefs WCHL 70 6 18 24 95 6 1 1 2 21 1975–76 Kamloops Chiefs WCHL 72 12 49 61 112 12 4 6 10 14 1976–77 Cincinnati Stingers WHA 29 1 4 5 8 2 0 0 0 0 1976–77 Springfield Indians AHL 23 0 3 3 17 — — — — — 1977–78 Cincinnati Stingers WHA 69 2 9 11 113 — — — — — 1978–79 Cincinnati Stingers WHA 80 2 14 16 222 3 0 1 1 8 1979–80 Winnipeg Jets NHL 74 4 6 10 124 — — — — — 1980–81 Winnipeg Jets NHL 18 1 1 2 40 — — — — — 1980–81 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 57 2 5 7 166 3 0 1 1 15 1981–82 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 64 1 5 6 186 — — — — — 1982–83 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 52 2 5 7 68 4 0 1 1 23 1982–83 St. Catharines Saints AHL 25 1 10 11 106 — — — — — 1983–84 Detroit Red Wings NHL 21 0 1 1 74 — — — — — 1983–84 Adirondack Red Wings AHL 16 2 1 3 37 — — — — — 1984–85 Adirondack Red Wings AHL 72 3 13 16 226 — — — — — 1985–86 Detroit Red Wings NHL 14 0 0 0 70 — — — — — 1985–86 Adirondack Red Wings AHL 57 4 4 8 204 — — — — — 1986–87 Adirondack Red Wings AHL 55 4 9 13 170 11 1 2 3 107 WHA totals 178 5 27 32 343 5 0 1 1 10 AHL totals 248 14 40 54 760 11 1 2 3 107 NHL totals 300 10 23 33 728 7 0 2 2 38

Coaching record Team Year Regular season Postseason G W L T OTL Pts Finish ResultLAK1992–9384393510—883rd in SmytheLost in Stanley Cup Final (MTL)LAK1993–9484274512—665th in PacificMissed playoffsLAK1994–954113217—(33)(fired)—TBL2008–091657—4(14)(fired)—Total 22584108294 1 playoff appearance