“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 lucky enough to bump into him on a rink or see him on the television screen,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “You were even luckier if you struck up a conversation with him or listened to his analysis, because he never failed to increase your love for the game of hockey. “Barry, a big, rugged defenseman from Kelvington, Saskatchewan, forged an 11-year professional career in the NHL, AHL and WHA. But it was as a coach, who guided the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final, and as a broadcaster, who spent 27 years at ESPN, that he truly left his mark on the game. And during those countless encounters over the years with players, coaches, fans and spectators who couldn’t help but be drawn to his enthusiasm. “We mourn the passing of a hockey original. And we send our deepest condolences to his wife, Cindy, his sons, Tyrell and Adrien, and all of his teammates, colleagues and fans throughout the hockey world.” Known for his sense of humor, as well as his sharp suits and mullets, Melrose became an ESPN star, endearing himself to hockey fans around the world. “It’s bigger than any team,” Gretzky said in a video the day Melrose announced his Parkinson’s diagnosis. “For decades, he’s been preparing, and I mean preparing, for the game, for the sport, for hockey… You see, hockey is more than a game, it’s a community, a finely tuned orchestra, and Barry was our conductor.”
