Barry Melrose has died at age 70, his wife Cindy confirmed to ESPN's Steve Levy, the network reported.
Melrose built a long career in professional hockey as a player, a coach and a broadcaster.
He played in the National Hockey League for the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings.
As a coach he is best known for leading the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final.
Melrose coached the Kings from 1992 until 1995 and later had a brief 16 game stint as coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008.
He later joined ESPN as a broadcaster where he became one of the network's flagship NHL commentators.
Melrose retired from the network after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, closing a television run that began in the 1990s.
Reaction And Legacy
ESPN issued a statement praising Melrose's contribution to hockey coverage and his distinctive presence on television.
For decades, Barry Melrose was one of the most distinctive and trusted voices in hockey, the network said.
ESPN added that his knowledge of the game was deep, his candor was refreshing, and his passion was unmistakable.
The statement also called Melrose a foundational part of ESPN's hockey coverage and noted that fans and teammates appreciated his entertaining delivery and charismatic personality.
Colleagues and viewers will remember Melrose for his candid analysis and his role guiding the Kings to the league's championship series.
The confirmation from his wife and the network's tribute framed a career that touched playing, coaching and national television coverage of the sport.
