Barry Melrose
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Position | Defence |
| Shoots | Left |
| Height Weight |
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 205 lb (93 kg/14 st 9 lb) |
| Pro clubs | Winnipeg Jets Toronto Maple Leafs Detroit Red Wings |
| Nationality |  Canada |
| Born | July 15, 1956 , Kelvington, SK, CAN |
| Pro career | 1974 – 1987 |
Barry Melrose (born July 15, 1956 in Kelvington, Saskatchewan) is a former hockey player and coach. He is currently a commentator and hockey analyst for ESPN.
Contents |
[edit] 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 1976-1977 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 its subsequent absorption 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 1986-1987 season.
During his NHL played 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.
[edit] Coaching Career
Upon retirement, Melrose immediately began coaching. He coached the 1987–1988 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 1991–1992 season.
Beginning with the 1992-1993 season, Melrose coached the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, leading them to the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals, 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.
On May 30th, 2008 it was rumored he would become the new coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, but he has downplayed this rumor stating he "loves [his] job at ESPN."
On June 4th, 2008 Melrose stated on Pardon the Interruption that he missed coaching and would entertain any NHL coaching offers.
[edit] Broadcasting Career
Melrose has worked as a commentator and studio analyst at ESPN since 1996.
[edit] Personal Life
Melrose currently resides in Glens Falls, New York. He is the cousin of former NHL players Wendel Clark and Joe Kocur.
He has had several minor television and movie roles. Melrose guest starred in a season 5 episode of Spin City, titled "Hey Judith". He appeared in the second Slapshot movie, Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice, as well as the movie Mystery Alaska with Russell Crowe.
