ESPN’s Barry Melrose Stepping Away From Network Due to Parkinson’s Disease

Longtime ESPN hockey analyst Barry Melrose is stepping down at the network following a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, according to his good friend and colleague John Buccigross.

“Barry Melrose has Parkinson’s disease and is stepping away from our ESPN family to spend more time with his,” Buccigross began in a post on X (formerly Twitter). 

“I’ve worked with Barry at ESPN for over a quarter century. Cold beers and hearty laughs in smoky cigar bars. A razor sharp wit, he was always early & looked like a million bucks. I love him. I’ll miss him. Wayne Gretzky on a life dedicated to hockey,” Buccigross wrote as he posted an ESPN tribute to Melrose’s career with the network.

Melrose joined ESPN in 1996 as a commentator and hockey analyst. With the exception of a brief hiatus to coach the Lightning in the 2008 season, Melrose has been with the network ever since, a 27-year run.

The announcement of the departure of the 67-year-old Melrose from ESPN comes just hours before the new NHL season begins on Tuesday night.