Former NHL coach and player Barry Melrose revealed that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and is retiring as a NHL analyst.
The 67-year-old shared the news on Tuesday
“I’ve had over 50 extraordinary years playing, coaching and analyzing the world’s greatest game, hockey,”
“It’s now time to hang up my skates and focus on my health, my family, including my supportive wife Cindy, and whatever comes next.”
Melrose has been an Emmy Award-winning hockey analyst for ESPN since 1996.
Following the news of his diagnosis and retirement, he received tons of support from his colleagues.
“I’ve worked with Barry at ESPN for over a quarter century,” ESPN’s John Buccigross wrote on X, formerly Twitter, alongside a video tribute. “Cold beers and hearty laughs in smokey cigar bars. A razor sharp wit, he was always early & looked like a million bucks. I love him. I’ll miss him.”