Barry Melrose stepping away from ESPN after Parkinson’s diagnosis

ESPN NHL studio analyst is stepping away from his role at the network after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

“I’ve had over 50 extraordinary years playing, coaching and analyzing the world’s greatest game, hockey,” Melrose said in a statement. “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.”

ESPN’s John Buccigross made the announcement on social media on Tuesday, saying the former coach would be taking a leave of absence to spend time with his family.

“Barry Melrose has Parkinson’s disease and is stepping away from our ESPN family to spend more time with his,” Buccigross wrote. “I’ve worked with Barry at ESPN for over a quarter century. Cold beers and heart laughs in smokey cigar bars.

“A razor sharp wit, he was always early and looked like a million bucks,” he continued. “I love him. I’ll miss him.”

Before joining ESPN in 1996, Melrose served as head coach of the Wayne Gretzky-led Los Angeles Kings, taking them to their first Stanley Cup Final in 1992-93. He then worked for the American sports broadcaster for 27 years, with a brief stint in 2008 to coach the Tampa Bay Lightning.

After an 11-year playing career split between the NHL, AHL and the now-defunct World Hockey Association (WHA), Melrose immediately got behind the bench, coaching the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers to a Memorial Cup in 1987-88. He coached the Seattle Thunderbirds for a year before taking a professional gig with the AHL’s Adirondack Red Wings. He spent three years there, winning a Calder Cup in 1991-92 before taking the Kings’ job the following season.