Hockey Community Rallies Around Beloved Broadcaster Barry Melrose After Parkinson’s Diagnosis

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Players, media members, and fans alike all rushed to show their support for former NHL coach turned ESPN analyst Barry Melrose on Tuesday after it was revealed that the 67-year-old has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

The new came from former ESPN colleague John Buccigross.

Buccigross shared a video narrated by Wayne Gretzky, who played under Melrose, asking for support from the hockey community.

“Barry Melrose has Parkinson’s disease and is stepping away from our ESPN family to spend more time with his,” Buccigross’ tweet read. “I’ve worked with Barry at ESPN for over a quarter century. 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. Wayne Gretzky on a life dedicated to hockey.”

The support came flowing in immediately from all corners of the sports world.

“As great a teammate as any of us have had. Love this man,” ESPN colleague Scott Van Pelt said in a Tweet.

“From the time I can remember watching sports media, Barry Melrose has been a constant reminder that above all else, this should be fun. Great admiration for his ability to make that love for the game leap off of the screen while still being a true pro. Love to him and his family,” wrote Philadelphia sportswriter Kyle Neubeck.

“I was fortunate to get to know Barry in 1980 working with the Toronto Maple Leafs. A great coach in Medicine Hat, Adirondack and Los Angeles. An even greater broadcaster. And an even greater person and friend,” former Toronto Maple Leafs GM Gord Stellick said.

Melrose is clearly beloved by all both inside and outside of the hockey world. And almost every tweet mentioned what a good person he is in addition to his hockey smarts.