{"id":3476,"date":"2023-10-11T09:46:39","date_gmt":"2023-10-11T13:46:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/dailycupofwellness\/?p=3476"},"modified":"2023-10-11T09:46:39","modified_gmt":"2023-10-11T13:46:39","slug":"espn-hockey-analyst-barry-melrose-retires-after-parkinsons-disease-diagnosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/dailycupofwellness\/2023\/10\/espn-hockey-analyst-barry-melrose-retires-after-parkinsons-disease-diagnosis.html","title":{"rendered":"ESPN Hockey Analyst Barry Melrose Retires After Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Eric Kilby \/ Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sadly, the 2023-2024 NHL season will start without one of the sport’s most renowned analysts breaking down the game. Barry Melrose, who’s been with ESPN since 1996, announced on the first day of the NHL season that he’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and will retire.<\/p>\n

In a statement, the 67-year-old said, “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. I’m beyond grateful for my hockey career and to have called ESPN home for almost 30 years. Thanks for the incredible memories, and I’ll now be cheering for you from the stands.”<\/p>\n

Before becoming a broadcaster, Melrose played in six NHL seasons for three different teams but became a prominent head coach after his playing days. He coached Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings to a Stanly Cup Final in 1993, his first behind an NHL bench. Three years later, he joined ESPN but briefly returned to the bench in 2008 to coach the Tampa Bay Lightning. Unfortunately, he was fired after 16 games. In his brief coaching career, he went 84-108-29-4.<\/p>\n