Barry Melrose

Infobox Ice Hockey Player
played_for = Winnipeg Jets
Toronto Maple Leafs
Detroit Red Wings


position = Defence
shoots = Left
height_ft = 6
weight_lb = 205
nationality = CAN
birth_date = birth date and age|1956|07|15
birth_place = Kelvington, SK, CAN
career_start = 1974
career_end = 1987

Barry Melrose (born July 15, 1956 in Kelvington, Saskatchewan) is the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League. He was formerly a commentator and hockey analyst for ESPN.

Playing career

Melrose began his hockey career as a defenceman in the WCHL with the Kamloops Chiefs in 1974, where he stayed for two years. He started the 1976-1977 season with the Springfield Indians of the AHL, before moving mid-season to the Cincinnati Stingers of the WHA, where he stayed until 1979.

Following the demise of the WHA and its subsequent absorption into the NHL, Melrose joined the Winnipeg Jets for the 1979-80 season.

For the remainder of his playing career, Melrose split time between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings, as well as their assorted AHL affiliates. Melrose spent his final season playing with the Adirondack Red Wings of the AHL during 1986-1987 season.

During his NHL playing career, he played 300 games, scoring 10 goals, with 23 assists and 728 penalty minutes. He also played in 7 playoff games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, assisting on 2 goals and receiving 38 penalty minutes.

Coaching career

Upon retirement, Melrose immediately began coaching. He coached the 1987–1988 season with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL, leading them to a 44–22–6 record and a Memorial Cup title.

He coached the next season with the Seattle Thunderbirds before jumping to the AHL and coaching the Adirondack Red Wings. He spent three years with the Red Wings, leading them to a Calder Cup win in the 1991–1992 season.

Beginning with the 1992-1993 season, Melrose coached the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, leading them to the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals, which they lost to the Montreal Canadiens in five games. He continued coaching the Kings for two more seasons, finishing both years out of the playoffs and with losing records. He then spent 13 years as a hockey analyst with ESPN.

On June 4th, 2008 Melrose stated on Pardon the Interruption that he missed coaching and would entertain any NHL coaching offers. He stated, "I miss not having a dog in the fight."

On June 23rd, 2008 ESPN reported that Melrose had been chosen to be the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, starting in the 2008-2009 NHL season. [http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3457480] The next day, the Lightning officially introduced him as their new head coach.

Personal life

Melrose currently resides in Glens Falls, New York. He is the cousin of former NHL players Wendel Clark and Joe Kocur.

He has had several minor television and movie roles. Melrose guest starred in a season 5 episode of Spin City, titled "Hey Judith". He appeared in the second Slapshot movie, , as well as the movie Mystery, Alaska with Russell Crowe.

ee also

*Notable families in the NHL

References

External links

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