Barry Melrose Diagnosed With Parkinson’s Disease, Stepping Away From ESPN

Barry Melrose — thought-about by many to be the very best NHL analyst on tv — has sadly been identified with Parkinson’s … and he’ll now be stepping away from his function at ESPN whereas he battles the illness.

Longtime ESPN persona John Buccigross simply made the heartbreaking announcement minutes in the past on X … revealing Melrose will likely be off digicam and spending time along with his household for the foreseeable future.

“I’ve labored with Barry at ESPN for over 1 / 4 century,” Buccigross mentioned. “Chilly beers and hearty laughs in smokey cigar bars. A razor sharp wit, he was at all times early & seemed like one million bucks. I really like him. I am going to miss him.”

“Wayne Gretzky on a life devoted to hockey,” he added.

Melrose each performed and coached within the NHL for years … earlier than he started breaking down video games for ESPN starting in 1996. He took a quick hiatus from the community to teach the Lightning, however returned a short while later.

He is since turn into a mainstay on NHL broadcasts — a lot so, commissioner Gary Bettman mentioned Tuesday, “Hockey on ESPN will not be the identical with out him.”

“Barry’s gigantic persona and trademark type have made our recreation larger, extra thrilling and extra entertaining,” Bettman mentioned.

“His love for hockey is apparent and infectious. And it’s unattainable to have a dialog with him and not using a smile in your face.”