Barry Melrose, Former Adirondack Red Wings Coach Dies

Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

As head coach, he led his team to a Calder Cup Championship in 1992 at Glens Falls Civic Center.

According to ESPN.com former NHL player, coach, and hockey analyst Barry Melrose has died at the age of 70. 

Long time local hockey fans most remember Melrose as the head coach who helped the Adirondack Red Wings to their fourth and final Calder Cup Championship in the American Hockey League in 1992.  Following his success in Glens Falls, he was brought on board to coach the Los Angeles Kings, leading them to the Stanley Cup Final in his first year of coaching in 1993.  He would continue to be their coach for 2 more seasons after that.

He also was known locally for joining Steve Levy and others in purchasing the Adirondack IceHawks of the United Hockey League in January 2004.  The group would rename the team to the Adirondack Frostbite, and would play for two more seasons before the team ceased operations in 2006.   

Following his time in Los Angeles, Melrose later became a hockey analyst for ESPN for several years and returned to coaching for a short time in 2008 with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Melrose was a player in the NHL for 11 seasons spending time with Winnipeg, Toronto and Detroit as a defenseman. Melrose was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2023, which brought his retirement from ESPN.  He is survived by his wife Cindy, and two sons.  

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