I guess there are some people who just occupy a room entirely, even when that room happens to be a freezing cold sheet of ice. For a kid growing up back in ninety-two, the whole world could fit inside the glass of a hockey rink.
If you looked close enough behind the bench of the Los Angeles Kings, you’d see him. Barry Melrose.
He cut a figure you couldn't miss—that sharp suit, that signature hair, and a presence that made you feel like anything was possible. To a child, he wasn't just a coach; he was the architect of a dream, standing right alongside ninety-nine and Luc Robitaille, chasing a silver cup into the California night.
When our childhoods inevitably packed up and left us, Barry didn't disappear. He just traded the bench for a microphone at ESPN, bringing that same booming joy and larger-than-life spirit right into our living rooms for nearly thirty years. He kept us connected to the magic we felt when we were young, a familiar voice reminding us why we fell in love with the game in the first place.
I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice. But still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty now that they’re gone.
The hockey world lost a good one. And for the kid who used to watch him from behind the glass, the rink feels a little colder today.
You can never underestimate the predictability of stupidity
@GASportsDoc
I guess there are some people who just occupy a room entirely, even when that room happens to be a freezing cold sheet of ice. For a kid growing up back in ninety-two, the whole world could fit inside the glass of a hockey rink.
If you looked close enough behind the bench of the Los Angeles Kings, you’d see him. Barry Melrose.
He cut a figure you couldn't miss—that sharp suit, that signature hair, and a presence that made you feel like anything was possible. To a child, he wasn't just a coach; he was the architect of a dream, standing right alongside ninety-nine and Luc Robitaille, chasing a silver cup into the California night.
When our childhoods inevitably packed up and left us, Barry didn't disappear. He just traded the bench for a microphone at ESPN, bringing that same booming joy and larger-than-life spirit right into our living rooms for nearly thirty years. He kept us connected to the magic we felt when we were young, a familiar voice reminding us why we fell in love with the game in the first place.
I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice. But still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty now that they’re gone.
The hockey world lost a good one. And for the kid who used to watch him from behind the glass, the rink feels a little colder today.
Another great hockey mind to come out of Saskatchewan. Kelvington to be exact. As a coach he won a Memorial Cup with the Medicine Hat Tigers in 1988 and a Calder Cup with the Adirondack Red Wings in 1992. My personal memory of Barry is the 1993 Campbell Conference Final against the Leafs. Some good war of words between him and Burnsey.
He will certainly be missed
Another great hockey mind to come out of Saskatchewan. Kelvington to be exact. As a coach he won a Memorial Cup with the Medicine Hat Tigers in 1988 and a Calder Cup with the Adirondack Red Wings in 1992. My personal memory of Barry is the 1993 Campbell Conference Final against the Leafs. Some good war of words between him and Burnsey.
Remember that Kings Cup team that made the finals vs Montreal. Wayne Gretzky team under .500 but nice playoff runs. Lost 3 straight OT games in the finals vs Canadiens. Could have easily gone other way. Crazy run in OT by that Montreal team
The mullet man
Remember that Kings Cup team that made the finals vs Montreal. Wayne Gretzky team under .500 but nice playoff runs. Lost 3 straight OT games in the finals vs Canadiens. Could have easily gone other way. Crazy run in OT by that Montreal team