Rich’s Heartfelt Farewell to Hockey Coaching & Announcing Legend Barry Melrose

The news hit Rich like a ton of bricks. Barry Melrose passed away at the age of 70.

Rich met Melrose in his first year at ESPN, 1996, which was Melrose's first year there too. The show put up a photo of Melrose on the NHL Tonight set, and Rich explained what everyone at ESPN quickly told him about the man in it. Melrose had coached the Los Angeles Kings, and with that goatee, he could look like an imposing figure.

He was a sweetheart. Rich learned that fast.

Melrose picked up right away that Rich wasn't a big hockey guy, and it didn't matter. Whenever he appeared on SportsCenter or worked with Rich, he was welcoming. He always seemed to have a smile, and a cigar.

"Everybody wanted to be his friend cuz he was so freaking cool and nice and engaging and funny and welcoming and warm," Rich said. "And the neat part about him is he was happy to be yours."

Melrose died of Parkinson's disease, which Rich's father also had. Rich's dad passed away in his early 80s, so hearing that Melrose was 70 was "an absolute gut punch."

Rich said he cherishes his seven years as Melrose's colleague, with a brief break when Melrose left to go back behind the bench. He sent his condolences to people who worked with Melrose even more closely, like John Buccigross and Steve Levy, to the rest of ESPN, and to the Melrose family.

"Rest in peace, Barry," Rich said. "Have a cigar."