Murray Wood: Of Easter bunny bells and Juicy Fruit gum
For Murray Wood, Easter brings to mind grandma's practical advice about repurposing, and some of life's little lessons.
A Saskatchewan native and famous ESPN hockey broadcaster is stepping away from the desk.
On Tuesday, as the NHL opens its new season, it was announced that Barry Melrose will not be returning to ESPN after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He’s now stepping away to spend more time with his family.
Melrose, 67, grew up on a farm just outside of Kelvington, a town of about 860 people located east of Saskatoon.
Wayne Gretzky narrated a video about Melrose, which was shared on social media Tuesday. In the video, Gretzky speaks about how much Melrose meant to him and to hockey fans.
NEWS:
Barry Melrose has Parkinson's disease and is stepping away from our ESPN family to spend more time with his. I've worked with Barry at ESPN for over a quarter century. Cold beers and hearty laughs in smokey cigar bars. A razor sharp wit, he was always early & looked like a… pic.twitter.com/gjjSAEuG2s— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) October 10, 2023
Prior to embarking on his broadcasting career, Melrose played major junior and professional hockey in the NHL.
He got his start in junior hockey playing for the Weyburn Red Wings in the SJHL and went on to play 13 season of professional hockey.
Melrose played seven seasons in the NHL for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets and Detroit Red Wings.
In 1992-93, he led the Los Angeles Kings to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in his very first season behind the bench. He coached two more seasons before transitioning to a broadcasting role.
Melrose also coached Tampa Bay in 2008-09, but was fired after just 16 games.
