Barry Melrose, a Canadian–American broadcaster and former professional ice hockey player and head coach, is retiring after almost three decades of being a staple of the professional sport after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

“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 million bucks. I love him. I’ll miss him. Wayne Gretzky on a life dedicated to hockey,” ESPN’s John Buccigross tweeted on Tuesday.

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Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and hence major organs of the body, according to the Mayo Clinic. There is no medical cure for the slowly worsening condition.

Melrose coached the Los Angeles Kings from 1992-95, leading the team to the Stanley Cup Final in 1993. He is married to Cindy Melrose and they share two children, Adrien Melrose, and Tyrell Melrose.

Who is Cindy Melrose?

Cindy is in her 60s and also holds Canadian and American citizenship, like her husband. She currently lives in Glens Falls, New York with her husband. Not much else is known about her.

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Barry Melrose became an American citizen in March 1998.

He has starred in a number of minor television and movie roles. Melrose guest starred in a season 5 episode of Spin City, titled “Hey Judith”. He appeared in the second Slapshot movie, Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice, as well as the movie Mystery, Alaska with Russell Crowe. During his tenure as the Kings head coach, Melrose was featured in a series of Tony Robbins infomercials.