Barry Melrose

Lore & Background

At the 1994 NHL All-Star Game, Barry Melrose served as the head coach of the Western Conference. The source notes that this was the most recent All-Star Game in which the head coaches were also the head coaches of the defending conference champions. Melrose's Western Conference team lost 9–8 to the Eastern Conference, despite leading 8–6 in the third period. The Western Conference did win the Super Skills Competition for the second straight season. Melrose's roster included three first-time All-Star goaltenders: Felix Potvin (who started in place of injured Ed Belfour), Arturs Irbe, and Curtis Joseph (the losing goaltender who gave up the winning goal).

In Their Own Story

The 1994 All-Star Game saw Barry Melrose behind the bench for the Western Conference. His team held an 8–6 lead in the third period, but the Eastern Conference rallied. Joe Sakic scored his first All-Star Game goal to cut the lead to 8–7, Bob Kudelski tied it with 6:01 left, and Alexei Yashin scored the game-winner with 3:42 remaining. Melrose's goaltender Curtis Joseph gave up the winning goal. Despite the loss, the Western Conference had earlier won the Skills Competition for the second straight season.

Reader's Guide

Barry Melrose was the head coach of the Western Conference at the 1994 NHL All-Star Game. He was one of two head coaches who were also the head coaches of the defending conference champions (Jacques Demers coached the Eastern Conference). The game was held on January 22, 1994, at Madison Square Garden. Melrose's team lost 9–8. His goaltenders included Felix Potvin (starting in place of injured Ed Belfour), Arturs Irbe, and Curtis Joseph (the losing goaltender). The Western Conference won the Skills Competition for the second straight season.

Did You Know?

• Barry Melrose was the head coach of the Western Conference at the 1994 NHL All-Star Game.
• This was the most recent All-Star Game where the head coaches were also the head coaches of the defending conference champions.
• Melrose's Western Conference team lost 9–8 to the Eastern Conference.
• The Western Conference won the Skills Competition for the second straight season under Melrose's coaching.
• Melrose's goaltender Curtis Joseph gave up the winning goal in the third period.