Traded to Jets by Quebec Nordiques for Jamie Hislop and Barry Legge, June 28, 1979. Claimed on waivers by Toronto Maple Leafs, November 30, 1980.
The Jets acquired defenseman Barry Melrose in the summer of 1979 and he spent the entire 1979-1980 season with the Jets prior to being waived and claimed by the Toronto Maple Leafs in November 1980. He played parts of three seasons with the Leafs before signing with the Detroit Red Wings in the summer of 1983 and spent four seasons in their organization to wind up his playing career. Melrose was originally drafted by both the Montreal Canadiens and the Cincinnati Stingers in 1976, but he elected to sign with the Stingers and he played three seasons in Cincinnati before joining the Jets. His release from the Jets came as a surprise to many, as Melrose was one of the team's leaders and thought of as a potential captain. After his playing career, he turned to coaching and in 1993, he led the Los Angeles Kings to the Stanley Cup finals. He was also a longtime television commentator for ESPN.
