Dallas Drake
Encyclopedia
Dallas James Drake is a retired Canadian
professional ice hockey
winger
in the National Hockey League
who last played for the Detroit Red Wings
. Previously, Drake played for the Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes
, and St. Louis Blues
. Drake played his college hockey at Northern Michigan University
.
in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft
in the 6th round, 116th overall. During his junior year at Northern Michigan
, he was a key factor in the team winning the 1991 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship
. In the final game, NMU teammate Darryl Plandowski scored the winning goal as the Wildcats defeated Boston University 8–7 in triple overtime. Following a stellar four-year college career, Drake made the Red Wings roster out of training camp without playing in the minor leagues. He enjoyed a fine rookie season in 1992–93, posting 44 points on 18 goals and 26 assists. The following season he was part of a trade that saw him shipped to the Winnipeg Jets along with goaltender Tim Cheveldae
. The Red Wings received goaltender Bob Essensa
and defenceman Sergei Bautin
in return. The trade was generally a wash for the Wings, as Essensa appeared in only 13 games and was not a factor in the playoffs. Drake went on to have a successful role on the checking lines and penalty kill units of the Winnipeg/Phoenix Coyotes
organization.
While on the Phoenix Coyotes
, the Phoeniz-area band, Stone Bogart, wrote and recorded a the song "Dallas Drake", depicting many great moments by the player and clipping various radio broadcasts. The song was used on ESPN and ABC broadcasts of NHL games for the few years following the song's release.
Drake has become known as a tenacious skater and a tough customer in the corners. Although as a pro, he's never been the goal scorer he was in college, his knowledge of the game, leadership and fierce competitiveness allowed him to skate in 1009 NHL
games. Since 1992, he was sent to the minor leagues only once. In the 1993–1994 season, Drake skated one game in Adirondack
on a rehab assignment, scoring two goals before returning to Detroit the following day and finishing with 10 goals and 22 assists.
Drake signed with the St. Louis Blues
for the 2000–01 season, and remained with the organization for six seasons. He achieved his career high in goals with 20 during the 2002–03 season, and was named captain
for the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons.
Drake was placed on waivers by the Blues on June 26, 2007 with the purpose of buying out his contract. On July 9, 2007, he was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Detroit Red Wings
to a one-year, $550,000 contract. He had considered ending his professional career with other NHL teams, but chose to return to Detroit in hopes of winning a Stanley Cup
with the club that had drafted him over 16 years prior. On June 4, 2008 those dreams were realized when Detroit defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins
to win their 11th franchise Stanley Cup
championship. During the on ice post-game celebrations Detroit captain Nicklas Lidström
passed the Stanley Cup to Drake first.
On July 15, 2008 Drake announced his retirement from the NHL. Coach Mike Babcock
recently was quoted saying, "The thing that stands out in my mind is he's a family man; he was totally committed to our team. He drove us with his passion [and] his physicallity. He was a true professional, and the guys wanted to win for him. You can never replace the will of a quality, quality man and quality veteran."
and still spends time in Marquette, Michigan
. He has four children, Jakson, Delaney, Darby, and Dysen. Both Jakson and Delaney play youth hockey in Traverse City. Dallas Drake coaches Delaney's hockey team.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
winger
Winger (ice hockey)
Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...
in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
who last played for the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
. Previously, Drake played for the Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
, and St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
. Drake played his college hockey at Northern Michigan University
Northern Michigan University
Northern Michigan University is a four-year college public university established in 1899 located in Marquette, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. With a population of nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Northern Michigan University is the Upper Peninsula's largest...
.
Playing career
Dallas Drake was drafted by the Detroit Red WingsDetroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft
1989 NHL Entry Draft
The 1989 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 17 at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota. Some believe that the Detroit Red Wings' 1989 draft was the most successful ever, with 5,721 total NHL games played by the players selected.-Selections by round:...
in the 6th round, 116th overall. During his junior year at Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan University
Northern Michigan University is a four-year college public university established in 1899 located in Marquette, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. With a population of nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Northern Michigan University is the Upper Peninsula's largest...
, he was a key factor in the team winning the 1991 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship
NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship
The annual NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship tournament determines the top men's ice hockey team in NCAA Division I and Division III. The semi-finals and finals of the Division I Championship are branded as the Frozen Four, a passing nod to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship - known...
. In the final game, NMU teammate Darryl Plandowski scored the winning goal as the Wildcats defeated Boston University 8–7 in triple overtime. Following a stellar four-year college career, Drake made the Red Wings roster out of training camp without playing in the minor leagues. He enjoyed a fine rookie season in 1992–93, posting 44 points on 18 goals and 26 assists. The following season he was part of a trade that saw him shipped to the Winnipeg Jets along with goaltender Tim Cheveldae
Tim Cheveldae
Timothy M. Cheveldae is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender. During his ten year National Hockey League career, he played with the Detroit Red Wings, Winnipeg Jets, and Boston Bruins.-Playing career:...
. The Red Wings received goaltender Bob Essensa
Bob Essensa
Robert Earle Essensa is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey goaltender who spent 12 seasons in the National Hockey League...
and defenceman Sergei Bautin
Sergei Bautin
Sergei Vladimirovich Bautin is a retired ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for the Winnipeg Jets, Detroit Red Wings and the San Jose Sharks....
in return. The trade was generally a wash for the Wings, as Essensa appeared in only 13 games and was not a factor in the playoffs. Drake went on to have a successful role on the checking lines and penalty kill units of the Winnipeg/Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
organization.
While on the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
, the Phoeniz-area band, Stone Bogart, wrote and recorded a the song "Dallas Drake", depicting many great moments by the player and clipping various radio broadcasts. The song was used on ESPN and ABC broadcasts of NHL games for the few years following the song's release.
Drake has become known as a tenacious skater and a tough customer in the corners. Although as a pro, he's never been the goal scorer he was in college, his knowledge of the game, leadership and fierce competitiveness allowed him to skate in 1009 NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
games. Since 1992, he was sent to the minor leagues only once. In the 1993–1994 season, Drake skated one game in Adirondack
Adirondack
__notoc__Adirondack may refer to:*Adirondack Mountains, *Adirondack County, New York, a proposed county in New York...
on a rehab assignment, scoring two goals before returning to Detroit the following day and finishing with 10 goals and 22 assists.
Drake signed with the St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
for the 2000–01 season, and remained with the organization for six seasons. He achieved his career high in goals with 20 during the 2002–03 season, and was named captain
Captain (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...
for the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons.
Drake was placed on waivers by the Blues on June 26, 2007 with the purpose of buying out his contract. On July 9, 2007, he was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
to a one-year, $550,000 contract. He had considered ending his professional career with other NHL teams, but chose to return to Detroit in hopes of winning a Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
with the club that had drafted him over 16 years prior. On June 4, 2008 those dreams were realized when Detroit defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
to win their 11th franchise Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
championship. During the on ice post-game celebrations Detroit captain Nicklas Lidström
Nicklas Lidström
Nicklas Erik Lidström is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenseman who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings, and is their captain...
passed the Stanley Cup to Drake first.
On July 15, 2008 Drake announced his retirement from the NHL. Coach Mike Babcock
Mike Babcock
Michael "Mike" Babcock, Jr. is a Canadian professional ice hockey head coach of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League and former player. He serves as head coach of the Red Wings. He also served as the head coach of Team Canada in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver...
recently was quoted saying, "The thing that stands out in my mind is he's a family man; he was totally committed to our team. He drove us with his passion [and] his physicallity. He was a true professional, and the guys wanted to win for him. You can never replace the will of a quality, quality man and quality veteran."
Personal
Drake lives with his family in Traverse City, MichiganTraverse City, Michigan
Traverse City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Grand Traverse County, although a small portion extends into Leelanau County. It is the largest city in the 21-county Northern Michigan region. The population was 14,674 at the 2010 census, with 143,372 in the Traverse...
and still spends time in Marquette, Michigan
Marquette, Michigan
Marquette is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Marquette County. The population was 21,355 at the 2010 census, making it the most populated city of the Upper Peninsula. Marquette is a major port on Lake Superior, primarily for shipping iron ore and is the home of Northern...
. He has four children, Jakson, Delaney, Darby, and Dysen. Both Jakson and Delaney play youth hockey in Traverse City. Dallas Drake coaches Delaney's hockey team.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1987–88 | Vernon Lakers | BCJHL | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1988–89 | Northern Michigan University Northern Michigan University Northern Michigan University is a four-year college public university established in 1899 located in Marquette, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. With a population of nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Northern Michigan University is the Upper Peninsula's largest... |
NCAA | 45 | 18 | 24 | 42 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | Northern Michigan University | NCAA | 36 | 13 | 24 | 37 | 42 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | Northern Michigan University | NCAA | 44 | 22 | 36 | 58 | 89 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Northern Michigan University | NCAA | 40 | 39 | 44 | 83 | 58 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
72 | 18 | 26 | 44 | 93 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | ||
| 1993–94 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 47 | 10 | 22 | 32 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 1993–94 AHL season The 1993–94 AHL season was the 58th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The St. John's Maple Leafs finished first overall in the regular season... |
Adirondack Red Wings Adirondack Red Wings The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 15 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 43 | 8 | 18 | 26 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 69 | 19 | 20 | 39 | 36 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1996–97 | Phoenix Coyotes Phoenix Coyotes The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena.... |
NHL | 63 | 17 | 19 | 36 | 52 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 1997–98 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 60 | 11 | 29 | 40 | 71 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 1998–99 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 53 | 9 | 22 | 31 | 65 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 4 | ||
| 1999–00 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 79 | 15 | 30 | 45 | 62 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 2000–01 | St. Louis Blues St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade... |
NHL | 82 | 12 | 29 | 41 | 71 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 16 | ||
| 2001–02 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 80 | 11 | 15 | 26 | 87 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||
| 2002–03 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 80 | 20 | 10 | 30 | 66 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 23 | ||
| 2003–04 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 79 | 13 | 22 | 35 | 65 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 2004–05 | Did not play — Lockout | NHL | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 62 | 2 | 24 | 26 | 59 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 60 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 65 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 41 | 22 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 12 | ||
| NHL totals | 1009 | 177 | 300 | 477 | 885 | 90 | 14 | 19 | 33 | 79 | ||||