Dean Clark
Encyclopedia
Dean Clark is a former ice hockey
defenceman and head coach of the Prince George Cougars
. He played hockey with the Ferris State University Bulldogs in 1982-83. Dean Clark is also the former head coach of the Kamloops Blazers
of the Western Hockey League
. He was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers
in the 8th round, 164th overall in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft
and played one NHL game for the Oilers.
Clark spent three years playing in the Western Hockey League
With the Kamloops Blazers
from 1982–85, where he won a President's Cup
in 1984 with the Blazers. Clark's one game with the Oilers in 1983–84 was the only professional game he played.
Clark returned to the game in 1996 as head coach of the Calgary Hitmen
after Graham James was forced to resign as Calgary's prior to the start of that season. In his first full year as Hitmen coach, Clark guided the formerly woeful franchise to a division title. This accomplishment earned him the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy
as WHL coach of the year. He was also named the CHL coach of the year
. The next year, in 1998–99, he guided the Hitmen to their first WHL championship
.
Clark left the Hitmen after two more successful seasons after compiling a mark of 183–118–30–3. He holds the Hitmen records for games coached, wins, winning percentage and playoff wins.
Clark coached the Brandon Wheat Kings
from 2001–03 before moving onto his position as coach of the Blazers. He was fired in his fourth season as Blazers coach on November 7, 2007. Clark recorded his 300th win as a coach with the Blazers in 2005, and is among the top ten winningest coaches in WHL playoff history.
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...
defenceman and head coach of the Prince George Cougars
Prince George Cougars
The Prince George Cougars are a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. The team is based in Prince George, British Columbia, and plays its home games at the CN Centre...
. He played hockey with the Ferris State University Bulldogs in 1982-83. Dean Clark is also the former head coach of the Kamloops Blazers
Kamloops Blazers
The Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League based out of Kamloops, British Columbia. They play their home games at Interior Savings Centre.-History:...
of the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
. He was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
in the 8th round, 164th overall in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft
1982 NHL Entry Draft
The 1982 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec. The National Hockey League teams selected 252 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the 1981–82 NHL season and playoff standings. This is the list of those players...
and played one NHL game for the Oilers.
Clark spent three years playing in the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
With the Kamloops Blazers
Kamloops Blazers
The Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League based out of Kamloops, British Columbia. They play their home games at Interior Savings Centre.-History:...
from 1982–85, where he won a President's Cup
President's Cup (WHL)
The Ed Chynoweth Cup is an ice hockey club championship trophy awarded to the playoff champion of the Western Hockey League . Originally called the President's Cup when the league was founded in 1966, the trophy was renamed in 2007 to honour Ed Chynoweth's long service to junior hockey in Canada...
in 1984 with the Blazers. Clark's one game with the Oilers in 1983–84 was the only professional game he played.
Clark returned to the game in 1996 as head coach of the Calgary Hitmen
Calgary Hitmen
The Calgary Hitmen are a major junior ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Hitmen play in the Central Division of the Western Hockey League . They play their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Bret "The Hitman" Hart, a local-born professional wrestler, was a founding owner...
after Graham James was forced to resign as Calgary's prior to the start of that season. In his first full year as Hitmen coach, Clark guided the formerly woeful franchise to a division title. This accomplishment earned him the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy
Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy
The Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the Coach of the Year in the Western Hockey League. It was named in honour of Dunc McCallum, who coached the Brandon Wheat Kings from 1976–81, compiling a 251–123–41 record during that time, winning the WHL Championship in 1979.-List of...
as WHL coach of the year. He was also named the CHL coach of the year
Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award
The Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award is given out annually to the coach of the year in the Canadian Hockey League . Originally called the CHL Coach of the Year Award, the trophy was renamed in 2003 to honour Brian Kilrea when he won his 1,000th game as the coach of the Ottawa 67's...
. The next year, in 1998–99, he guided the Hitmen to their first WHL championship
President's Cup (WHL)
The Ed Chynoweth Cup is an ice hockey club championship trophy awarded to the playoff champion of the Western Hockey League . Originally called the President's Cup when the league was founded in 1966, the trophy was renamed in 2007 to honour Ed Chynoweth's long service to junior hockey in Canada...
.
Clark left the Hitmen after two more successful seasons after compiling a mark of 183–118–30–3. He holds the Hitmen records for games coached, wins, winning percentage and playoff wins.
Clark coached the Brandon Wheat Kings
Brandon Wheat Kings
The Brandon Wheat Kings are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Brandon, Manitoba. They compete in the Western Hockey League, and joined the league in the 1967–68 season. Prior to that they played in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and were known as the Brandon Elks for a short time in the...
from 2001–03 before moving onto his position as coach of the Blazers. He was fired in his fourth season as Blazers coach on November 7, 2007. Clark recorded his 300th win as a coach with the Blazers in 2005, and is among the top ten winningest coaches in WHL playoff history.