Dean Clark
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dean Clark (born January 16, 1964 in Edmonton, Alberta) is a former ice hockey defenceman. He played hockey with the Ferris State University Bulldogs in 1982. 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 Junior Oilers/Blazers from 1982–85, where he won a President's Cup in 1984 with the Junior Oilers. 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 formely 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, and only, 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 current 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.
