Former NHL Defenseman Emerges as Frontrunner for Vancouver Canucks Assistant Coaching Job
A former National Hockey League defenseman has emerged as a potential candidate for the Vancouver Canucks as they search for a couple of Assistant Coaches to join Adam Foote's staff next season.
The Vancouver Canucks announced the promotion of Adam Foote from Assistant Coach to bench boss next season following the departure of Rick Tocchet to the Philadelphia Flyers.
With Foote being promoted, himself and Patrik Allvin are going to be searching this summer to add a couple of assistants to his staff and in the last 14 days, a number of potential options have emerged including Luke Richardson, Bob Boughner and Gerard Gallant, among others.
Former NHL defenseman emerges as possible Assistant Coaching candidate for Vancouver Canucks
In a post on social media on Thursday morning, Rick Dhaliwal reported that former NHL defenseman Kevin Dean, who was an Assistant Coach for the Chicago Blackhawks and on the bench as Team USA won their first World Championship in over 90 years last week, could be an option for the Vancouver Canucks.
"Lots of teams after assistant coach Kevin Dean who was let go in Chicago.
Would not be surprised if he is on the #Canucks radar." Dhaliwal shared.
Would not be surprised if he is on the #Canucks radar." Dhaliwal shared.
Dhaliwal expanded on that possibility during Thursday's edition of Donnie & Dhali, saying to keep an eye out for Kevin Dean as a fit in Vancouver, adding that he's a high-end defensive coach.
One source told Dhaliwal that Dean is good with the kids, which would work quite well with the Vancouver Canucks given the prospects they have that are close to being in the NHL on a full-time basis - Elias Pettersson, Victor Mancini and Tom Willander.
"Keep an eye on a guy named Kevin Dean as a possible fit in Vancouver as an Assistant Coach on Adam Foote's staff. Dean was let go by the Chicago Blackhawks a couple of weeks ago. High-end defensive coach. Has been an assistant in Chicago and Boston the last seven years. Derek Forbort had him in Boston a few years ago. He was just an assistant on that US team that won the Worlds for the first time in 92 years." Dhaliwal said.
He added, "the Canucks really like this guy. League source on Dean says he's a smart defensive coach that's great with the kids. Who's coming up the ranks right now for the Canucks? D-Petey, Mancini, Willander. Canucks have three young defensemen coming up through the ranks. You want a defensive coach who's good with the kids? This is the guy. Kevin Dean."
He added, "the Canucks really like this guy. League source on Dean says he's a smart defensive coach that's great with the kids. Who's coming up the ranks right now for the Canucks? D-Petey, Mancini, Willander. Canucks have three young defensemen coming up through the ranks. You want a defensive coach who's good with the kids? This is the guy. Kevin Dean."
Dean, 56, was a fifth round pick of the New Jersey Devils back in 1987 and went on to appear in 331 games with them, the Atlanta Thrashers, Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks before retiring after 2001-02 season, which he spent in the AHL.
A few years after retiring, Dean turned his attention to coaching, starting out in the American Hockey League with the Lowell Devils and Providence Bruins before making the jump to the NHL with Boston in 2017-18, helping them reach the Stanley Cup Final as an assistant during his season season behind the bench.
With young defensemen such as Tom Willander, Victor Mancini, Elias Pettersson and a few others on the cusp of being in the NHL on a full-time basis, the Vancouver Canucks should absolutely consider Mike Dean as an option to join their coaching staff.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
MAI 29 | 949 ANSWERS Former NHL Defenseman Emerges as Frontrunner for Vancouver Canucks Assistant Coaching Job Should the Vancouver Canucks hire Kevin Dean as an Assistant Coach? | ||
| Yes | 529 | 55.7 % |
| No | 420 | 44.3 % |
| List of polls | ||