Canucks: Kevin Dean brings big defensive book of work as new assistant coach

National Post

2 days ago

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The former NHL defenceman, who also served an assistant coach with the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins for the last eight seasons, is expected to join new Vancouver Canucks head coach Adam Foote behind the bench.
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His book of work suggests he is up for the challenge because the chapters span the sports spectrum of ecstasy and agony.
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Dean won two titles in 1995 as a big stay-at-home blueliner. The fifth-round selection of the New Jersey in the 1987 NHL Draft got his name on the Stanley Cup with the Devils, and also won a Calder Cup that season with the AHL affiliate Albany River Rats.
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New Jersey had Jacques Lemaire — the lover of low-event hockey — as head coach and Hockey Hall of Fame defenceman Larry Robinson as one of his assistants. Aside from that tutelage, Dean also played on the back end with veteran hard-rock Scott Stevens and emerging young star Scott Niedermayer. Quite the master class of instruction.
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Dean also suited up for the lowly Atlanta Thrashers in 23 forgetful games in 1999-2000 before moving on to the Dallas Stars. The Thrashers finished a league-worst 14-57-7-4 and were last in goals for, against and face-offs. Their leading goal scorers were Andrew Brunette (23) and Ray Ferraro (19).
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Dean would log 331 regular-season games with four teams and had 55 points (7-48) and 138 penalty minutes, the mark of a guy who took care of his own end. He retired as a player due to a heart condition and applied his knowledge as a coach in the AHL and ECHL before transitioning to the NHL.
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The Madison, Wisc. native had five seasons as an assistant with the Boston Bruins and then three with the Chicago Blackhawks. His latest run ended this season. Dean was also an assistant for Team USA at the world championship in May, where the Americans ended a 92-year title drought.
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I know we are in the midst of coach talk.
But don't let it distract you from this wholesome picture of Alex Vlasic, Frank Nazar, and Kevin Dean🇺🇸
📸 via Instagram/ @ usahockey #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/q3sntGj58k
— Brooke (@brooke_lofo) May 16, 2025
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In Boston, Dean became a close confidant of head coach Bruce Cassidy and had control of a back end when he arrived for the 2017-18 season. It featured top prospects in Charlie McAvoy, 19, Brandon Carlo, 20, and Matt Grzelecyk, 23. They were thrown into deep end of the competitive pool, logged 63, 76, and 61 games respectively, and were better for the experience.
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'Dino (Dean) has done a really good job of showing me videos of situations where I can shoot — where I can go down the wall or get to the middle,' Carlo told the Boston Globe. 'So I feel that's been a lot of good help from him.'
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The Canucks will have Elias Pettersson, 21, Victor Mancini, 23, as part of their defensive mix next season and prospect Tom Willander, 20, could also see NHL games along with Kirill Kudryavtsev, 21. That plays right into Dean's development hand.
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In the neutral zone, Cassidy and Dean had players keep tight gaps. Blueliners were then taught pursue at an angle to force puck carriers to the outside instead a higher percentage of advancement through middle. Dean also instructed his blueliners to play within the face-offs dots in the defensive zone.