Order of Hockey in Canada

Clare Drake - 2014 Order of Hockey in Canada Honouree

Hockey Accomplishments

  • Attended the University of British Columbia for three years, serving as captain of the Thunderbirds in his final season.
  • Graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical education from UBC in 1951.
  • Played one season with the University of Alberta, leading them to the Western Canada championship as co-scoring leader.
  • Earned a bachelor's degree in education at the U of A, then completed a master's degree in science at the University of Washington and further graduate work at the University of Oregon, before returning to Alberta to follow his calling as a teacher.
  • Joined the Golden Bears as interim head coach and won his first league championship in 1955, while teaching and coaching several teams at Strathcona Composite High School.
  • Named full-time head coach of the Golden Bears in 1958.
  • In 28 seasons behind the Alberta bench, led Alberta to six national championships and 17 Canada West titles.
  • Became the first coach in CIAU history to win 500 games in 1983.
  • On October 8, 1985, became the most successful coach in intercollegiate hockey history with his 556th victory.
  • When he retired after the 1988-89 season, he had amassed 697 wins, 296 losses and 37 ties for a .695 winning percentage.
  • Co-coach of the 1980 Canadian Olympic hockey team.
  • Coached the Canadian student national team at the World Student Games in 1972 (silver), 1978 (bronze) and 1981 (gold).
  • Won the 1984 Spengler Cup with Canada’s National Men’s Team
  • Took a leave of absence from the U of A in 1975 and 1976 to take the reins as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers of the World Hockey Association.
  • Named Edmonton Sportsman of the Year in 1975.
  • Conducted coaching workshops and clinics throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia, where he is recognized as one of the foremost Canadian authorities on the game.
  • Served as an assistant coach with the Winnipeg Jets in 1989-90.
  • Technical advisor to the University of Alberta women’s hockey team during the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons, the first two years in program history.
  • Worked with the Dallas Stars during the 2001 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
  • Mentor coach for Canada’s National Women’s Team leading up to the 1998 Olympic Winter Games.

Additional Background

  • Born January 9, 1928 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan
  • Head coach of the Golden Bears football team for three seasons in the 1960s, compiling a record of 23-4.
  • In 1967-68, he became the only coach in CIAU history to lead both football and hockey teams to a national title.

Honours

  • Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017.
  • Won the Geoff Gowan Award in 2006, the Coaching Association of Canada’s top honour.
  • Named to the Order of Excellence by the Province of Alberta in 2008, in recognition of his considerable contribution to “leadership and innovations in coaching and post-secondary sports education, particularly in the game of hockey.”
  • Named CIAU Coach of the Year twice and Canada West Coach of the Year four times.
  • Inducted into the University of Alberta Sports Wall of Fame in 1987.
  • Inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1989.
  • On June 1, 1990, the U of A dedicated Varsity Arena, the university’s hockey rink, to him and renamed it Clare Drake Arena.
  • CIS rookie of the year award is called the Clare Drake Award.

 

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2017 OHC recipients honoured at HCF gala
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