Dallas Drake is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over 15 seasons. He was born on February 4, 1969, in Trail, British Columbia, Canada. Drake began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Prince Albert Raiders in 1986. He played for the Raiders for three seasons before being drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the sixth round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.
Drake made his NHL debut with the Red Wings in the 1992-93 season. He played for the Red Wings for four seasons before being traded to the Winnipeg Jets in 1996. He played for the Jets for one season before being traded to the Phoenix Coyotes in 1997. Drake played for the Coyotes for four seasons before being traded back to the Red Wings in 2003.
Drake won his first and only Stanley Cup championship with the Red Wings in the 2007-08 season. He retired from professional hockey after the season. Drake played in a total of 1009 NHL games, scoring 177 goals and 301 assists for 478 points. He also had 929 penalty minutes.
Drake was known for his physical play and his ability to play both ends of the ice. He was a solid two-way forward who could score goals and also play strong defense. He was also a leader on and off the ice, serving as an alternate captain for several teams throughout his career.
After retiring from hockey, Drake became an assistant coach for the Northern Michigan University hockey team. He also started the Dallas Drake Foundation, which raises money for children with disabilities. The foundation hosts an annual golf tournament and other events to raise money for the cause.
In 2014, Drake was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Western Hockey League Hall of Fame in 2016. Drake's legacy as a hard-working, physical player who was also a leader and a philanthropist has made him a beloved figure in the hockey world.
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