Dallas Drake (born Dallas James Drake, February 4,
1969 in Trail, British Columbia) is a Canadian
professional ice hockey right winger in the National
Hockey League who plays for the Detroit Red Wings.
Previously, Drake played for the Winnipeg
Jets/Phoenix Coyotes, and St. Louis Blues. Drake
played his college hockey at Northern Michigan
University.
Dallas Drake was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in
the 1989 NHL Entry Draft in the 6th round, 116th
overall. During his junior year at Northern
Michigan, he was a key factor in the team winning
the 1991 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship. In the
final game, NMU teammate Darryl Plandowski scored
the winning goal as the Wilcats defeated Boston
University 8–7 in triple overtime. Following a
stellar four-year college career, Drake made the Red
Wings roster out of training camp without playing in
the minor leagues. He enjoyed a fine rookie season
in 1992–93, posting 44 points on 18 goals and 26
assists. The following season he was part of a trade
that saw him shipped to the Winnipeg Jets along with
goaltender Tim Cheveldae. The Red Wings received
goaltender Bob Essensa and defenceman Sergei Bautin
in return. The trade was generally a wash for the
Wings, as Essensa appeared in only 13 games and was
not a factor in the playoffs. Drake went on to have
a successful role on the checking lines and penalty
kill units of the Winnipeg/Phoenix Coyotes
organization.
Drake has become known as a tenacious skater and a
tough customer in the corners. Although as a pro,
he's never been the goal scorer he was in college,
his knowledge of the game, leadership and fierce
competitiveness allowed him to skate in over 1000
NHL games and counting. Since 1992, he was sent to
the minor leagues only once. In the 1993–1994
season, Drake skated one game in Adirondack on a
rehab assignment, scoring two goals before returning
to Detroit the following day and finishing with 10
goals and 22 assists.
Drake signed with the St. Louis Blues for the
2000–01 season, and remained with the organization
for six seasons. He achieved his career high in
goals with 20 during the 2002–03 season, and was
named captain for the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons.
Drake was placed on waivers by the Blues on June 26,
2007 with the purpose of buying out his contract. On
July 9, 2007, he was signed as an unrestricted free
agent by the Detroit Red Wings and signed a
one-year, $550,000 (USD) contract. He had considered
ending his professional career with other NHL teams,
but chose to return to Detroit in hopes of winning a
Stanley Cup with the club that drafted him.
Drake makes his off-season home in Traverse City,
Michigan and still spends time in Marquette,
Michigan where he's been involved in several youth
hockey camps.
He's also a talented softball player and a scratch
golfer.
