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.