Playing career

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 Wildcats 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.

While on the Phoenix Coyotes, the Phoenix-area band, Stone Bogart, wrote and recorded the song "Dallas Drake," depicting many great moments by the player and clipping various radio broadcasts. The song was used on ESPN and ABC broadcasts of NHL games for the few years following the song's release.

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 1009 NHL games. 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 to a one-year, $550,000 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 had drafted him over 16 years prior. On June 4, 2008 those dreams were realized when Detroit defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins to win their 11th franchise Stanley Cup championship. During the on ice post-game celebrations Detroit captain Nicklas Lidström passed the Stanley Cup to Drake first.

On July 15, 2008 Drake announced his retirement from the NHL. Coach Mike Babcock recently was quoted saying, "The thing that stands out in my mind is he's a family man; he was totally committed to our team. He drove us with his passion his physicallity. He was a true professional, and the guys wanted to win for him. You can never replace the will of a quality, quality man and quality veteran."

Personal

Drake lives with his family in Traverse City, Michigan and still spends time in Marquette, Michigan. He has four children, Jakson, Delaney, Darby, and Dysen. Both Jakson and Delaney play youth hockey in Traverse City. Dallas Drake coaches Dysen's hockey team.

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1987-88	Vernon Lakers	BCJHL		—	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1988-89	Northern Michigan University	NCAA		45	18	24	42	26		—	—	—	—	—
1989-90	Northern Michigan University	NCAA		36	13	24	37	42		—	—	—	—	—
1990-91	Northern Michigan University	NCAA		44	22	36	58	89		—	—	—	—	—
1991-92	Northern Michigan University	NCAA		40	39	44	83	58		—	—	—	—	—
1992-93	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		72	18	26	44	93		7	3	3	6	6
1993-94	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		47	10	22	32	37		—	—	—	—	—
1993-94	Adirondack Red Wings	AHL		1	2	0	2	0		—	—	—	—	—
1993-94	Winnipeg Jets	NHL		15	3	5	8	12		—	—	—	—	—
1994-95	Winnipeg Jets	NHL		43	8	18	26	30		—	—	—	—	—
1995-96	Winnipeg Jets	NHL		69	19	20	39	36		3	0	0	0	0
1996-97	Phoenix Coyotes	NHL		63	17	19	36	52		7	0	1	1	2
1997-98	Phoenix Coyotes	NHL		60	11	29	40	71		4	0	1	1	2
1998-99	Phoenix Coyotes	NHL		53	9	22	31	65		7	4	3	7	4
1999-00	Phoenix Coyotes	NHL		79	15	30	45	62		5	0	1	1	4
2000-01	St. Louis Blues	NHL		82	12	29	41	71		15	4	2	6	16
2001-02	St. Louis Blues	NHL		80	11	15	26	87		8	0	0	0	8
2002-03	St. Louis Blues	NHL		80	20	10	30	66		7	1	4	5	23
2003-04	St. Louis Blues	NHL		79	13	22	35	65		5	1	1	2	2
2004-05	Did not play — Lockout	NHL		—	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
2005-06	St. Louis Blues	NHL		62	2	24	26	59		—	—	—	—	—
2006-07	St. Louis Blues	NHL		60	6	6	12	38		—	—	—	—	—
2007-08	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		65	3	3	6	41		22	1	3	4	12
NHL totals				1009	177	300	477	885		90	14	19	33	79

Awards and honors

• Stanley cup champion 2008

[ Source: Wikipedia ]