Minnesota Wild General Manager Bill Guerin today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has named Dean Evason its full-time Head Coach. As part of today’s announcement, Evason has signed a two-year extension with the organization through the 2021-22 season.
“I am very excited to announce that Dean Evason is our full-time head coach,” said Guerin. “Dean has done a fantastic job as our interim head coach and deserves this opportunity. I look forward to watching our team under his leadership going forward.”
Evason was named interim Head Coach of the Wild on Feb. 14, 2020, and led the team to an 8-4-0 record (.667). He is in his second season with Minnesota after being named an Assistant Coach on June 6, 2018. He joined the Wild after spending six seasons (2012-18) as Head Coach of the Milwaukee Admirals in the American Hockey League (AHL), leading the team to a record of 242-161-53 (.588). Prior to serving as the Admirals Head Coach, Evason spent seven seasons as an Assistant Coach with the Washington Capitals (2005-12). During his tenure with Washington, the Capitals went 294-206-74 (.576) and claimed four straight Southeast Division titles, advanced to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in his last five seasons (2008-12) and won the 2010 Presidents’ Trophy. Prior to joining the Capitals, the Flin Flon, Man., native spent six seasons as a Head Coach in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Evason served as co-coach of the Calgary Hitmen in 2004-05, head coach of the Vancouver Giants for two seasons (2002-04) and Head Coach of the Kamloops Blazers for three seasons (1999-02).
He totaled 372 points (139-233=372) and 1,002 penalty minutes (PIM) in 803 career NHL games during 13 seasons (1983-96) as a center with the Capitals, Hartford Whalers, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames. Evason added 29 points (9-20=29) and 132 PIM in 55 Stanley Cup Playoff contests. He served as a player/coach for Team Canada during the 1996-97 season, captaining the team to a gold medal at the 1997 World Championship. Evason retired as a player following two seasons as a player/coach with Landshut in the German League (1997-99). He was selected by Washington in the fifth round (89th overall) of the 1982 NHL Entry Draft.
Evason has three children, Bryce, Brianne and Brooke, and is married to Genevieve.
(info courtesy of Minnesota Wild)