Dean Prentice facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dean Prentice |
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| Born | October 5, 1932 Schumacher, Ontario, Canada |
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| Died | November 2, 2019 (aged 87) Cambridge, Ontario, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 165 lb (75 kg; 11 st 11 lb) | ||
| Position | Left Wing | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | New York Rangers Boston Bruins Detroit Red Wings Pittsburgh Penguins Minnesota North Stars |
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| Playing career | 1952–1974 | ||
Dean Sutherland Prentice (born October 5, 1932 – died November 2, 2019) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was a left winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for an amazing 22 seasons! That's a really long time to play at the top level of hockey. Dean Prentice scored 20 or more goals in 10 different NHL seasons. Throughout his long career, he played for several famous teams, including the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Minnesota North Stars.
Contents
Dean Prentice: A Hockey Legend
Early Days on the Ice
Before joining the big leagues, Dean Prentice played for the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters. He helped them win the 1952 Memorial Cup, which is a huge championship for junior hockey teams in Canada. The Mad Hatters were like a training team for the New York Rangers back then. Because he played so well, Dean Prentice moved up to play for the Rangers the very next season.
Skating Through the NHL
Dean Prentice had a long and exciting career in the NHL. He was known for his skill and toughness on the ice.
New York Rangers Years
In the 1950s, while playing for the New York Rangers, Dean Prentice was part of a strong attacking line with Andy Bathgate and Larry Popein. From 1955 to 1962, he was one of the top scorers in the league. He scored 163 goals and had 358 points during those years, showing how important he was to his team.
Toughness in Boston
In 1963, Dean Prentice was traded to the Boston Bruins. He showed incredible toughness while playing for them. In one game in 1964, he was knocked out after being tripped while trying to score. When he woke up, he still took the penalty shot and scored a goal! Later, doctors found out he had scored with a broken back. That shows how determined he was!
Chasing the Stanley Cup with Detroit
After playing for teams that didn't make the playoffs, Dean Prentice finally got to play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs when he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 1966. In his first season with Detroit, the Red Wings made it all the way to the 1966 Stanley Cup Final. Even though they didn't win the championship, Dean Prentice played a big part, scoring 10 points in 12 playoff games.
Later Years and Milestones
Dean Prentice later played for the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 1970, at 37 years old, he played in the NHL All-Star Game. He scored the only goal for his team in that game. In 1971, he moved to the Minnesota North Stars.
Over his entire NHL career, Dean Prentice played in 1,378 games. He scored 391 goals and made 469 assists, adding up to a total of 860 points. These are impressive numbers for any hockey player!
Life After Playing
Coaching the Game
After retiring as a player, Dean Prentice stayed involved in hockey. In 1974, he became a head coach for the New Haven Nighthawks in the American Hockey League (AHL). He also coached the Traverse City Bays. From 1980 to 1982, he was an assistant coach at the University of Guelph.
Family and Community
Dean Prentice was married to June, and they had two daughters, Kelly and Kerry. His brother, Eric Prentice, also played a few games in the NHL. Dean's nephew, Jim Prentice, later became a premier (like a governor) in Alberta, Canada. After his hockey career, Dean Prentice moved back to Ontario in 1977. He became the director of recreation for the town of Ayr, Ontario, helping people in his community enjoy sports and activities. Dean Prentice passed away on November 2, 2019, at the age of 87.
His Lasting Impact
In a book called 100 Ranger Greats, Dean Prentice was ranked as the 37th best player in the history of the New York Rangers. This shows how much he was respected and remembered for his time with the team.
Awards and Honors
Dean Prentice was recognized for his great play during his career.
- He was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team in 1960. This means he was considered one of the best players in his position that year.
- He played in the National Hockey League All-Star Game five times (in 1957, 1961, 1963, and 1970). Playing in the All-Star Game is a special honor that shows a player is one of the best in the league. His last All-Star appearance was in 1970 when he was 37 years old, which is quite old for a professional hockey player!
See also
- List of NHL players with 1000 games played
