Former Alberta Golden Bears hockey coach Clare Drake passed away Saturday at the age of 89.
The team sent a message on Twitter Sunday, saying: “It is a sad day for Golden Bears Hockey.
“Last night we lost Coach Drake. At this time we would like to extend our condolences to his wife Dolly and the rest of his family.
“What Clare Drake did for the game of hockey is truly staggering,” the team wrote. “You will never be forgotten Coach.”
Drake coached the University of Alberta Golden Bears hockey team to a record 697 wins, 17 conference titles and six University Cup championships.
Drake also coached the Bears football team, and in 1967-68, he became the only coach in CIAU history to lead both a football and hockey team to a national title.
In 1972, he coached the Canadian Student National Team to a silver medal at the World Student Games.
He coached the Canadian National Hockey Team in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.
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Drake coach the Edmonton Oilers of the WHA in the mid-1970s and was an assistant coach in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets in 1989-90.
In November 2017, Drake received hockey’s highest honour when he was inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame in the builders category. His grandson Mike Gabinet accepted on his behalf.
“I know gramps believes you get more fulfillment out of life if you contribute something bigger than yourself and it’s great to see him being honoured for that here tonight,” Gabinet during the acceptance speech.
Drake was honoured with many other accolades including inductions into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, the Order of Canada and the Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame.
The university also has an arena named in his honour.
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News of his passing spread quickly on social media, with many sharing memories of the legendary coach.
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