SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Minnesota Wild General Manager Paul Fenton today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has named Dean Evason as an assistant coach. The team also announced today it will not renew the contract of assistant coach John Anderson.
Evason, 53, spent the last 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, he spent seven seasons as an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals (2005-12), serving under current Minnesota Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau for parts of five seasons (2007-12). During Evason's tenure with Washington, the Capitals went 294-206-74 (.576) and claimed four straight Southeast Division titles, advanced to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of his last five seasons (2008-12) and won the 2010 Presidents' Trophy. His responsibilities with the Capitals included faceoffs (Washington finished in the NHL's Top 10 in faceoff percentage in five of his seven seasons), the penalty kill (which finished as high as second in the League under his watch (2010-11) and being in charge of the team's forwards.
Prior to joining the Capitals, the Flin Flon, Man., native spent six seasons as a head coach in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He 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).
Evason 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. He added 29 points (9-20=29) and 132 PIM in 55 Stanley Cup Playoff contests. Evason played three seasons with Wild General Manager Paul Fenton in the Hartford (1984-86) and San Jose (1991-92) organizations. He was originally selected by Washington in the fifth round (89th overall) of the 1982 NHL Entry Draft.
An honored member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame, Evason 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. He retired as a player following two seasons as a player/coach with Landshut in the German League (1997-99).
Evason has three children, Bryce, Brianne and Brooke, and is married to Genevieve.