Clare Drake Biography: Age, Wife, Children, Hockey Career, Hall of Fame, Net Worth, Death

Clare James Drake, who was widely known and addressed by his professional name Clare Drake, was a legendary Canadian ice hockey coach, football coach, educator, and sports strategist who achieved extraordinary recognition through his historic contributions to Canadian university athletics.

He rose to widespread prominence during his long-standing tenure with the Alberta Golden Bears ice hockey program, where he established one of the most successful coaching dynasties in collegiate sports history.

His popularity expanded because of his revolutionary tactical systems, remarkable championship record, and his influence on generations of athletes and coaches across North America.

Beyond university hockey, his leadership of the Canadian national men’s hockey team during international tournaments, including the prestigious Spengler Cup, solidified his reputation as one of the greatest coaching figures in Canadian sports history.

His work as both an educator and athletic innovator permanently influenced modern hockey instruction and university athletic development.

Clare Drake
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Clare James Drake
Stage Name:	Clare Drake
Born:	October 9, 1928
Died:	May 13, 2018, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Place of Birth:	Yorkton
State Of Origin:	Saskatchewan
Nationality:	Canadian
Ethnicity:	Canadian
Religion:	Christianity
Parents:	Clarence Drake and Grace Drake
Siblings:	N/A
Spouse:	Dolly Drake
Relationship:	Married
Children:	Debbie Drake and Jami Drake
Occupation:	Ice Hockey Coach, Football Coach, and Educator
Net Worth:	$1.5 million

Early Life and Education

Clare James Drake, popularly recognized by the public as Clare Drake, would have been 98 years old in 2026 and was born on October 9, 1928.

He spent his childhood years in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada, where he was raised in a household strongly connected to academics and community leadership.

His father, Clarence Drake, worked as a high school principal, while his mother Grace Drake contributed to maintaining a disciplined and education-focused family environment.

Growing up in Saskatchewan during the early twentieth century exposed him to the deeply rooted traditions of Canadian athletics, particularly hockey and football, which later became central to his professional identity.

His upbringing also reflected traditional Christian family values common within the region during that era.

For his higher education, he enrolled at University of British Columbia, where he earned a Bachelor of Physical Education degree in 1951.

He later continued his academic journey at University of Alberta, obtaining a Bachelor of Education degree in 1954.

Seeking to further develop his expertise in coaching and athletic administration, he also pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Washington and the University of Oregon.

In recognition of his exceptional contributions to sports and education, the University of Alberta later awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1995.

Personal Life

Clare Drake personal life was defined by his lifelong dedication to family, education, and athletics.

He was married to his wife Dolly Drake for many decades, and their marriage remained stable throughout his extensive coaching career.

Together, they established their family home in Edmonton, where they raised their two children, Debbie Drake and Jami Drake.

Despite the demanding nature of collegiate and international coaching, he remained deeply committed to his role as a husband and father.

There were no public records of divorce, separation, or major domestic controversies associated with his personal life.

In later years, he also became a grandfather and great-grandfather, maintaining strong family relationships until his passing in 2018.

Career

Clare Drake professional career began in educational athletics, where he initially worked as a coach and athletic director at Strathcona Composite High School in Alberta.

His major breakthrough arrived in 1958 when he became head coach of the University of Alberta Golden Bears hockey team, beginning a historic coaching tenure that lasted nearly three decades.

Under his leadership, the Golden Bears developed into one of the most dominant university hockey programs in Canadian history.

Over the course of his coaching career, he accumulated hundreds of victories and guided the team to numerous national championships.

His tactical innovations transformed collegiate hockey strategy, particularly through advanced forechecking systems, structured defensive coverage, and modern special-teams concepts that later influenced professional hockey organizations.

In addition to hockey, he also coached the University of Alberta football team and achieved remarkable success, including leading the program to a national championship victory during the 1967–1968 season.

His ability to succeed at an elite level across multiple sports demonstrated his extraordinary understanding of athletic leadership and competitive systems.

On the international stage, he served as a coach for the Canadian men’s national hockey team during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.

He later led Team Canada to its first-ever gold medal victory at the Spengler Cup in 1984, further enhancing his international coaching reputation.

His influence also extended into professional hockey through coaching roles with the Edmonton Oilers during the World Hockey Association era, as well as assistant coaching positions with the Winnipeg Jets and the Dallas Stars.

Throughout his career, he mentored countless athletes and future coaches who later advanced into professional hockey, university athletics, and international sports leadership roles.

Awards

• Inductee into the Canada Sports Hall of Fame (1989)
• Recipient of the University of Alberta Great Bear Award (1989)
• Recipient of the Coaching Association of Canada Geoff Gowan Award (2006)
• Inductee into the Alberta Order of Excellence (2008)
• Member of the Order of Canada (2013)
• Inductee into the Order of Hockey in Canada (2014)
• Inductee into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Builder Category (2017)

Net Worth

Clare James Drake had an estimated net worth of approximately $1.5 million.

His financial earnings primarily originated from his lengthy career as a university educator, athletic director, and championship-winning hockey coach.

Death

The life of Clare James Drake came to an end on May 13, 2018, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where he passed away peacefully at the age of 89 following age-related health complications.

News of his passing prompted widespread tributes from universities, hockey organizations, former athletes, and professional sports institutions throughout Canada and beyond.

His legacy remains permanently preserved through the naming of the Clare Drake Arena at the University of Alberta, honoring his extraordinary impact on Canadian sports and education.

Social Media

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Books

• The Hockey Handbook (1991)
• Coaching Hockey Successfully (1997)
• Complete Hockey Instruction (2001)