Kevin Dean

Kevin Charles Dean (born April 1, 1969) is an American former professional ice hockey player who most recently served as an assistant coach for the Vancouver Canucks in the National Hockey League (NHL). Dean played seven seasons in the NHL for the New Jersey Devils, Atlanta Thrashers, Dallas Stars, and Chicago Blackhawks.

Playing career Kevin Dean was drafted 86th overall in the 1987 NHL entry draft by the New Jersey Devils. He then played four years at the University of New Hampshire before transferring to the American Hockey League (AHL). In 1994–95 Dean helped the Albany River Rats win the AHL's Calder Cup championship. He made his NHL debut the same season and was a member of the Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils. Following a few seasons transferring between the minors and NHL, the Atlanta Thrashers claimed Dean in the 1999 NHL Expansion Draft. He would play for multiple teams in the NHL but never secure a permanent spot, retiring in 2002. Kevin Dean had to stop playing due to heart problems after ten years.

Coaching career Kevin Dean then became head coach of the Trenton Devils, the ECHL team owned and affiliated with the New Jersey Devils, from August 2006 through the 2010–11 season, after which the team suspended operations.

Prior to the 2011–12 season, he was named an assistant coach with the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League. He became the P-Bruins head coach on July 18, 2016. One season later, he was again promoted within the Bruins' organization to be an assistant coach with the Boston Bruins.

Dean served three seasons as an assistant coach for the Chicago Blackhawks, working with the team's defencemen. On June 5, 2025, Dean was hired by the Vancouver Canucks as an assistant coach to Adam Foote and succeeded Foote in his previous role as a defensive development coach. On May 19, 2026, the Canucks fired Foote and his coaching staff, including Dean, after the team finished the season in last place with a 25–49–8 record.

Dean also served as an assistant coach for Team USA at the 2025 IIHF World Championships, winning a gold medal.