Jack Evans (ice hockey)
| Jack Evans | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
April 21, 1928 Garnant, Wales, GBR | ||
| Died |
November 10, 1996 (aged 68) Manchester, CT, USA | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for |
New York Rangers Chicago Black Hawks | ||
| Playing career | 1946–1972 | ||
William John Trevor "Jack" Evans (April 21, 1928 – November 10, 1996) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and coach who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers and Chicago Black Hawks.
Early life
Evans was born in Garnant, Wales, but emigrated with his parents to Drumheller, Alberta in his youth. He spoke no English until he entered school, and later spoke the language with an elongated drawl; the similarities between Evans' manner of speaking and the traditional Southern accent led to him earning the nickname of "Tex" from teammates. Although he did not begin playing hockey until age 14, by age 20, a quick-learning Evans was a leading junior league defenceman and participated in the 1948 Memorial Cup. That same year, he signed a minor league contract with the Rangers.
Professional career
Evans played five games over the next two seasons, while gaining experience in the American Hockey League. He would then spend the next four years as the Rangers' seventh defenceman, moving in and out of the lineup as needed and serving as a valuable defensive reserve. During the 1954–55 NHL season, Evans finally cracked the regular lineup and worked significant minutes for the next three years on the blue line. In 1958, he was claimed by Chicago, where he would play in a similar role for his final four seasons. He was a member of the 1961 Stanley Cup winning team. In 1964, the Blackhawks released Evans, but the veteran continued to play in a variety of minor leagues until he finally retired in 1972 at the age of 44.
Coaching career
In 1974, Evans was hired to coach the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the WHL. After one season that included coach of the year honors, he was promoted to the parent club California Golden Seals. He coached the anemic franchise in its final year in the Bay Area and its two seasons as the Cleveland Barons before the financially troubled organization merged with the Minnesota North Stars in 1978 (only later to be reincarnated as the San Jose Sharks).
Evans returned to the ECHL bench before being hired by the Hartford Whalers in 1983. In his third season with the club, he earned a playoff berth, and in 1987, he led the club to a division title. A poor performance the following year resulted in Evans being fired midseason.
Death
Evans died of prostate cancer at his Manchester, Connecticut home in 1996 at the age of 68.[1]
NHL Coaching record
| Team | Year | Regular season | Post season | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | T | Pts | Finish | Result | ||
| California Golden Seals | 1975-76 | 80 | 27 | 42 | 11 | 65 | 4th in Adams | Missed Playoffs |
| Cleveland Barons | 1976-77 | 80 | 25 | 42 | 13 | 63 | 4th in Adams | Missed Playoffs |
| Cleveland Barons | 1977-78 | 80 | 22 | 45 | 13 | 57 | 4th in Adams | Missed Playoffs |
| Hartford Whalers | 1983-84 | 80 | 28 | 42 | 10 | 66 | 5th in Adams | Missed Playoffs |
| Hartford Whalers | 1984-85 | 80 | 30 | 41 | 9 | 69 | 4th in Adams | Missed Playoffs |
| Hartford Whalers | 1985-86 | 80 | 40 | 36 | 4 | 84 | 4th in Adams | Lost in 2nd Round |
| Hartford Whalers | 1986-87 | 80 | 43 | 30 | 7 | 93 | 1st in Adams | Lost in 1st Round |
| Hartford Whalers | 1987-88 | 54 | 22 | 25 | 7 | (77) | 4th in Adams | (fired) |
| Total | 614 | 237 | 303 | 74 | ||||
See also
References
External links
| Preceded by Bill McCreary, Sr. |
Head coach of the California Golden Seals / Cleveland Barons 1975–78 |
Succeeded by Position abolished |
| Preceded by John Cunniff Larry Pleau |
Head coach of the Hartford Whalers 1983–87 1987–89 |
Succeeded by Larry Pleau |