Chicago Blackhawks Coach Steps Away From Organization Due To Cancer Diagnosis

Kevin Dean finished his NHL career as a player with the Chicago Blackhawks. He's liked the organization long enough and has found a home as an assistant coach for the team.

Instead of joining Bruce Cassidy in Vegas as an assistant coach, he opted to join the Blackhawks as the rebuild kicked into gear.

Dean would join the Blackhawks during the 2022 postseason, to handle the defensive players in the lineup.

Since his arrival, we've seen some amazing talent prosper in the lineup, including Alex Vlasic, and with callups like Louis Crevier who has wowed us as a former seventh-round pick.

With a recent prostate cancer diagnosis he's had to battle for himself though and recently underwent the knife, according to Anders Sorensen.

He'd be seen today getting a look at Blackhawks practice after undergoing surgery to stop the cancer in its path. But he's taken a major step away, and is unable to be on the ice with his players.

While he hasn't been able to partake in skating, he was able to observe and offer an eye to the players who have become accustomed to him the last two years, as an assistant coach.

We hope he doesn't rush back in a way that negatively affects his health, but we know he takes pride in his job, especially after making it a point to come back so soon.

Dean played his final season in the NHL with the Blackhawks during the 1999-2000, and 2000-2001 seasons.

He'd play 96 total games for the team and would score 21 points (2 G, 19 A) and we hope we scored a big win against cancer.