The Wings Dave Lewis - Head Coach
Dave Lewis
Head Coach
DRW CoachesDave LewisBarry SmithJoe KocurJim Bedard
25th Head Coach in Wings 76 year history
Dave Lewis begins his first season as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings, named to the position on July 17, 2002. Lewis replaces the legendary Scotty Bowman, becoming just the 25th head coach in the Red Wings' 76-year history.

Entering his 17th year with the Red Wings organization, (two as a player and 15 as a coach), Lewis has been a mainstay behind the bench holding the distinction of having worked with three different head coaches. He began in 1987 by working with Jacques Demers, followed by Bryan Murray and continuing with Scotty Bowman. Lewis' 15 years as an NHL defenseman prepared him for his coaching career as he has excelled both as a motivator and tactician behind the Red Wings' bench. His other duties include extensive video work used in scouting opponents.
Lewis, 49, joined the coaching staff immediately after retiring as a player Nov. 6, 1987, amid his 15th National Hockey League season. The 2001 -02 campaign will mark Dave's 15th consecutive year in the Detroit organization since signing as a free agent July 28, 1986. He has three Stanley Cup Championships in his career, 1997, 1998 and 2002, all with Detroit.

At the beginning of the 1998-99 season, Dave shared the head coaching responsibilities with Barry Smith through training camp and the first five regular-season games as Bowman recovered from off-season knee surgery. The Lewis/Smith combination produced 4-1-0 record (.800).
A native of Kindersley, SK, Lewis played junior hockey for Saskatoon (WHL) and was the New York Islanders' second pick (33rd overall) in the 1973 NHL Entry Draft (selected by current Red Wings Senior Vice-President Jim Devellano, the Islanders' chief scout at the time). Lewis jumped from the junior ranks straight to the NHL and never played in the minor leagues.

Dave's biggest milestone came in a Red Wings uniform when he played in his 1,000th regular-season game April 1, 1987 against Philadelphia at Joe Louis Arena. In all, he played 1,008 regular-season games with the Islanders, Los Angeles, New Jersey and Detroit. He recorded 36 goals, 187 assists and 953 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 91 playoff games with one goal, 20 assists and 143 penalty minutes.
Away from the rink, Dave is actively involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Through his efforts over the past 11 years, the proceeds from the Dave Lewis Detroit Red Wings Fantasy Camp games and celebrity auctions have raised over $100,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In addition, Lewis often hosts children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation at Red Wing practices throughout the season. Two summers ago summer Lewis arranged a trip to Russia for 28 campers and their spouses for a seven-day fantasy hockey camp and historical tour.
In his spare time, Lewis enjoys the camaraderie of golf and working with the four horses his family owns.

Dave and wife Brenda live in suburban Detroit and have a son, Ryan, and a daughter, Meagan.