Peter Esdale

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Peter Esdale
Biographical details
Born Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Alma mater Ohio State University
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1970-1972 Western Michigan (Asst.)
1972-1974 American International
1976–1977 Mount Royal College
1977–1980 Alberta (Asst.)
1980–1984 Dalhousie
1984–1986 Ferris State (Asst.)
1986Ferris State
1986–1987 Spokane Chiefs
1988–1991Alberta (Asst.)
1993–1994 Tampa Bay Tritons
1994–1995Alberta
1998 Tupelo T-Rex
Head coaching record
Overall24-41-4 (.377) (NCAA)

Peter Esdale is a retired ice hockey head coach who had been in charge at both American International and Ferris State.

Contents

Career

Esdale was raised in Edmonton and attended Ohio State University on a hockey scholarship. [1] He began his coaching career as an assistant at Western Michigan and became the head coach at American International two years later. [2] He also coached AIC's soccer and tennis teams. In 1974, he returned to Canada as athletic director at Notre Dame University College. [3] During this time he also played for the Nelson Maple Leafs. In 1976, he became the athletic director and men's hockey coach at Mount Royal College. [1] In 1977, he took a teaching and coaching position at the University of Alberta, where he won two national titles as an assistant hockey coach and one as head soccer coach. In 1980, he became the head hockey coach at Dalhousie Tigers. [4]

In 1984, Esdale moved to Ferris State as an assistant to Dick Bertrand. After Bertrand resigned mid-way through the 1985–86 season, Esdale was named as the interim head coach and finished out the season with a losing but respectable record. After the season, despite a vote of confidence from the AD, Esdale was not retained by the Bulldogs and instead was named as head coach for the Spokane Chiefs. [4] A year later Esdale announced his retirement from coaching to become a sales rep for Procter & Gamble. [5]

Esdale returned to coaching after a one year absence as an assistant at the University of Alberta. [6] During the 1993–94 season, he was co-coach of the Tampa Bay Tritons of Roller Hockey International. [7] He then spent one season as interim head coach at the University of Alberta while Billy Moores was on a leave of absence to coach in Japan. Moores did not return after his year away, but Esdale chose not to stay on as coach due to his commitments as manager of a racquet club. [8] He was the inaugural coach of the Tupelo T-Rex, but was replaced after a 1–11 start. [9]

Head coaching record

Statistics overview
SeasonTeamOverallConferenceStandingPostseason
American International Yellow Jackets (ECAC 2)(1972–1974)
1972–73 American International 9-18-1
1973–74 American International 9-14-2
American International:18-32-3
Ferris State Bulldogs (CCHA)(1985–1986)
1985–86 Ferris State 6-9-1†4-9-1†6th CCHA Quarterfinals
Ferris State:6-9-14-9-1
Total:24-41-4

      National champion        Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion        Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion      Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

† Midseason replacement

References

  1. 1 2 "MRC's Peter Esdale: In pursuit of excellence". The Calgary Herald. May 20, 1977. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  2. Monahan, Bob (July 12, 1972). "The Sports Log". The Boston Globe.
  3. "Other Notre Dame names sports head". Gadsden Times. September 1, 1974. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Stalwick, Howie (May 29, 1986). "Chiefs select Esdale". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  5. "Ex-Chief coach Esdale retires from coaching". Spokesman-Review. August 11, 1987. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  6. "Chiefs fans need to give Strumm a chance to win". Spokane Chronicle. November 3, 1988. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  7. "Sidelines: O'Brien sets record in decathlon". Lakeland Ledger. June 15, 1994. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  8. Spector, Mark (June 9, 1995). "Coach won't stay with Bears". Edmonton Journal.
  9. "Peter Esdale". Hockeydb. Retrieved September 16, 2025.