Newest Pats GM Derkatch becomes seventh all-time to play, coach and manage Pats
Regina, Sask. — Dale Derkatch Given the Keys to the Regina Pats
The Regina Pats’ all-time leading scorer, Dale Derkatch, has been handed the reins.
Derkatch was promoted from Assistant General Manager to General Manager on Tuesday, following Alan Millar’s departure to Hockey Canada, where he was named the first-ever GM of their Program of Excellence.
Derkatch becomes the seventh individual in franchise history to have played for, coached, and now managed the Pats. He joins an elite group that includes Bill Hicke, Dennis Sobchuk, Lorne Davis, Del Wilson, Bob Turner, and Murray Armstrong.
The last to accomplish that trifecta was Bill Hicke, who played for the Pats from 1954–1958 before going on to a career in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens. Hicke later purchased the franchise in 1985, managed the team in 1988–89 and from 1989–95, and even served behind the bench from 1992–94.
Originally from Winnipeg, Man., Derkatch has long called Regina home, where he and his wife raised three sons: Dale Jr., Dayce, and Drake. His eldest, Dale Jr., retired after his final season of U18 hockey in 2022. Middle son Dayce is currently playing for the Prince Albert Raiders, while the youngest, Drake, just wrapped up his final U15 season with the Regina Monarchs in 2024–25.
It’s been a long journey to becoming the 21st GM in franchise history. Regarded as one of the greatest players in Pats history, Derkatch ranks first in franchise records for goals, assists, and points—amassing 491 points (222G, 269A) in 204 games from 1981–1985. Nicknamed “The Rat,” he recorded more than 140 points in each of his first three seasons, peaking in 1982–83 with 179 points (84G, 95A) in just 67 games.
In his playing days, Dale Derkatch was known as one of the smaller players on the ice, listed at roughly 5-foot-6 and 160 pounds. Back then, smaller players had a tougher time cracking WHL rosters, with the league known for its physicality and toughness. Many doubted Derkatch—except for legendary Regina Pats Head Coach and GM Bob Strumm, who was the first person outside of Dale’s family to truly believe in him.
“I wasn’t planning on playing in the Western Hockey League. I had a full ride to the University of North Dakota for four years,” Derkatch explained. “Bob was the first guy who ever said I could play at the next level. It was always people saying, ‘he’s too small to play Pee-Wee,’ then ‘too small for Bantam,’ and then ‘too small for Midget.’ And they weren’t saying it directly to me, but that was always the talk.”
Derkatch’s WHL rights bounced around before he landed in Regina. He was first listed by the Saskatoon Blades, who later dropped him. The Portland Winterhawks picked him up next, but in 1981, Bob Strumm acquired his rights. At the time, Derkatch was playing for the Notre Dame Hounds (1979–81) and had committed to Junior A hockey in Prince Albert. But in August 1981, Strumm made a bold move: he called Derkatch’s father and asked to fly to Winnipeg to meet with the family.
“He says, ‘Can I fly in? I want to talk to you and your son,’” Derkatch recalled. “My dad asked me what I thought, and I said, ‘Well, Dad, we’ve already decided—I’m going to college.’ He was adamant about me getting a university degree. But we let Bob come talk to us. He takes us out to eat and says to my parents, ‘I have something for Dale.’ Laying on a chair was a Regina Pats sweater with the name ‘Derkatch’ and number 16 on it. And of course, when you’re 16 years old, that’s pretty exciting.”
Derkatch was blown away by Strumm’s belief in him. Since his father remained focused on education after junior hockey, Strumm offered a four-year scholarship package that would allow Dale to attend any school in Canada following his WHL career.
“Every time my parents asked Bob something—whether it was about billeting or schooling—the answer was always, ‘Yep, sure, that’s great,’” Derkatch said. “So we left that meeting, and my dad asked, ‘What do you think?’ I said, ‘We decided I’m going to college. I’m going to PA and then to North Dakota.’ And he goes, ‘Well, he gave us the schooling package, so I think it’s up to you.’”
Ultimately, Derkatch decided to join the Regina Pats for the 1981–82 season. At the time, he was just 5-foot-5 and around 130 pounds, so the transition to the WHL seemed daunting—but it wasn’t. He went on to be named WHL Rookie of the Year, recording an astonishing 142 points (62G-80A) in 71 games.
Bill LaForge Sr. was the Pats’ Head Coach that season, working under Strumm. Known for coaching tough, physical teams, LaForge had never had a small player like Derkatch before. That year, the Pats had four players who each racked up over 400 penalty minutes—a number unheard of in today’s game.
“I first came to Regina in late August and was skating with the older guys,” Derkatch said. “Bob Strumm and Bill LaForge walk in, see us on the ice, and Strumm says to LaForge, ‘That’s your guy right there.’ LaForge goes, ‘What?’—he was a little skeptical. He didn’t know what to expect.”
Derkatch came to camp in top shape, while many of the older players used training camp to get into shape. With most of the team’s top players at NHL camps, Derkatch knew this was his chance to make an impression. The Pats’ first exhibition game that season was against the Brandon Wheat Kings, and it was Derkatch’s first real taste of WHL hockey.
“In warmup, I’m skating around like usual, and Bill LaForge is on the bench. He calls me over and says, ‘If anything happens tonight, don’t drop your stick.’ So I skate back into line and tap an older player on the back, telling him, ‘Coach said not to drop my stick if anything happens.’ And the guy just goes, ‘Ah, you’ll see.’”
“So I happen to be starting the game at center with Gary Leeman and Lyndon Byers. For some reason, on the first shift, the puck ends up in our end. I’m the first guy back, and a player cross-checks me from behind—kind of a dirty play. I dropped my gloves and stick and had a little bit of a fight.”
“After the first period, LaForge comes flying into the room, heading straight toward me. He points at me in my stall, and everyone’s watching. I’m thinking, ‘Oh boy, he told me not to drop my stick.’ He points his finger in my face and goes, ‘I love this guy!’ Then he turns to the room and says, ‘If anyone touches this guy and you don’t jump in when you’re on the ice, you’re gone.’ That was it. From then on, I could do no wrong.”
Dale Derkatch reached the WHL Championship Series twice during his storied junior hockey career with the Regina Pats. In 1981–82, his rookie season, he put up a staggering 142 points in 71 games — a franchise record for a first-year player— and helped lead the Pats to the WHL Final. Regina ultimately fell to the Portland Winterhawks in that series. Two years later, during the 1983–84 season, Derkatch was even more dominant in the playoffs, tallying 53 points (12G-41A) in just 23 games. Despite his outstanding individual performance, the Pats suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Kamloops Junior Oilers in the WHL Championship.
That 1984 series remains one of the most painful defeats in franchise history. In game six, the Pats held a 3–2 lead with just 21 seconds remaining in regulation. Kamloops tied the game in dramatic fashion, then sealed the win in overtime. They would go on to win the series in game seven. Former Pats coach Bill LaForge — who had coached Derkatch and Regina two years prior — was behind the bench for Kamloops, guiding the Junior Oilers to the WHL title.
Derkatch’s brilliance on the ice earned him an NHL draft selection by the Edmonton Oilers in 1983 (7th round, 140th overall). Though he never played in the NHL, he carved out a long and successful professional career in Europe, playing from 1985 to 1998. Over those 13 seasons, Derkatch played in Italy, Finland, Germany, and Switzerland, becoming a standout offensive player known for his vision, skill, and leadership.
Following his retirement in 1998, Derkatch transitioned into scouting and player development. He spent six seasons (1998–2004) as a scout for the Washington Capitals, helping identify top prospects across North America.
He later returned to his roots with the Notre Dame Hounds, serving as Head Coach and Director of Player Development for the U18 AAA program. His work in youth development prepared him for the next chapter in his hockey journey. In 2008, Derkatch returned to the Regina Pats as head coach for the 2008–09 WHL season. Though his tenure behind the bench lasted just one year, it further cemented his connection with the franchise.
Derkatch then joined the Prince Albert Raiders as Director of Player Personnel, continuing his work in scouting and development. In 2015, he was hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs under then-assistant GM Kyle Dubas and GM Lou Lamoriello, contributing to the team’s amateur scouting department until 2020. Afterward, he joined the Columbus Blue Jackets as a scout from 2022 to 2024, working under current GM Don Waddell.
In the summer of 2024, former Pats GM Alan Millar sought a seasoned voice to help rebuild the storied franchise. He hired Derkatch as Assistant General Manager, placing him in charge of the club’s scouting department while also involving him in day-to-day hockey operations during the 2024–25 season.
Now, in 2025, Dale Derkatch has taken the reins of the Regina Pats as General Manager—coming full circle with the franchise that retired his No. 16 jersey on December 5, 1998. One of the most beloved players in team history, he now looks to lead the organization from the front office, just as he once led it on the ice.
