Billy Dea

Billy Dea (born April 3, 1933, in Edmonton, Alberta) was a professional Left Wing and coach in the National Hockey League. He played with the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks, and Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring 67 goals and 54 assists in 397 games. In 1975 Dea became an assistant coach with the Red Wings. During the 1981–82 NHL season, he became the head coach of the Red Wings as a mid-season replacement for Wayne Maxner.

He played junior hockey with the Lethbridge Native Sons from 1949-53. After graduating he spent most of his career in the minor pros, with only brief stops with the Rangers, Black Hawks, and Red Wings.

The 1967 NHL Expansion gave him a new chance. He spent two full seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins and two more with the Red Wings. He retired in 1972.