Career
A hard-nosed, physical defender, Malkoc was selected 95th overall in the 1990 National Hockey League Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils. He turned pro in 1991, and spent four seasons in the Devils" system, earning a reputation for his robust play and high penalty minute totals, but never played an National Hockey League game for New Jersey. Malkoc became a free agent in 1995 and signed with the Vancouver Canucks, his hometown team
He managed to crack the Canucks" roster, and spent the entire 1995-1996 season in the National Hockey League as the team"s 7th defender, appearing in 41 games and recording 2 assists along with 136 penalty minutes.
At the outset of the 1996-1997 season, Malkoc was exposed by Vancouver in the National Hockey League Waiver Draft, and claimed by the Boston Bruins. He would spend two full seasons in Boston as a utility defender, appearing in 73 games as a Bruin.
In 1997-1998, he finally scored his first National Hockey League goal in his 3rd season in the league. Dean Malkoc signed with the New York Islanders for the 1998-1999 campaign, but only appeared in 2 games for the Islanders and found himself back in the minors.
He was dealt to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim the following season, and spent two seasons in the Ducks organization without appearing in an National Hockey League game before retiring.
He made a brief comeback to suit up in Austria in 2004-2005 before leaving the game. Dean Malkoc appeared in 116 National Hockey League games, recording 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points along with 299 penalty minutes. Dean is currently a scout for the Boston Bruins.