Jennifer Meldrum, Vanguard's senior vice president of commercial operations, commented, "It has been a great privilege to work alongside Dean for the last 9 years. He has significantly contributed to the Vanguard culture of working hard and having fun along the way. I am personally honoured to have been his colleague and friend. My life is fuller for having known Dean."

Kevin Danylchuk, Vanguard's president and general manager, issued this statement: “To say that Dean’s passing has left us all in the Vanguard family tremendously saddened would be an understatement — our staff has been shaken to the core.  Dean made such incredible contributions to Vanguard; he was blessed with advanced skills in communication and professional salesmanship, and he understood the values of honesty, hard work, teamwork, and fair play — no doubt his previously successful hockey career contributed to this.  Dean embraced his career with Vanguard whole-heartedly and with dedication and pride.

"It has been an utter delight and extraordinary privilege to have known Dean.  Despite being afflicted with ALS, one of the most savage and cruel of all diseases, when I last saw him, about 3 weeks ago, he battled hard to momentarily beat the disease and let his wonderful personality shine through to be himself. It was remarkable, and for that experience, I am eternally grateful. His passion and spirit will be badly missed but never forgotten.”