Dean Strong

Classroom

Dean has 3.18 cumulative grade point average as an agriculture and resource economics major and was named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team in 2006-07 and 2007-08.

Character

FROM VERMONT HEAD COACH KEVIN SNEDDON:
“In our hockey program we have a core covenant made up of four characteristics: family, accountability, selflessness and toughness. Dean is the perfect role model for every student-athlete as he lives by these virtues. Dean’s own stable “center of gravity” has always allowed him to display genuine respect towards everyone, respect that is returned in kind. It’s one thing to be a respected member of a team; it’s even more amazing to be universally respected by everyone he encounters at UVM and within the Burlington community. As a two-year captain, Hockey East All-Academic Team member, standout two-way competitor, and someone who consistently gives back to our community, Dean deserves to be considered for this prestigious award.”

Community

Strong has been involved with the following community service activities: The annual UVM Teddy Bear Toss (members of the team deliver Teddy Bears to children at Fletcher Allen Health Care and local nursing homes over the holidays), several Jarred Williams Foundation events (foundation raises money for chronically ill children), Green Up Day (clean up of the local community), Burlington Amateur Hockey Association events (hockey clinics) and reading to kids at local schools in the community.  In addition, Dean recently took time during the season to skate with youth hockey players to reinforce not only fundamentals, but the fun of the game.

Competition

Strong has played in every game in his career at Vermont (142). With 103 career points (31g, 72a) he became the 41st Catamount to reach the century mark this season. The Catamounts are 47-14-14 in games when Strong has recorded at least one point during his career. He has won 56-percent of his face offs in his career and has been one of the team’s top penalty killers for a unit that has ranked in the top-14 nationally in each of the last three seasons. He is a two-time captain for the Catamounts. Was named runner-up for Best Defensive Forward in Hockey East in 2007-08. Won the 2007-08 Vermont Jim Cross Coaches’ Award. Was the 2005-06 Vermont George Buzzell Rookie of the Year.