Dean Strong

Dean Strong (born July 17, 1985) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player whose final team was HC Valpellice in Italy's Elite.A league.

Playing career Undrafted before going pro, he played four seasons of NCAA Division I hockey at the University of Vermont with the Vermont Catamounts men's ice hockey team. During his senior year in the 2008–09 season, he set a school record by playing in his 154th consecutive game. He also served as team captain and led the Catamounts to a Frozen Four appearance.

On August 4, 2011, Strong agreed to a one-year contract extension with the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL, entering his third professional season in 2011–12. He started the season with the Chicago Wolves but later played 21 games with the Wings, recording 23 points. He was then loaned to the Lake Erie Monsters for the rest of their regular season, where he appeared in a career-high 54 AHL games and registered 17 points.

Strong rejoined the Lake Erie Monsters on a one-year AHL contract for the next season. After sustaining an early injury and serving as a reserve forward, he was loaned to the Denver Cutthroats, the team's Central Hockey League affiliate, on December 5, 2012. Following a three-game stint, he returned to the Monsters, secured a regular spot on the checking line, and tallied 13 points over 36 games.

As an unrestricted free agent looking to continue his professional career overseas, Dean Strong signed his second European contract on September 2, 2013, agreeing to terms with HC Valpellice, a team competing in Italy's top-tier ice hockey league, Elite.A.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2002–03 Milton Merchants OPJHL 43 14 7 21 8 — — — — — 2003–04 Milton Icehawks OPJHL 48 29 32 61 28 — — — — — 2004–05 Vernon Vipers BCHL 56 35 56 91 28 14 6 5 11 16 2005–06 University of Vermont HE 38 9 15 24 21 — — — — — 2006–07 University of Vermont HE 39 13 18 31 50 — — — — — 2007–08 University of Vermont HE 39 8 20 28 20 — — — — — 2008–09 University of Vermont HE 39 5 19 24 10 — — — — — 2009–10 Kalamazoo Wings ECHL 34 16 21 37 27 5 1 2 3 0 2009–10 Worcester Sharks AHL 16 2 3 5 2 6 1 1 2 2 2010–11 Eispiraten Crimmitschau 2.GBun 25 10 13 23 8 — — — — — 2010–11 Kalamazoo Wings ECHL 6 3 4 7 2 15 7 7 14 8 2011–12 Chicago Wolves AHL 5 0 3 3 2 — — — — — 2011–12 Kalamazoo Wings ECHL 21 11 12 23 20 8 0 2 2 0 2011–12 Lake Erie Monsters AHL 49 4 10 14 10 — — — — — 2012–13 Lake Erie Monsters AHL 36 5 8 13 12 — — — — — 2012–13 Denver Cutthroats CHL 3 1 0 1 2 — — — — — 2013–14 HC Valpellice ITL 39 26 23 49 40 4 4 1 5 2 AHL totals 106 11 24 35 26 6 1 1 2 2

Awards and honours Award Year Hockey East Len Ceglarski Award - Sportsmanship 2008–09