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.

Dean Strong
Born	(1985-07-17) July 17, 1985 (age 40) Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Height	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight	174 lb (79 kg; 12 st 6 lb)
Position	Forward
Shot	Right
Played for	Worcester Sharks Chicago Wolves Lake Erie Monsters HC Valpellice
NHL draft	Undrafted
Playing career	2009–2014

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.^[1]

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.^[2] 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.^[3] 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.^[4]

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	[5]