Former Viper Finalist For NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey Award:

Former Viper finalist for NCAA division I men’s hockey award

Former Vernon Vipers Forward, Dean Strong, had been nominated for the NCAA’s Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award (An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School). Strong played in Vernon in 2004/05 and in 56 games played had 35 goals and 56 assists for 91 points and 28 penatly minutes.

Strong, who played on the line with Vipers Captain Mark Nelson and Matt Watkins, is rememered by the voice of the Vipers, Todd Miller, as “an unbelivable kid on and off the ice and was one of the hardest workers to ever wear Vipers colors.”

The third class of finalists for the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey division of the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award was announced, launching a nationwide balloting process to determine the 2009 recipient for the honor that recognizes the complete student-athlete. The Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award encourages student-athletes to use their platform in college athletics to make a positive impact on their circle of influence.

Strong started his Junior hockey career on the OPJHL for the Milton Icehawks before joing the Vipers. In 2005 Strong went the the University of Vermont in the NCAA and has played there ever since. 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. Vermont Head

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.”

Hockey fans around the country can vote online during this time at http://www.seniorclassaward.com. Text voting also will be available during the voting period.

The 2009 finalists for the men’s hockey division are: Andrew Carroll (University of Minnesota Duluth), Erik Condra (University of Notre Dame), Matt Cook (Union College - New York), Chris Hahn (University of Maine), Trevor Hyatt (University of Alaska Fairbanks), Mathias Lange (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), Jeff Lerg (Michigan State University), Jordan Pearce (University of Notre Dame), Mike Phillipich (United States Air Force Academy) and Dean Strong (University of Vermont).

The overall winner of the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award for hockey will be announced and presented with the distinctive trophy during the 2009 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four® in Washington, D.C.