Entering his fifth pro season, small but sturdy right wing Dean Strong(23) will once again try his hand overseas.
He signed a one-year deal with Italy’s Valpellice Bulldogs for 2013/2014.
It’s his second stint playing hockey outside of North America, as the 5’8″ 190 lbs. forward spent his sophomore campaign successfully in Germany2 with Eispiraten Crimmitschau before he returned, joining Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL for the remainder of the regular and postseason run.
He put up point per game numbers and was re-signed to continue with K-Wings but started his third year with Chicago Wolves out of training camp on a pto before being sent back.
Later loaned to Lake Erie Monsters he found his spot and finished off the year with the team after being inked to an spc midway through. He re-upped for 2012/2013 but suffered and injury that derailed his progress.
He was reassigned for a very short time in the Central Hockey League with affiliate Denver Cutthroats but was quickly back with the Monsters to complete the season.
The 28-year old has played in 106 AHL games scoring 11 goals and 24 assists.
He will likely break out on a scoring spree once again in the lower tier league and will likely continue to move up over there as age and veteran status will start to factor in to any future signing.