One of the finest skaters to ever grace the ice at Walker Arena, Dave Fretz was an all-star for the Golden Knights during the early 1980s. A defenseman who could skate with the puck from one end of the ice to the other against any team in the country. Every rush by Fretz was a highlight reel waiting to happen.
At 5-7, 170-pounds, Fretz may have not been among the most imposing players on the ice, but the Toronto, Ontario native certainly made a big impression as he helped to lead the Green and Gold to an 87-40-7 overall record during his four-year career wearing the Clarkson sweater. Fretz excelled both on and off the ice at Clarkson. One of the few players in Clarkson’s storied hockey tradition to be honored as a two-time All-America, Fretz was also a Hobey Baker Award finalist as one of the top players in the country in 1985 and was one of four Knights selected to the very prestigious Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) All-Decade Team of the 1980s.
He ranks as the fifth highest scoring defenseman in Clarkson history with 102 points on 31 goals and 71 assists through 132 games from 1981-1984. During his time in Potsdam, the Knights, guided by head coach Bill O’Flaherty, were among the top teams in the nation and went on to the NCAA Tournament in 1982 and 1984.
Fretz also had a taste of international competition during his senior season. While his teammates were playing in the Syracuse Invitational that winter, he was representing his country overseas. He skated with Team Canada in the 1984 Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland in late December and helped his homeland win Gold for the first time in the 58-year history of the tournament. The only United States collegiate player on the Canadian roster, Fretz was named to the all-tournament team. ..
As good as he was on the ice, Fretz was even sharper in the classroom. He accumulated numerous academic accomplishments as an excellent student majoring in mechanical and industrial engineering. Fretz was named to Pi Tau Sigma – Mechanical Engineering Society, a Presidential Scholar, listed in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, and a 1984-85 GTE National Academic All-America.
Fretz was inducted into Clarkson's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004. He was also chosen as one of the Top-50 Players in ECAC Hockey history.
Q&A
Name: Dave Fretz
Nickname(s) while a Golden Knight: Fretzy
Years Played/Position: 1981 to 1985, Defense
Clarkson Major: Mechanical Engineering
Why did you decide to choose Clarkson:
Academic standing and curriculum, hockey tradition.
Favorite Clarkson Hockey moment(s):
Skating onto the ice at all home game
Favorite Team to gain a victory over, why:
St. Lawrence – such a close rivalry due to proximity and being the travel partner.
Favorite Arenas to Play in:
Lake Placid – the large ice surface provided more room to skate – Walker Arena – the bell, the band and fans, everything was right on top of you.
Favorite Class/Professor(s):
Chemistry with Egon Mateaivich – he was so animated and enthusiastic!
Favorite memories of Potsdam, North Country:
Dinners at Fran’s restaurant in town, after game gatherings at Itza Pizza
Where did you live when attending Clarkson:
The Quad, Graham Hall and the townhouse apartments.
What did you do after Clarkson:
Started my career in Engineering with Babcock & Wilcox in Ohio.
What are you doing now:
Managing a small casino gaming company.
Family:
Wife Nancy, daughters Shannon (Senior at The University of Washington – business school) and Amy (Sophomore at Washington State University – teaching major) and son Michael (high school Junior currently living in Wenatchee, WA and playing 18U AAA hockey)
Current Hometown:
Maltby, WA (northeast of Seattle)
Hobbies:
Golf, Coaching hockey (until this season when Michael moved away)
Any other interesting things about you, or your family you would like to add:
Michael’s goal to play college hockey!
