University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame
David B. Reece 1971 - Hockey
Considered the first of many outstanding goalies for the Vermont hockey team, Dave Reece was instrumental in generating national exposure for what is now one of the most respected programs in the nation. A 1981 UVM Hall of Fame inductee, he also was the first-ever Catamount to play in the National Hockey League.
He was a two-time All-American for the then-Division II Catamounts and will always be remembered for his performance in UVM's 3-2 upset of Division I nationally-ranked Harvard in 1971. Reece had 41 saves and appeared in Sports Illustrated's Faces in the Crowd that week. But, it was more than the Harvard game that won Reece accolades from every team in the East. He was named UVM's MVP three times, twice earned ECAC honors and was selected the ECAC Division II Player of the Year as a senior. Reece also served as a co-captain of the 1970-71 squad.
Upon graduation, Reece established virtually every UVM goalie record. The-Troy, N.Y. set UVM records for most saves in one game (52 vs. New Hampshire in 1970), most saves in a career (2,115), most shutouts in a career (nine), best save average in a season (.912) and most consecutive minutes without being scored upon (152:33).
Tabbed the State of Vermont's Athlete of the Year by the VSSA in 1971, Reece spent the 1971-72 season on the U.S. National Team and was one of the final players cut before it went to Sapporo, Japan for the 1972 Olympics. After a successful tour of the minor leagues, Reece became the first-ever Catamount to reach the National Hockey League. He made his debut with the Boston Bruins in the 1975-76 season appearing in 14 games recording a 3.32 GAA while going 7-5-2.
After retiring from pro hockey, Reece became a prep school teacher and coach at Trinity-Pawling and Albany Academy. While at T-P, four future Catamounts, Kirk McCaskill, John O'Connor, Matt Winnicki and Kevin Foster, played for Reece.
