University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame
H. George Kreiner 1970 - Hockey
The first first-team ice hockey All-American at the University of Vermont, George Kreiner, a 1980 UVM Hall of Fame inductee, was the co-captain of UVM's 1970 ECAC Championship hockey team, the first of many Division II crowns the Catamounts would win in the early 70's. Kreiner held virtually every defensemen's scoring record at Vermont and was also at one time ranked ninth on UVM's all-time scoring list with nine goals and 47 assists.
"George is one of the best defensemen to play college hockey, Division I or II, and he is one of the few players that played while UVM was in Division II that could play for us right now," said long-time Vermont hockey coach Jim Cross.
Kreiner was one of the hardest-hitting blueliners ever to play college hockey, yet one of the cleanest. The highlight of his collegiate career was March 14, 1970 when the hockey Catamounts visited Whittier Arena on the Bowdoin campus. Undefeated against Division II opponents, Bowdoin was heavy favorites against UVM. Kreiner led a defense that allowed one goals at the Catamounts ran over the Polar Bears, 4-1, and began their domination of Division II, winning three titles the next five years.
Following Kreiner's playing days, he assisted Cross with the UVM hockey program, coaching the JV team when it existed and later the varsity with little or no financial rewards. "He did it out of love for UVM hockey. His contribution was immeasurable," added Cross. Kreiner also began the Friends of UVM Hockey, one of the most successful hockey support groups in the nation.
