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 was one of four Knights selected to the very prestigious Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) All-Decade Team of the 1980s. 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. Ranked 5th highest-scoring defenseman in Clarkson history with 102 points on 31 goals and 71 assists through 132 games from 1981 – 1984. Selected as one of the Top-50 Players in ECAC Hockey history.li> Inducted into Clarkson Hall of Fame, 2004.