Phil Latreille, a member of the Middlebury Athletics inaugural Hall of Fame Class of 2014 and the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame, died on August 6 at his home in Harbor Ridge, Florida. He was 87 years old.
 
Born in Montreal, Quebec on April 22, 1938, Latreille was a star athlete at the D'Arcy McGee School before attending Middlebury and studying Sociology from 1958 to 1961. He enjoyed a decorated career with the Panthers, netting more goals than any player in the history of intercollegiate ice hockey in the United States. The right-winger scored 250 times with collegiate records for goals in a game (10) and a season (80). All three records still stand today.
 
"We were saddened to hear about the passing of Phil Latreille, a legend in Middlebury men's ice hockey and more broadly in all of collegiate ice hockey," said Director of Athletics Erin Quinn '86. "It was a treat to meet such an amazing athlete and discover that he was an equally impressive person. Phil's accomplishments on the ice are unparalleled not only for Middlebury but for all of collegiate ice hockey. We have lost a good friend and a good man, and we are grateful to have had him as part of the Middlebury College and Middlebury Athletics family."
 
Latreille helped lead the program to a 61-23-1 record across his four seasons, including a program-best 19-2-0 run during his senior campaign. The Panthers earned victories over the likes of Princeton, Army and Yale, all programs now competing at the NCAA Division I level.
 
"Not only was he one of the greatest players to ever wear the Middlebury sweater, but he was also an incredible teammate and friend whose impact went far beyond the rink," said Middlebury head coach Jack Ceglarski. "Our hearts are with the Latreille family during this difficult time.
 
"Phil was a very caring person," said Chuck Gately '62, the starting goalkeeper for the final three years of Latreille's time with the Panthers. "He went on to have a very successful business career, in large part due to his skill in building and maintaining relationships. As meaningful as Phil the hockey player is, Phil the person is much more meaningful among his contemporaries at Middlebury and those he stayed in touch with over the years."
 
After concluding his Middlebury career in 1961, Latreille suited up with the New York Rangers, becoming the first Vermont collegiate player to play in the National Hockey League (NHL) at a time when the league consisted of just six teams. He finished his professional hockey career with the Long Island Ducks and the Montreal Olympics.
 
"The statistics are easy to see, but Phil was also an exceptional human being," said Bill Beaney, former head coach of Middlebury men's ice hockey from 1987 to 2002 and 2003 to 2015. "The regard in which he is held by his former teammates and coaches, and those who knew him, is a testament to the man he was. He has meant a lot to Middlebury College and Middlebury Athletics."