Union College Athletics

One of the most important figures in modern Union men's hockey history, Jack Rankin was the program's first All-American whose excellence helped to restart the varsity program after a nearly 30-year absence.
 
When Union reinstated hockey as a varsity team prior to the 1975-76 season, Rankin was part of the original class that was the first to skate at the newly constructed Achilles Rink. He was elected tri-captain of that initial squad and filled that role in both subsequent seasons, making him one of only two players in school history to wear a letter three times. Rankin earned the program's first AHCA College Division All-America honors as a sophomore in 1976-77, as he led the team to a 22-3-1 record and a school-record .865 winning percentage. In addition to his stellar defensive play, Rankin also scored seven goals with 40 assists for 47 points in 55 games, including three goals and 23 assists during his All-American campaign.
 
Rankin became one of the first Dutchmen to make it to the professional ranks in 1978 when he signed with the Detroit Red Wings. He played two seasons with the Kansas City Red Wings of the Central Hockey League and both the Kalamazoo Wings and Fort Wayne Komets of the International Hockey League, scoring seven goals with 25 assists in 85 games on the blue line.