SCHENECTADY, NY – Union men's hockey coach Rick Bennett announced the hiring of Joe Dumais and Jason Tapp to the coaching staff. Dumais comes to Union after spending the past three years as the assistant coach at the University of Connecticut.

 

“With Joe joining our staff we are very fortunate to have one of the best young recruiters in college hockey,” said Bennett. “His experience in all areas of the game will be beneficial with our specialty teams.”

 

Tapp served as a volunteer assistant with Union for the past two seasons as the goaltending coach. Under Tapp's guidance this past season, goaltender Keith Kinkaid became the second Union goaltender to earn AHCA All-American First Team honors.

 

“We are extremely excited to have Jason join our staff,” Bennett said. “As a former college goalie his knowledge and passion for the position will help tremendously this upcoming season.”

 

Dumais' playing career at Quinnipiac spanned from 2002-2006 where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in sociology. As a member of the Bobcats, he was named team captain during his senior season. He received numerous awards and was a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. After graduation, Dumais attended Ohio University where he earned a master's of science in recreation and sport sciences with a focus on coaching education. Also during his year at Ohio, Dumais served as an assistant coach for its men's ice hockey team.

 

Dumais gained more coaching experience after graduation in June 2007 as he was an assistant coach of the Mahoning Valley Phantoms, a member of the North American Hockey League, Tier II Junior A. He also was the head coach of the Phantom Fireworks Midget AAA team. With the Phantom Fireworks, Dumais took on the role of head recruiter, organized, managed the team budget and travel schedule and helped to recruit the entire team for the 2007-08 season. During this year, the Phantom Fireworks were named 2007-08 Ohio State Champions, Mid-American Champions and took part in the 2007-08 national tournament.

 

Dumais played with the Columbia Inferno from February to May of 2008 before joining the staff at Connecticut. The Inferno is affiliated with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a member of the ECHL.

 

Tapp, a native of Kelowna, British Columbia earned a four-year scholarship to Boston University, where he played from 1998-2002. He graduated in 2002 with a degree in United States history.

Tapp's pro career began in Europe with the Nijmegen Tigers of the Dutch Superliga. He then moved back to the United States for a six-year pro career that concluded in 2009 with the Kalamazoo Wings of the IHL. He was twice named to the UHL All-Star team as a member of the Quad City Mallards. He holds two Quad City records for most minutes played in a season along with games started in a row (33). He also holds a record for most games played in a single season for the Corpus Christi Rays of the CHL where was also named team MVP.

Jason lives in the Capital District with his wife Nicol and their daughter Ella.