SCHENECTADY, NY – The Union College men's ice hockey team will add ten student-athletes in 2011-12, head coach Rick Bennett announced on Monday. The class includes Mark Bennett, Sam Coatta, Daniel Ciampini, Tyson Fulton, Shayne Gostisbehere, Trevor Mingoia, Max Novak, Dillon Pieri, Colin Stevens and Charlie Vasaturo.
“I'm very pleased with the quality of our recruiting class,” Bennett said. “While we graduated an outstanding senior class, I expect the incoming freshman to contribute right away and help us continue to raise the bar at Union.”
Mark Bennett
Height: 6'0”
Weight: 192
Position: Forward
Hometown: Oakville, Ontario
Previous Team: Oakville Blades (OJHL)
Bennett has played for the Oakville Blades of the Ontario Junior Hockey League for the past three seasons. In each of the past two seasons, Bennett has produced over 40 points, with at least 30 assists in each campaign. As an assistant captain in 2010-11, Bennett, a native of Oakville, Ontario, led his hometown team league finals for the second consecutive season and was a teammate of Mike Ingoldsby and Jeremy Welsh at Oakville.
“Mark will add size and speed to our forward group,” Bennett said. “He can play all three positions, which will help with our overall depth.”
Sam Coatta
Height: 5'9”
Weight: 171
Position: Forward
Hometown: Minnetonka, MN
Previous Team: Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
Coatta has been a dynamic player for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League for the past two seasons. As a team captain in 2010-11, Coatta led the Stampede to the Western Conference Finals after finishing the regular season with a record of 34-20-6. Coatta totaled 66 points in 117 games played over two seasons with Sioux Falls, setting career marks in goals (14) and assists (21) this past year.
“We're looking for Sam to provide energy and speed,” Bennett said. “He has the ability to be a strong presence on our penalty kill and has shown leadership qualities at Sioux Falls.”
Daniel Ciampini
Height: 6'0”
Weight: 178
Position: Forward
Hometown: Concord, Ontario
Previous Team: St. Michael's Buzzers (OJHL)
Ciampini enjoyed a solid offensive career as a forward for the St. Michael's Buzzers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. As team captain, Ciampini was ninth in the OJHL in scoring in 2010-2011, finishing the season with 82 points (33 goals, 49 assists) in 50 regular season games. In parts of four seasons with St. Michael's, Ciampini totaled 208 points in 154 games played.
“Daniel will provide our lineup with an offensive lift and help us fill the void left by the departing class,” Bennett said. “He is the type of player that can be counted on to provide offense, and has proven that in the OJHL.”
Tyson Fulton
Height: 6'1”
Weight: 185
Position: Forward
Hometown: Brooklyn Park, MN
Previous Team: Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
Another Minnesota native, Fulton skated for the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League in 2010-11 after winning a state title at The Breck School. In 57 games for Waterloo, Fulton recorded 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists), leading the team with six power play goals.
“We'll look for Tyson to earn valuable minutes this year with the same hard-working, no-nonsense approach he took in his development last year at the junior level.” Bennett said.
Shayne Gostisbehere
Height: 5'11”
Weight: 170
Position: Defenseman
Hometown: Margate, FL
Previous Team: South Kent School
Gostisbehere, a puck-moving defenseman from Margate, Florida, graduated from the South Kent School in Connecticut this past spring. Gostisbehere, who also played baseball at South Kent, was named the team's Most Valuable Player last season at South Kent after finishing third on the team with 36 points (seven goals, 29 assists) in 31 games.
“Shayne is a very dynamic defenseman who will provide a strong offensive presence on the blue line,” Bennett said.
Trevor Mingoia
Height: 5'10”
Weight: 160
Position: Forward
Hometown: Fairport, NY
Previous Team: Berkshire School
Mingoia, a native of Fairport, NY is a product of the Berkshire School in Sheffield, MA. He led the team in scoring, and will join Union after graduation this past spring. A former prep school teammate of Kevin Sullivan, Mingoia had an impressive offensive campaign last season with 48 points (20 goals, 28 assists) in 29 games played.
“Trevor is another skilled forward who will add speed to our lineup.” Bennett said. “He will provide another scoring threat to our group of forwards”
Max Novak
Height: 6'0”
Weight: 176
Position: Forward
Hometown: Oak Ridge, NJ
Previous Team: New Jersey Hitmen (EJHL)
Novak, a native of Oak Ridge, New Jersey, played for the New Jersey Hitmen of the Eastern Junior Hockey League in 2010-11. He finished fourth in the team in scoring with 61 points (25 goals, 36 assists) in 43 games played, helping the Hitmen earn an EJHL regular season championship.
“Max is another player with good hands and a great hockey sense,” Bennett said. “ He is a strong skater who is similar to Wayne Simpson in his style of play.”
Dillon Pieri
Height: 6'2”
Weight: 180
Position: Goaltender
Hometown: Needham, MA
Previous Team: Boston Advantage Midget Major
Pieri played for the Boston Advantage Hockey Club after a standout prep career at The Rivers School in Weston, MA. In 34 games played with Boston Advantage, Pieri compiled a record of 13-12-6 with a 3.30 goals against average and .907 save percentage with four shutouts.
“Dillon provides depth for us at the goaltending position and has the potential to play in the future as we evaluate his development in the fall,” Bennett said.
Colin Stevens
Height: 6'2”
Weight: 162
Position: Goaltender
Hometown: Niskayuna, NY
Previous Team: Boston Junior Bruins (EJHL)
Stevens, a local product out of Niskayuna, was a standout goaltender for the Boston Junior Bruins of the Eastern Junior Hockey League. He was also called up to the U.S. National Development Under-18 Team during the 2009-10 season. In 29 games with the Junior Bruins this year, Stevens compiled a record of 24-3-0 with a 2.41 goals against average and a .926 save percentage. He also added five shutouts last season.
“Everywhere Colin has been he has had success,” Bennett said. “He provides size in net and athleticism to go along with a great work ethic. He rounds out a great goaltending corps with Dillon and Troy Grosenick.”
Charlie Vasaturo
Height: 6'2”
Weight: 203
Position: Defenseman
Hometown: Sewell, NJ
Previous Team: Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL)
Vasaturo, another New Jersey native, played two seasons for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the British Columbia Hockey League. He compiled 48 points (11 goals, 37 assists) in 114 games played with the Silverbacks, helping Salmon Arm reach the Interior Conference Finals in 2011.
“Charlie will provide size and a physical presence to our blue line,” Bennett said. “He was well liked by his teammates at Salmon Arm and will be a solid team guy here at Union.”
The ten newcomers and the rest of the Dutchmen open the season on Saturday, Oct. 8 with a 7:05 p.m. game at Army.
