SCHENECTADY, NY—Entering his eighth season behind the bench for the Union College men's ice hockey team, Jason Tapp will now serve as the program's Associate Head Coach. The announcement was made Monday by head coach Rick Bennett.
 
"Jason has committed himself to the success of this program for the last seven years," Bennett stated. "He is an excellent hockey coach in all areas of the game and his contributions to our team have been tremendous. This promotion is one that is well-earned."
 
The team's defensive/goaltending coach, Tapp has developed five All-Americans and two Hobey Baker finalists in six seasons at Union: defensemen Mat Bodie and Shayne Gostisbehere (Hobey Baker finalist), along with goaltenders Troy Grosenick (Hobey Baker finalist), Keith Kinkaid, and Colin Stevens.

In terms of ECAC Hockey award winners, Tapp has produced three Goaltenders of the Year (Stevens, Grosenick, Kinkaid), a Best Defensive Defenseman (Gostisbehere), 10 all-league selections and three all-rookie team members.


Under Tapp's direction, Union finished with the nation's top scoring defense in 2011-12, allowing just 1.83 goals per game. The Dutchmen also ranked fourth in scoring defense in 2013-14 and seventh in 2012-13. During his time in the Electric City, Tapp has seen seven goaltenders record a total 28 shutouts. Last season, freshman Jake Kupsky became the first goaltender in the program's Division I era to record a shutout in his first start.

In 2014-15, Tapp worked with All-ECAC Third Team defenseman Jeff Taylor, and saw Colin Stevens finish as the school's career leader in wins (53) and co-leader in shutouts (11).

During Union's 2013-14 national championship season, Dutchmen goaltenders won seven weekly conference awards and were twice named goaltenders of the month. On two occasions, Union had multiple goaltenders honored in the same week.

Tapp is also heavily involved in Union's recruiting efforts. During his tenure with the Dutchmen, Union produced the nation's eighth-highest scoring freshman class in 2013-14 and the 12th-highest in 2014-15. Last season, Union's rookies were fourth-highest scoring freshman class in ECAC Hockey with 24 goals and 34 assists for 58 points, including a league-best eight power play goals.