This Weekend
After a 28 day pause, the Dutchmen open 2022 with a trip to #19 Harvard on Saturday.
Media Coverage
Fans can watch this weekend's game on ESPN+. Live stats will be available through GoCrimson.com.
Social Media
Receive real-time updates during all Union men's hockey games by following the team's official Twitter account @UnionMHockey. Additional behind-the-scenes looks are also available through the team's official Instagram account, @UnionMHockey.
vs. Harvard
Union and Harvard have met 59 times since 1991, with the Crimson holding 36-17-6 lead in the series. The last meeting was on February 29, 2020 in Cambridge, with the Dutchmen falling 4-1.
Scouting the Crimson
After not playing in 2020-21, the Crimson are 7-4-1 through 12 games and have earned recognition each week this season in the national polls. Harvard is on a two-game win streak, defeating Yale, 5-3, and UConn, 6-3.
After going 4-0 to start the season, the Crimson went on a skid posting a 2-4-1 record between November 8 and December 4.
Harvard is led offensively by junior Nick Abruzzese who has 18 points (4-14-18) in 12 games. The sophomore duo of Sean Farrell and Alex Laferriere have combined for 30 points so far in their first collegiate seasons.
After starting the season 3-0, junior Mitchell Gibson is 5-4-0 in net, with a .905 save percentage and 2.30 goals against, and an assist.
Steady Seger
Junior assistant captain
Gabriel Seger has been a steady presence in the faceoff circle for the Dutchmen. The junior is winning 53.1 percent of faceoffs.
Aside from his steadying presence in the circle, Seger has made an impact on the Dutchmen offense. The junior is tied for second on the team with eight points (2-6-8). Union is 4-2-1 when Seger scores a point.
Meet Murphy
Junior transfer
Connor Murphy has been excellent between the pipes for the Dutchmen. Murphy stopped 89 shots in the series against Maine, including 51 stops on December 10, earning ECAC Hockey Goalie of the Week for the second time this season. The 51 saves ranks ninth in Union's Division I single-game record list and ranks first in Division I this season for a single game. Murphy has stopped 502 shots this season, which ranks fourth nationally, on the way to a 5-8-1 record with two shutouts.
Ironman Estes
Senior defenseman
Brandon Estes played in his 100th consecutive game on December 10 at Maine. The last game Estes missed was on February 3, 2018. The senior has played in 126 career games for the Dutchmen (12-33-45).
Kozi's Kids
Senior captain
Josh Kosack launched his second Kozi's Kids fundraiser on November 15 to benefit C.O.C.O.A. House, a non-profit that provides a safe place for inner-city Schenectady children to go after school with a focus on building life skills, academics, and mentorship. After raising over $5,000 for new laptops and Christmas presents in a year without Dutchmen hockey, the captain is aiming higher this year. The goal is to raise $20,000. The non-profit recently purchased the building next door in order to create a second space for kids to go with an emphasis on a state-of-the-art entrepreneurship space, a lounge area, study rooms, and other resources. The money will go to developing a Kozi's Kids lounge and purchasing Christmas presents for children in the Tri-City area.
A very generous donor has agreed to match every dollar raised up to $10,000. As of 5:00 p.m. on January 6, over $20,000 was raised between online donations and money sent directly to C.O.C.O.A. House. To learn more about the fundraiser, or to donate, please visit UnionAthletics.com/KozisKids. A final amount raised will be announced in the next few weeks.
Ranked Robertson
Sophomore forward
Liam Robertson is off to a great start this season. Robertson is ranked 12th nationally and second in the conference with four power-play goals through 17 games. The forward is tied for first on the team with nine points (6-3-9), five of which came on special teams (4-1-5).
Dutchmen Earn Player of the Week Honors
Following a career game against Merrimack College,
Liam Robertson was named the ECAC Hockey Player of the Week. After their performances against Maine, first-year
Caden Villegas earned Rookie of the Week accolades and junior
Connor Murphy earned his second Goalie of the Week honor.
Lighting The Lamp Fast
Union scored the first goal in seven out of its first ten games played this season, including three games in which the Dutchmen scored within the first 2:01 of the game. Despite that advantage, Union was only 2-3-2 in those seven contests.
First-Year Force
First-year
Michael Hodge has established himself as a steady offensive presence in the first 12 games. The forward started the season on a five-game point streak, registering three goals and three assists during that time. Hodge is tied for first on the team with nine points.
How Sweep It Is
On Monday, October 18, the ECAC announced a clean sweep of their weekly awards by the Dutchmen. Senior
Brandon Estes earned Player of the Week honors, scoring one goal and adding three assists from the blue line. Junior
Connor Murphy garnered Goalie of the Week recognition, posting a 1.92 goals against average and a .945 save percentage with 69 saves in two contests. First-year
Collin Graf played a role in both Union goals in Friday's 2-1 win over the Tigers, scoring his first collegiate goal on the power play and then picking up the primary assist on Estes' game-winning goal.
This marked the first time that Union swept the weekly awards since March 2014 when Daniel Carr '14 (Player), Colin Stevens '15 (Goalie), and Mike Vecchione '17 (Rookie) were all recognized.
Oh Captains, My Captains
Senior
Josh Kosack will wear the captains' "C" this season while juniors
Dylan Anhorn and
Gabriel Seger will don the "A" for the Dutchmen in 2021-22. Kosack is captaining the team for the second straight season, after serving as a team leader during the 2020-21 pandemic year.
Looking to Surprise
Union was picked to finish in a tie for eighth in the ECAC Hockey preseason coaches poll, earning 40 points to tie with Rensselaer. The local media were even more pessimistic about Union's chances, voting the Dutchmen 11th out of 12 teams (26 points) in the preseason media poll.
Welcome to the Show
Heading into the 2021-22 season, more than half (16 of 31) of Union's players have never played in a collegiate game. Seven sophomores were with the team last year but did not compete, as Union did not play due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program also welcomed eight first-year players to the team this season as well.
