This Weekend
Union looks to snap a three-game skid as the Dutchmen open ECAC Hockey play with a home-and-home weekend with the rival Rensselaer Engineers.
Scouting the Engineers
Rensselaer finished the 2021-22 season with a 18-23-3 record. After defeating Dartmouth in three games in the opening round of the ECAC Hockey playoffs, the Engineers fell to eventual Whitelaw Cup champion, Harvard, in the second round, falling 3-1 in game three after two overtime thrillers.
Last weekend, the Engineers faced the USNDTP in an exhibition, falling 3-2. Prior to that, they traveled to Canisius College on Oct. 18 for a non-conference tilt, falling to the Golden Griffins 3-2.
RPI returned 18 letterwinners from the 2021-22 season and welcomed 18 newcomers. Leading the way for the Engineers this season is junior Jakob Lee. Through five games, Lee has 10 points (4-6-10) and is second in the country in points per game. All four of Lee's goals this season have come on the powerplay.
Sophomore Jack Watson has been solid in his second season between the pipes for the Engineers. Through five games, Watson has a 4-1-0 record including a shutout against LIU on Oct. 14. The sophomore has only surrendered 12 goals during that time while making 129 saves. Watson boasts a 2.41 GAA and a .915 save percentage.
Conference Play Begins
Union opens conference play this weekend against rival RPI. The Dutchmen finished the 2021-22 season with a pair of overtime losses to Clarkson after sweeping Princeton in the opening round of the ECAC Hockey Playoffs.
Scheerer Scores
Junior
Bram Scheerer scored his first collegiate goal last weekend against UMass. After losing his freshman season to the pandemic, he saw his sophomore season cut short only eight games in with a season-ending injury against Clarkson. To date, Scheerer has appeared in 13 career games and has four points (1-3-4).
Mr. 100
Senior
Chris Theodore will play in his 100th career game on Friday night. Theodore, a transfer from AIC, has played in all eight games for Union this season and tallied four assists. The 2021-22 Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year has compiled 62 points (20-42-62) throughout his career.
Reigning Rookies
Union's first-year defenders are off to a hot start.
Nick Young was named the ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week on Oct. 10 after scoring his first collegiate goal and blocking five shots against nationally-ranked UConn.
John Prokop earned the honor the following week after tallying an assist on five of Union's 10 goals between Oct. 13 and 15.
Top of the Pack
First-year
Nate Hanley is one of the leading scorers in the nation with eight points in eight games. Classmate
John Prokop sits right behind him with seven points, which is first among first-year defenders.
Watkins Lights the Lamp
Junior
Tyler Watkins has already matched his goal total from last year. Watkins scored twice on the powerplay in the 5-1 win over Bentley and followed up with two goals at RIT.
Faceoff Success
Junior
Ville Immonen is seeing a lot of success in the circle, winning 52.2% of his draws. The forward has 60 wins on the season, placing him 24th nationally and second in the conference, only eight off the conference leader.
Powerplay Makes Statement
After a slow start to the season, Union's powerplay made a statement in a 5-1 win over Bentley, striking three times, including twice in the opening period.
Spread the Wealth
Through six games, Union has seen 19 of 23 skaters score at least one point. Seven of the eight first-year skaters all have at least one point.
On the Road October
October is the busiest month for the Dutchmen with 10 games on the slate. Of those 10, only three are at home.
New Kids on the Block
First-years
Nate Hanley,
Carter Korpi,
John Prokop, and
Cal Mell, as well as sophomore
Josh Nixon and senior
Chris Theodore all tallied their first points for Union in the opening weekend. In total, newcomers accounted for 12 of the 15 points scored (4-8-12).
New Bench Boss
Josh Hauge was named the 22nd head coach in Union hockey's history on April 15, 2022. Hauge was previously the Associate Head Coach at ECAC Hockey rival Clarkson University. Hauge earned his first coaching victory in Union's home opener, a 4-3 win over RIT on Oct. 1, 2022.
Transfer Commits
The coaching staff was active in the transfer portal this offseason, committing four student-athletes:
Chris Theodore (AIC),
Mason Snell (Penn State),
Josh Nixon (Lake Superior State) and
Ben Tupker (Cornell).
Rounding Out the Staff
Joining
Josh Hauge and Assistant Coach
John Ronan behind the bench is
Lennie Childs, who previously served as an assistant coach with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL.
New Numbers
Josh Phillips and
Thomas Richter changed numbers this season and will wear 4 and 9, respectively.
Set Records
Senior
Connor Murphy made an immediate impact for Union in his first season. He set the program's new single-season save records with 1,060.
Looking to Surprise
Union was picked to finished eighth in the ECAC Hockey preseason coaches poll, earning 45 points. Local media were more optimistic, picking the Dutchmen to finish sixth in the preseason media poll.
NHL Bloodlines
Sophomore
Thomas Richter and junior
Mason Snell are sons of retired NHLers Mike Richter (New York Rangers 1989-2002) and Chris Snell (Toronto, Los Angeles 1993-95), respectively.
