This Weekend
After enjoying a few weeks off for fall term final exams and Thanksgiving, Union is back in action for a solo game against #18/19 Northeastern. Teaming up with the women's hockey team, the first 25 fans to drop off a new toy at Messa Rink at the women's and men's hockey games on Saturday will receive a beanie, courtesy of New Country Lexus of Latham. All donations will benefit the annual Christmas toy drive organized by C.O.C.O.A. House. New Country Lexus of Latham will also provide free hot chocolate to the first 300 fans making donations to the toy drive as part of their Give a Gift, Get a Gift initiative.
Scouting the Huskies
Northeastern is looking to bounce back after dropping a pair of games to end November, falling to #9/11 Boston University at home on Nov. 19, before dropping a 6-4 decision to #15 Western Michigan at the 2022 Music City Hockey Classic. The Broncos eliminated the Huskies from the NCAA Tournament this past spring in a 2-1 overtime game in Worcester, finishing the 21-22 season with a 25-13-1 record.
The Huskies are led by senior captain Aidan McDonough, who has 21 points (10-11-21) in 14 games, including five power-play goals. McDonough is third in the country in points per game with 1.50. Sophomore Justin Hryckowian is second on the team in scoring with 19 points (9-10-19) in 15 games and is first in the nation in faceoff wins with 210.
The Huskies will likely turn to junior Devon Levi in net. The reigning Mike Richter Award winner has started in 14 games for the Huskies, compiling a 7-4-3 record with a .936 save percentage and a 2.11 GAA. His three shutouts rank him second nationally and his .936 save percentage places him third in the nation.
Last Time Out
Union has not played a game in 21 days after splitting the weekend with Dartmouth (W, 4-1) and Harvard (L, 1-5). The Dutchmen had time off for final exams and Thanksgiving before returning to the ice this week. Junior
Mason Snell netted his first goal for Union in the 4-1 victory against Dartmouth.
Reunion on Deck
Saturday marks a reunion for senior captain
Connor Murphy as he faces off against his former team. Murphy played for two years at Northeastern before joining Union last season. Since transferring to Union, Murphy has four shutouts on the way to a 19-24-4 record, a .912 save percentage and a 2.84 GAA. He is Union's record holder in single-season saves and tied for sixth in career shutouts.
Robertson Scores Unassisted
Junior
Liam Robertson is the only current member of the team that has found the scoresheet against Northeastern. Robertson scored his first collegiate goal, unassisted, against Northeastern on Oct. 11, 2019.
Oh Captains, My Captains
On Nov. 3, head coach
Josh Hauge named seniors
Owen Farris and
Connor Murphy and junior
Ben Tupker as the captains for the 2022-23 season.
He'd Be Honored
First-year
Nate Hanley was named the ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Month for October. The last time a Dutchman earned Rookie of the Month honors was on January 5, 2016 when Sebastian Vidmar was recognized. Hanley leads all Union skaters in points (3-10-13).
No Place Like Home
Union has only played five of their 14 games so far at home this season, posting a 4-1 record on home ice. Union won all three games in October. The Dutchmen defeated Dartmouth on Nov. 11 before falling to Harvard on the 12th.
Shut 'Em Out
Senior
Connor Murphy posted his first shutout of the season and fourth since transferring to Union in the Oct. 29 6-0 win over the Engineers. In Union's Division I era, they had not blanked RPI at home. The lone shutout was back on February 23, 1924, a 7-0 win.
Murph Keeps Climbing
Senior
Connor Murphy continues his climb up the Union record books. His fourth shutout at Union ties him with Keith Kinkaid '11 for sixth place in career shutouts. Murphy needs one more shutout to move into a tie for fifth place with Justin Mrazek '08. He's also only 115 saves away from tying Kinkaid in career saves with 1,500.
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 14 career games and has four points (1-3-4).
Mr. 100
Senior
Chris Theodore played in his 100th career game on Friday, Oct. 21. Theodore, a transfer from AIC, has played in all 14 games for Union this season and tallied six assists. The 2021-22 Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year has compiled 64 points (20-44-64) 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.
Cal Mell picked up his first weekly honor on Oct. 31.
Nate Hanley was named the Rookie of the Month after scoring a conference-leading nine points in 10 games.
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. The junior tallied his team-leading third power-play goal on Saturday, Oct. 29 against RPI.
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.
