SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College men's hockey coaching staff announced the addition of 13 student-athletes for the 2022-23 season. The incoming squad includes seven forwards, five defensemen, and one goaltender, representing eight states and three Canadian provinces. The class is made up of nine first-years and four transfer students. 

"I'm extremely excited about the class that will be joining us this fall," said head coach Josh Hauge. "We have some outstanding men who are going to become valuable members of our program right away."
 
Ethan Benz • 6-1 • 190 • Forward • Shoots: Left • Shakopee, Minn. • Previous Team: St. Cloud Norsemen (NAHL)

Prior to Union: Split the 2021-22 season between the Chippewa Steel and the St. Cloud Norsemen of the NAHL … played a combined 75 games between the two teams, recording 55 points (22-33-55) … helped guide the Norsemen to a Central Division Championship along with Union classmate Nick Young … named a NAHL Top Prospect in back-to-back years … earned NAHL Midwest Player of the Week October 25-31 … skated in 29 games for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in 2019 and helped the team capture the Midwest Division Championship … played in 156 NAHL games across four teams and registered 97 points (41-56-97).

Why Union: "I was drawn to the prestige and history of Union College along with its rigorous academics. The location, campus, coaching staff, and competitive hockey program and conference checked every box of mine."

Ronan on Benz: Ethan is a power forward that can be relied upon in all situations. He has size, skating ability, scoring touch and a heaviness to his game that will make him an extremely difficult opponent to play against.
 
Kyle Chauvette • 6-1 • 170 • Goaltender • Catches: Left • Goffstown, N.H. • Previous Team: Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)

Prior to Union: Played two seasons with the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL … appeared in 37 games for the Phantoms in 2021-22, posting an .892 save percentage, 3.33 GAA and 15-13-7 record … earned USHL Goaltender of the Week honors twice during the season … represented USA Hockey on the U-17 Five Nations Team in Ostrava, Czech Republic in 2017.

Why Union: "Union College provides a balance of top-notch academics and an elite hockey program with a winning tradition. As soon as I stepped on campus, I knew Union was the right fit for me. The beautiful campus and the small, tight-knit feel of the community both appealed to me. The College has a long history of providing players with the tools necessary to reach their highest potential both in the classroom and on the ice." 

Ronan on Chauvette: "Kyle comes to Union after spending the past two seasons with Youngstown in the USHL. Kyle is highly competitive, athletic and moves effortlessly in his crease."  
 
Nate Hanley • 5-11 • 185 • Forward • Shoots: Right • Rocky Point, N.Y. • Previous Team: Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)

Prior to Union: Played four seasons in the USHL with three different teams, including a pair of stints with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders … played 53 games for the RoughRiders in 2021-22, recording 27 points (9-18-27) and serving as the assistant captain … tallied 25 points (10-15-25) in his first full season in the USHL with Cedar Rapids in 2019-20 … finished with 63 points in 162 USHL games with Cedar Rapids, Green Bay and Youngstown.

Why Union: "I chose Union College because of its prestigious academic and hockey history. The coaches at Union are providing me with a great opportunity to develop and excel as a hockey player. I also loved the small size of the school and think it will be a good fit for my academic goals."

Ronan on Hanley: "Nate is a skilled, smart centerman that has a track record of production. His four years of junior experience in the USHL has him prepared to impact our lineup immediately."
 
Greg Japchen • 6-4 • 205 • Defenseman • Shoots: Left • Doylestown, Pa. • Previous Team: North Iowa Bulls (NAHL)

Prior to Union: Spent the last two seasons in the NAHL with the Amarillo/North Iowa Bulls … recorded 53 points in 106 games from the blue line … skated in 51 games for North Iowa in 2021-22, tallying 27 points (11-16-27) in 51 games … recorded 26 points (13-13-26) in 55 games for Amarillo in the 2020-21 season.

Why Union: "Union became my dream school after watching them win the national championship in 2014. Ever since I watched that game in person, I have always wanted to attend Union to further my academics and athletic endeavors. It's a beautiful campus in an amazing area that I have grown around and loved all my life."

Ronan on Japchen: "Greg is a big, mobile defenseman that plays with bite. He possesses a big shot from the point and has registered double-digit goals in consecutive NAHL seasons."
 
Carter Korpi • 6-0 • 185 • Forward • Shoots: Right • South Lyon, Mich. • Previous Team: Wichita Falls Warriors (NAHL)

Prior to Union: Appeared in 40 games for the Wichita Falls Warriors of the NAHL in 2021-22 and averaged almost a point per game with 42 points (16-26-42) in 45 contests … split the 2020-21 season between the Minot Minotauros and the Wichita Falls Warriors, tallying 35 points (18-17-35) in 50 games between the two teams … member of the 2019 Detroit Catholic Central state championship team and earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team.

Why Union: "I chose Union because, when searching for a college to play hockey at, a crucial part in the decision-making process was academics. With Union, it was evident that they provide a world-class education for their students that can set them up for success after college. From a hockey standpoint, Union has had an excellent hockey program for years, and I couldn't turn down an opportunity to be a part of the culture."

Ronan on Korpi: "Carter comes to Union after producing nearly a point per game in Wichita Falls last season. He brings the combination of size and skating ability to our forward group and is someone that has the ability to impact the game in all three zones."
 
Colby MacArthur • 6-3 • 185 • Forward • Shoots: Right • Summerside, Prince Edward Island • Previous Team: Summerside Western Capitals (MHL)

Prior to Union: Spent the last three seasons with the Summerside Western Capitals of the MHL … recorded 163 points (47-116-163) in 127 games in three years … averaged almost two points per game for Summerside in 2021-22, meaning the MHL regular-season scoring title with 75 points (18-57-75) in 38 games … scored 19 points (8-11-19) in 14 playoff games on the way to winning the MHL Championship and earning MHL Playoff MVP honors … competed in the 2022 Centennial Cup Canadian Junior A Nationals and was named the 2022 Centennial Cup Most Sportsmanlike Player … competed at the 2019 Team Canada East World Junior A Championships.

Why Union: "I chose Union College because of the great hockey program as well as the amazing academics. A close-knit school with such a rich history made it even more appealing."

Ronan on MacArthur: "Colby is a big, highly skilled forward who led the MHL in scoring with nearly two points per game. He is a tremendous playmaker with great IQ and poise and comes to Union fresh off a championship with the Summerside Western Capitals."
 
Cal Mell • 5-11 • 180 • Defenseman • Shoots: Right • Alpharetta, Ga. • Previous Team: Janesville Jets (NAHL)

Prior to Union: Spent the last two seasons with the Janesville Jets of the NAHL … appeared in 60 games for Janesville in 2021-22, logging 39 points (3-36-39) in 60 games from the blue line … served as team captain … named NAHL Defenseman of the Month in November 2021 … played in the 2021 and 2022 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament … finished with 49 points in two seasons with Janesville.

Why Union: "After playing my last two years in the Midwest, I knew I wanted to get back east and I wanted a school that had a business or economics major and would allow me to further my hockey career. The managerial economics major at Union was a great fit for what I was looking for, and the hockey program is tremendous. The team has great history and many great players have passed through here. Union offered the perfect combination of strong academics and athletics."

Ronan on Mell: "Cal is a player that really popped this past season in Janesville. He was among the top scoring defensemen in the NAHL. He is skilled and poised with the puck and excels on the power play."

John Prokop • 6-3 • 185 • Defenseman • Shoots: Left • Wausau, Wisc. • Previous Team: Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)

Prior to Union: Played for the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL over the last two seasons … recorded 15 points (1-14-15) in 58 games on the blue line in 2021-22 and tallied 12 points (1-11-12) in the 2020-21 season … split the 2019-20 season between the Muskegon Lumberjacks and the Green Bay Gamblers, combining for 41 games played … named to the 2019 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

Why Union: "I chose Union because of the tight community, where everybody knows everybody. The school had the major I was interested in and I wanted to be a part of the history of the hockey program."

Ronan on Prokop: "John is a long, athletic defenseman that has spent four years in the USHL. He is a smart, reliable defender and puck mover that will be a steady presence on our blue line."
 
Nick Young • 6-3 • 215 • Defenseman • Shoots: Right • Raleigh, N.C. • Previous Team: St. Cloud Norsemen (NAHL)

Prior to Union: Played two seasons with the St. Cloud Norsemen of the NAHL … scored 22 points (5-17-22) in 60 regular season games played and added two points (1-1-2) in 11 playoff games … captained the team to the NAHL Robertson Cup Playoffs and a Central Division Championship, playing with Union classmate Ethan Benz … selected to play in the 2022 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament … split 2020-21 season between St. Cloud and the Lone Star Brahmas, finishing with 12 points from the blue line.

Why Union: "Union was the perfect fit for me. I love a smaller type of school and the campus is beautiful. The academic aspect of Union is very competitive and the athletic part is exceptional. I love the fact that I can challenge myself on and off the ice."

Ronan on Young: Nick is a big bodied defenseman that is hard to play against. He has very good offensive instincts as well as hockey IQ. The former St. Cloud Norsemen captain will bring a physical element to our back end.
 
Josh Nixon • 5-9 • 175 • Forward • Shoots: Right • Mississauga, Ontario • Previous Team: Lake Superior State University (CCHA)

Prior to Union: Skated in all 37 games for Lake Superior State University as a first-year in 2021-22 … tallied 20 points (8-12-20) and led all LSSU first-years in goals, assists, and points … named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team … earned CCHA Rookie of the Week honors twice and named the CCHA Rookie of the Month in October … recorded four multi-point games … scored his first collegiate goal and recorded a season-high four points against Union (10/22) … spent the 2020-21 season with the Maryland Black Bears of the NAHL and posted 23 points (9-14-23) in 42 games … part of an OJHL title team in 2018 with the Oakville Blades, logging 43 points (19-24-43) in 44 games to help the Blades to a Dudley Hewitt Cup Championship.

Why Union: "For me, playing hockey is important but academics are equally as important and Union offers an excellent program in both athletics and academics. I loved the campus environment and felt extremely welcomed by the coaching staff."

Hauge on Nixon: "Josh has great vision and play making ability. He is extremely fast and plays the game with a lot of pace. He will be relied on to help create offense as well as bring energy every night."
 
Mason Snell • 6-0 • 195 • Defenseman • Shoots: Left • Courtice, Ontario • Previous Team: Penn State University (Big Ten)

Prior to Union: Played two seasons for Penn State University, appearing in 47 games for the Nittany Lions … logged four points (2-2-4) in 21 games from the blue line as a sophomore … netted a season-high two goals against Notre Dame (3/5) … skated in 26 games as a first-year in 2019-20 and tallied five points (2-3-5) … spent the 2018-19 season with the Penticton Vees of the BCHL and recorded 21 points (5-11-21) in 58 games … skated for the Wellington Dukes of the OJHL in 2017-18 and helped the team to a Buckland Cup championship and a Dudley Hewitt Cup Championship … played in the World Junior A Challenge for Canada West in 2018 and Canada East in 2017.

Why Union: "I decided to make the move to Union because of its top-notch academics and storied hockey program. I look forward to being a part of the tight-knit community that being a Dutchman has to offer."

Hauge on Snell: "Mason will add some much-needed experience to our blue line.  He is a fierce competitor on the defensive side, he has the ability to move pucks quickly and join the attack on offense."
 
Chris Theodore • 5-7 • 180 • Forward • Shoots: Left • Beaconsfield, Quebec • Previous Team: American International College (AHA)

Prior to Union: Played for four years at American International College, recording 58 points (20-38-58) in 91 games … had a breakout senior year with 29 points (10-19-29) in 35 games … recorded 24 points in 24 conference games to earn Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year honors and All-Atlantic Hockey first-team recognition … helped the Yellow Jackets to four consecutive regular season titles and three Atlantic Hockey tournament championships … spent 2017-18 season with the Cornwall Colts (CCHL) and averaged a point per game with 22 points (16-6-22) in 22 games. 

Why Union: "I chose Union because of the high academic standards, the beautiful campus and the storied hockey program."

Hauge on Theodore: "Chris brings a high level of skill to our forward group. He has scored at every level and we expect him to step right into our lineup and add an offensive punch."
 
Ben Tupker • 6-3 • 215 • Forward • Shoots: Left • Collingwood, Ontario. • Previous Team: Cornell University (ECAC)

Prior to Union: Played 33 games over two seasons for Cornell University … dressed in 25 games as a junior, recording two goals and four assists for six points … registered first collegiate multi-point game (1-1-2) against Rensselaer (11/13) … saw action in eight games as a first-year in 2019-20 and scored two goals, including one game winner … played three years of junior hockey with the Carleton Place Canadians of the CCHL … named to the 2019 CCHL All-Star third team with 56 points (24-32-56) in 59 games … selected to play in the 2018 CJHL Top Prospects game … participated in the Eastern Canada Cup Challenge in back-to-back seasons … won a bronze medal with the CCHL All-Star team at the 2018-19 Junior Club World Cup in Sochi, Russia.

Why Union: "I chose Union because I wanted to be a part of a new era in Union College hockey while also trying to build upon the great history that the hockey program has. This, in addition to Union's great education, made it the perfect place for me to continue my college hockey and academic careers."

Hauge on Tupker: "Ben is a player that I recruited in the past and we are lucky enough to get him this time. He is a leader that plays with a high level of compete. He does the little things that help teams win hockey games and can play in all situations and roles."