This Weekend
After defeating Army West Point 6-0 in the season opener, Union heads west for a reunion with Kris Mayotte '06 in a two-game series at NCHC foe Colorado College.
New Year, New Name
Union's teams will be playing under a new name this season, as the College rebranded as the Garnet Chargers over the summer. Garnet has been Union's official school color for more than 150 years, while Chargers harkens to Schenectady's legacy as a hub of electrical innovation and invention. With the rebrand comes an additional Union "U" logo, which will be used alongside the traditional "Block U" logo that has been in place for many years.
Nice to Meet You
Union welcomes eight newcomers to the program for the 2023-24 season, including two transfers and six first-years. They hail from six states and two Canadian provinces and consist of four forwards, three defenders, and one goaltender.
Scouting the Tigers
The Tigers open the 2023-24 season with a two-game series against Union after defeating Simon Fraser 6-3 in an exhibition game last weekend. Colorado College finished the 2022-23 campaign with a 13-22-3 overall record and made it to the NCHC Frozen Faceoff title game, ultimately falling 0-3 to St. Cloud State. The team welcomed nine first-year players and a transfer to the team. Goaltender Kaidan Mbereko was named to the 2023 Preseason All-NCHC Team.
The Tigers are led up front by junior Stanley Cooley who has 38 points (12-26-38) in 74 career games. On the blue line, senior Nicklas Andres has played in 93 career games and registered 32 points (7-25-32). Current sophomore Noah Laba is player to watch after scoring 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points as a first-year.
Season Opening Shutout
Sophomore
Kyle Chauvette was stellar in Union's 6-0 victory over Army West Point on Sunday. The shutout to open the season is the first for Union in exactly 13 years. The last season opening shutout was on October 8, 2010, a 9-0 shutout of Sacred Heart.
Reunion on Deck
Union will reunite with Kris Mayotte '06 this weekend. Mayotte is second in Union's Division I history with 2,977 career saves and second in shutouts with 10.
NHL Season Begins
Shayne Gostisbehere was on the opening night roster for the Detroit Red Wings, marking the start of his ninth full season in the NHL. Keith Kinkaid rejoined the NJ Devils on a one-year deal in the offseason, but was placed on IR after suffering an injury in preseason.
Raise the Banner
Mike Vecchione '17 and the Hershey Bears captured the organization's 12th Calder Cup last June on Vecchione's game 7 overtime winner. The Bears will raise their championship banner on Saturday. Vecchione becomes the second Union alumnus to raise the Calder Cup and the first in Union's Division I era. He joins Union Hall of Famer Steve Baker '85 who won a Calder Cup with the Maine Mariners in 1984.
Transfer Commits
Union added two out of the transfer portal in the offseason. Junior
Cole Kodsi joins the team from Bentley University (AHA) and sophomore
Brandon Buhr comes from ECAC Hockey foe Clarkson University. Kodsi, a former captain with the Falcons, skated in 83 career games and scored 41 points (18-23-41). Buhr left Clarkson last December to return to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL) where he registered 18 points (12-6-18) before leading the team in playoff scoring with 24 points (8-16-24) in 19 playoff games.
Looking to Surprise
Union was picked to finish eighth in the ECAC Hockey preseason coaches poll, earning 45 points.
Defense First
Sophomore defender
John Prokop earned a spot on the ECAC All-Rookie team last season after a stellar first-year campaign. Prokop is the first rookie defenseman in Union's Division I history to lead the team in scoring. The last defenseman to lead the team in scoring was Brandon Estes in the 2021-22 season and the last rookie to lead in points was Adam Presizniuk in the 2007-08 season.
