SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Union College head men's hockey coach Josh Hauge has announced the eight newcomers for the 2023-24 season. The incoming class consists of two transfer students and six first-years. Hailing from four states and two Canadian provinces, the class is comprised of four forwards, three defenders, and one goaltender.

"I'm really excited for the eight newcomers to our program," said Hauge. "Every player has demonstrated leadership experience with their previous teams and they will have a great impact on the future of our program. I can't wait to get on the ice with them this fall."

Brandon Buhr • 6-2 • 200 • Forward • Shoots: Right • North Vancouver, British Columbia • Clarkson University (ECACH)
 
Ronan on Buhr: "Brandon comes to Union fresh off a run to the British Columbia Hockey League final where he bolstered the Alberni Valley Bulldogs averaging 1.26 points per game in the playoffs. Brandon is the total package. His size, skill and skating ability and will enhance our offense immediately."
 
Prior to Union: Appeared in nine games for Clarkson University last season … finished 2022-23 season with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL) and registered 18 points (12-6-18) in 21 regular season games … tallied 24 points (8-16-24) in 19 playoff games … skated for the Bulldogs in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons and totaled 79 points (39-40-79) in 70 games.
 
Why Union: "I chose Union because of the great history of their hockey program as well as the great coaching. I also chose Union because of the supportive community and excellent academics."
 
DJ Hart • 6-3 • 210 • Defense • Shoots: Right • Stamford, Conn. • Lincoln Stars (USHL)

Ronan on Hart: "DJ comes to Union from the Lincoln Stars after two successful seasons in the USHL. DJ is a throwback defenseman. He is big, physical and plays with bite. He will make our back end very hard to play against."
 
Prior to Union: Skated in 49 regular games for the Lincoln Stars (USHL) and recorded five points (2-3-5) … appeared in 48 regular season games in the 2021-22 season for the Madison Capitols and tallied 13 points (4-9-13) … skated in 14 playoff games and scored three points (1-2-3) including a goal in the game five of the Eastern Conference finals to send the Capitols to their first Clark Cup appearance in franchise history.
 
Why Union: "Union offers everything I could ever need in both academics and athletics."
 
Jacob Jeannette • 6-1 • 200 • Forward • Shoots: Left • Duluth, Minn. • Tri-City Storm (USHL)

Ronan on Jeannette: "Jacob is a four-year USHL veteran that comes to us from the Tri-City Storm. Jacob is a workhorse that can impact anywhere up and down our lineup. He is a big centerman that plays a heavy game and has the skill set to bring offense to our group."
 
Prior to Union: Split the 2022-23 season between the Tri-City Storm (USHL) and the Dubuque Fighting Saints and totaled 18 points (6-12-18) in 61 games … served as an assistant captain for the Waterloo Black Hawks in the 2021-22 season … played in 46 regular season games and tallied 23 points (8-15-23) as well as one point (0-1-1) in six playoff games.
 
Why Union: "The combination of a hockey program hungry to excel in the right direction and a prestigious school was the perfect storm for me."
 
Cole Kodsi • 6-2 • 200 • Forward • Shoots: Left • Delray Beach, Fla. • Bentley University (AHA)

Ronan on Kodsi: "Cole is a transfer student from Bentley University where he has been among their top scorers the past two seasons. Cole is a big body forward that has great touch around the net. He will bring a veteran presence and leadership to our forward group."
 
Prior to Union: Skated in 83 games for Bentley University (AHA) over three seasons and tallied 41 points (18-13-41) … appeared in 34 games in 2022-23 as the assistant captain and recorded 16 points (7-19-23) … recorded best collegiate season in 2021-22 with 23 points (10-13-23) in 33 games … made collegiate debut against Holy Cross (12/1/20) and scored first collegiate goal against American International College (12/18/20 … spent three seasons in the USHL with the Omaha Lancers, Madison Capitols, and the Chicago Steel.  
 
Why Union: "I was able to connect with the players, coaching staff, and people on campus right away on my visit, and knew it would be a great fit. I was looking to join an elite hockey culture and academic institution which was evident for me at Union. I am also eager to help bring a championship back to Union."

Joseph Messina • 5-9 • 185 • Defense • Shoots: Left • Woodbridge, Ontario • Langley Rivermen (BCHL)

Ronan on Messina: "Joseph is a great skating, smart, skilled defenseman that will be relied upon in all situations. He played for the Langley Rivermen of the British Colombia Hockey League where he served as Captain last season."
 
Prior to Union: Served as team captain for the Langley Rivermen (BCHL) in the 2022-23 season … appeared in 38 regular season games for the Rivermen and recorded 21 points (6-15-21) … tallied three points (1-2-3) in six playoff games … named a recipient of the Kyle Turris Community Award for his work in the community… registered 33 points (8-25-33) in 54 regular season games in the 2021-22 season … scored nine points (2-7-9) in 15 playoff games.  
 
Why Union: "I chose union because it provides a top-notch education while also allowing me to focus on my athletic goals. The entire hockey staff are first class individuals and were a big part in why I chose to come to Union."

Eli Pilosof • 5-10 • 180 • Forward • Shoots: Right • Toronto, Ontario • Pickering Panthers (OJHL)

Ronan on Pilosof: "Eli is a very smart and skilled forward that comes to us from the Pickering Panthers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. Eli has been a dominant player over four seasons in the OJHL and we look to bring his play making abilities to our lineup."
 
Prior to Union: Recorded 33 points (17-16-33) in 31 regular season games for the Pickering Panthers (OJHL) and six points (2-4-6) in five playoff games in the 2022-23 season … skated in 32 regular season games for Pickering in the 2021-22 season and registered 48 points (20-28-48) … scored in game seven to capture the Buckland Cup and helped the Panthers to a Centennial Cup Final in the 2021-22 season with seven points (3-4-7) in 14 playoff games.
 
Why Union: "I chose Union for the strong academics, amazing facilities and the respected hockey program."

Joey Potter • 5-11 • 185 • Defense • Shoots: Right • Pittsburgh, Pa. • Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL)

Ronan on Potter: "Joey is a dynamic defenseman whose biggest asset is his skating ability. He finished third among defenseman scoring in the NAHL averaging just under one point per game for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs."
 
Prior to Union: Appeared in 45 games for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL) and compiled 41 points (7-34-41) … also appeared in five games for the North Iowa Bulls (NAHL) in 2022-23 and registered three points (1-2-3) … earned a spot on the All-NAHL Second Team and the All-NAHL Midwest Division Team … spent the 2021-22 season with the Bulls and tallied 26 points (3-23-26) in 58 games.  
 
Why Union: "I chose Union because of its prestigious academics, along with its achievements in hockey including multiple Frozen Four appearances and the 2014 National Championship. Schenectady is beautiful and reminds me a lot of home in Pittsburgh."

Aksel Reid • 6-1 • 185 • Goalie • Catches: Left • Minneapolis, Minn. • Springfield Jr. Blues (NAHL)

Ronan on Reid: "Aksel is a big, athletic goaltender that moves effortlessly and joins Union from the Springfield Jr. Blues of the North American Hockey League. Aksel's poise in the paint and elite puck handling ability will reinforce our goaltending position."
 
Prior to Union: Appeared in 39 games for the Springfield Jr. Blues in the 2022-23 regular season posting a 2.82 GAA and a .911 save percentage … selected to play in the 2023 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament and stopped 34 of 36 shots in two games … split the 2021-22 season between the Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL) and the Springfield Jr. Blues.  
 
Why Union: "I chose Union because I knew it would be the perfect place for me to get an incredible education while also playing Division 1 hockey. I believe the small class sizes and liberal arts education is the best fit for me to be successful academically, and the opportunity to play hockey for this historic program made the decision easy."

Following a three-game road trip beginning with a non-conference tilt against Army West Point on October 8 to start the season, Union will be back at Messa Rink for the home opener against the University of Connecticut on October 20.