This Weekend
Union kicks off ECAC Hockey play this weekend with a home-and-home against Capital Region rival, RPI. The weekend series opens at Houston Field House on Friday at 7:00 p.m. before bringing the series home to Messa Rink on Saturday with a 7:00 p.m. start.
Supporting Matt DuBrey
The Union Hockey family is banding together to support our beloved broadcaster, Matt DuBrey, in his recent cancer diagnosis. DuBrey, Union's play-by-play broadcaster for over 20 years, was diagnosed earlier this month and has begun treatment. There is a
GoFundMe set up to assist DuBrey and his family during this time.
Last Weekend
In the first meeting between the programs in almost 20 years to the day, Union swept Mercyhurst to improve to 4-1 on the season. The Garnet Chargers won 6-2 on Friday and closed out the weekend with a 3-2 win on Saturday.
First-year
Ben Muthersbaugh recorded seven points (3-4-7) on the weekend, including his first collegiate goal and hat trick in Friday's win. The rookie scored his first two goals 11 seconds apart and capped off the hat trick in the third period. Muthersbaugh and his linemates, junior
Nate Hanley and senior
Caden Villegas, combined for 10 points (5-5-10) in the game.
In Saturday's win, first-year
Drew Sutton scored his first collegiate goal, and Union's first power-play goal of the season. Junior
Brandon Buhr and senior
Josh Nixon also scored in the victory.
Scouting RPI
Through four games this season, RPI is 2-1-1. They opened the season with a 2-1 OT win over #14 UMass in an exhibition game. The Engineers swept Canisius on the road 8-3 and 6-3 before going 0-1-1 at home against Niagara.
The Engineers rank first in the nation with 5.25 goals per game. RPI is currently fifth in powerplay with a 33.3% conversion rate. However, they are one of the most penalized teams with an average of 16.75 penalty minutes per game, which is third nationally.
Tyler Hotson leads the way with five points (3-2-5) through the first four games. Will Gilson will be a player to watch for the Engineers with a team-leading 18 shots in four games and four points (2-2-4).
In goal, RPI has split time between veteran Jack Watson (1-0-1, 2.90 GAA, .918) and Ferris State transfer Noah Giesbrecht (1-1-0, 3.98, .892).
Leading the Pack
First-year
Ben Muthersbaugh is currently tied for first in Division I scoring with nine points (3-6-9) through four games.
Weekly Awards
First-year
Ben Muthersbaugh put together a stellar weekend against Mercyhurst with seven points (3-4-7) including his first collegiate goal and hat trick. He was named the ECAC Hockey Forward of the Week, presented by Bluebird Hotels, and the ECAC Hockey #Bitcoin Rookie of the Week.
Throw Those Hats
First-year
Ben Muthersbaugh scored a hat trick on Friday night against Mercyhurst, making him the first Union rookie to score a hat trick since Daniel Carr '14 recorded one in a 6-2 win against Army West Point on Dec. 11, 2010. The hat trick was part of a five-point night, making him the first Union skater to score five in a game since Mike Vecchione '17 recorded five (4-1-5) on Oct. 22, 2016.
Strength in Center
Union has been exceptionally strong on the faceoff this season. The Garnet Chargers are currently ranked second in the country with a 62.1% win percentage through four games. First-year
Drew Sutton is second in ECAC Hockey with 57 faceoff wins, which ranks eighth nationally, with a 70.4% win rate. Junior
Parker Lindauer is second with a 60.7% win rate. Sophomore
Jacob Jeannette (59.7%) and junior
Nate Hanley (58.1%) round out Union's centers. Lindauer is currently 13th in the nation in faceoff wins with 54.
Shots, Shots, Shots!
Union has been peppering the opposition with shots this season. Through three games, Union is averaging 37.4 shots per game. The Garnet Chargers put up a season-high 45 shots on goal in at Stonehill. The team opened the season with a now season-low 34 shots against Army West Point and tied that number on Friday against Mercyhurst.
Defender of the Week
Junior
John Prokop was named the ECAC Hockey Defender of the Week on Tuesday, October 8th. Prokop netted the overtime goal against Army West Point.
All-Messa Rink Teams
Over the course of the season, Union fans will have a chance to vote for the best players to don the garnet and white over the years. Your votes (both online and in person at Messa Rink) will help to determine which players will be recognized on the Union Hockey All-Messa Rink Teams, which will be announced later in the season.
Welcome Back Alumni
The men's team will welcome back the inaugural 1975-76 team as well as the 1983-84 Division III national runners-up on Saturday, February 1 to be recognized during Union's game against Brown University. On Saturday, February 15, Union will be inviting back members of the first Division I team from 1991-92 as well as the 2011-12 Frozen Four team to be recognized during the game against Princeton University.
The Final Season
The 2024-25 season marks the final season at Messa Rink for both the Union College men's and women's hockey programs. Beginning in 2025-26, the teams will play down the road at Mohawk Harbor Arena. The Union men are 388-283-72 (.570) all-time at Messa Rink with a 217-201-67 (.515) record as a Division I program.
Captaining the Ship
Senior
Cullen Ferguson was named the captain of the 2024-25 team. Joining him as alternate captains are seniors
Caden Villegas and
Josh Nixon as well as juniors
Nick Young and
John Prokop.
All-American Era
John Prokop returns for his junior campaign after earning All-America Second Team East honors last season. Prokop led the team in scoring for the second-straight season with 35 points (8-27-35).
Picked Eighth
Despite finishing in sixth last season, Union was selected to finish eighth in the ECAC Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll. Union garnered 60 points in the votes, only six back from seventh-place St. Lawrence.
Double Trouble
Senior
Caden Villegas and junior
John Prokop were two players to watch last season as they both recorded 30 or more points. Villegas and Prokop became the first Union duo to put up a 30-spot since the 2017-18 season saw three skaters reach the 30-point mark.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered!
Head Coach
Josh Hauge signed a contract extension this offseason to stay on as head coach through 2028-29.
Welcome Home
Over the summer, the 2014 National Championship team returned to Schenectady for their 10 year reunion. The team met at Mohawk Harbor to sign a steel plate that will be installed at Union's new rink.
This is What Champs are Made of
June 24, 2024 was a night to remember as two alumni won championships in the same night. Mike Vecchione '17 and the Hershey Bears defeated the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the AHL Calder Cup Championship to win their second-straight title. Former student manager and video coordinator, Thomas Harding '19, lifted the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in a thrilling game seven. Harding is the Communication Manager for the Panthers.
Not So Young Anymore
Union is one of the older teams in the country in terms of age. On average, the team is 22.6 years old. Of Union's 28 players, 17 are either juniors or seniors. Union's junior class boasts 11 members.
Return Them
Union boasts one of the top returning teams in terms of scoring. The Garnet Chargers returned 219 points, which ranks 10th in the NCAA.
Preseason Pick
Junior
John Prokop was named the ECAC Hockey Preseason All-ECAC Hockey team, the first Union skater to be honored since Mike Vecchione '17 was recognized in the 2016-17 season.
Adding the Assist
Head coach
Josh Hauge added two members to his coaching staff this past summer.
Mike Zannella joins the team from the USHL's Lincoln Stars. Also joining the staff is
Sean Speck '24, a former member of the men's soccer team, and hockey equipment assistant.
