| Union vs #13 Providence (exhibition) |
| Saturday, October 5, 2024 • Schenectady, N.Y. • Messa Rink • 1:00 p.m. |
| Live Stats • Video Stream |
| Union vs Army West Point |
| Sunday, October 6, 2024 • Schenectady, N.Y. • Messa Rink • 4:00 p.m. |
| Live Stats • Video Stream |
This Weekend
Union opens the 2024-25 slate with an exhibition game against #13 Providence College and game one against Army West Point in the final season at Messa Rink.
About Union
Union is back for the final season at Messa Rink and the third season under head coach
Josh Hauge. The team finished the 2023-24 campaign with a 16-18-3 record. After finishing the regular season as the sixth-seed, Union swept Brown in the opening round of the ECAC Hockey playoffs before falling to Dartmouth in the ECAC Hockey Quarterfinals. Union returns 19 players from last season including All-American
John Prokop and starting goaltender
Kyle Chauvette. The program welcomes nine newcomers for the 2024-25 season including two transfers and seven first-years.
About Army West Point
The Black Knights finished the 2023-24 season with a 10-23-2 record overall and an 8-16-2 record in AHA play. After a 5-1 loss to AIC to end the regular season finale, the Black Knights dropped a 4-1 decision to Niagara in the opening round of the Atlantic Hockey Tournament. The 2024-25 campaign marks the final season for head coach Brian Riley, ending a 75-year run of a member of the Riley family leading Army West Point hockey.
Reunion on Tap
Before Union officially opens the season on Sunday, the team welcomes Providence College to campus in an exhibition game on Saturday afternoon. Former head coach Nate Leaman returns to Messa Rink for the first time since taking the head coaching position at Providence in 2011. Joining Coach Leaman is Associate Head Coach Joel Beal '05, a four-year letter winner for Union from 2001-05 and a former assistant coach from 2011-13.
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 387-283-72 (.570) all-time at Messa Rink with a 216-201-67 (.515) record as a Division I program.
Captaining the Ship
Senior
Cullen Ferguson was named the captain of the 2024-25 team earlier this week. 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 the 2028-29 season.
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 tow 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.
