SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Union College men's hockey coach Josh Hauge announced the nine newcomers for the 2024-25 season on Friday. The class is comprised of two transfer students and seven first-years. Representing six states and two Canadian provinces, there are six forwards, two defensemen, and one goaltender joining the program.

"This is a group that will add to the strong team we are excited about returning," said head coach Josh Hauge. "All nine of these players will make an impact on the ice and are great people away from the rink. We expect them to come in and help raise the standard of the program."

Riley Brueck • 6-2 • 190 • Forward • Shoots: Left • Chesterfield, Mo. • Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)

Prior to Union: Split the 2023-24 season between the Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) and the Oklahoma Warriors (NAHL) … logged nine points (2-7-9) in 33 games for the Musketeers and appeared in eight playoff games … skated in 13 games for the Warriors and recorded 13 points (5-6-11) … spent the 2022-23 season with the Musketeers and recorded three points (0-3-3) in 24 games.

Hauge on Brueck: "Riley is a hard nose player that plays the game the right way. He is a valuable piece and will be looked to contribute on day one."
Why Union: "I was impressed with the environment and people I met while visiting campus. I also chose Union because of the academic value, athletics, and history of the school."
 
Lucas Buzziol • 6-0 • 205 • Forward • Shoots: Right • Mississauga, Ontario • Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL)

Prior to Union: Appeared in 47 games as the assistant captain for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL) … registered 27 points (8-19-27) … scored nine points (4-5-9) in 18 playoff games … spent the 2022-23 season with the Milton Menace (OJHL) and logged 54 points (23-31-54) in 45 games … tallied eight points (2-6-9) in nine playoff games.

Hauge on Buzziol: "Buzziol plays a hard 200-foot game. He is a center that can play in all situations for us. He is very good on the face off dot and takes pride in playing in all areas."

Why Union: "I chose Union because upon visit I was blown away by the campus and the hockey program. Coaches and staff were all great welcoming me to the team. All these factors influenced my decision to attend Union College."

David Côté • 6-4 • 200 • Defense • Shoots: Left • St-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec • Steinbach Pistons (MJHL)

Prior to Union: Spent the last three seasons playing for the Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) … played in 52 games with 40 points (7-33-40) in the 2023-24 season … skated in 15 playoff games with eight points (0-8-8) … logged four points (0-4-4) in 31 games and three points (0-3-3) in 15 playoff games in 2022-23.

Hauge on Côté: "He joins us from Steinbach in the Manitoba league and has a history of winning. He's a long, athletic defenseman that can contribute offensively as well as defend."

Why Union: "I chose Union because of the special education that we get there while having the chance to play at an awesome hockey program."

Parker Lindauer • 5-11 • 180 • Forward • Shoots: Left • Madison, Wisc. • University of Maine (HEA)

Prior to Union: Skated two seasons for Maine (HEA) … appeared in 16 games as sophomore … scored first college point, a goal, against Northeastern (Feb. 23) … scored first collegiate assist at Vermont (Mar. 2) … played in 15 games as a first-year … made collegiate debut against Quinnipiac (Oct. 22) ... played for the Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) and Tri-City Storm in the 2021-22 season.

Hauge on Lindauer: "Parker is a transfer from Maine and played in the NCAA Tournament last year. He competes extremely hard and will help us as we continue to take steps in the ECAC Hockey."   
Why Union:  "I had the opportunity to play against Union last year and saw the culture that the team brought in that game. I see so much potential in this team and it's only going to continue to get better each year with this coaching staff. I'm also excited about the brand-new facilities that have already broken ground. Outside of hockey, Union offers unbelievable academics that I will be able to fall back on whenever my hockey career comes to an end."
 
Lucas Massie • 6-1 • 185 • Goaltender • Shoots: Left • Claremont, Calif. • Lincoln Stars (USHL)

Prior to Union: Spent the last two seasons with the Lincoln Stars (USHL) … appeared in 27 games in net and posted a 7-12-2 record with a .879 save percentage and a 3.76 GAA … played in 23 games in the 2022-23 season with a 12-6-1 record, .898 save percentage and a 2.89 GAA … skated in one playoff game.

Hauge on Massie: "Lucas is an athletic goalie that has played the last two seasons for the Lincoln Stars. We expect him to come in and compete for ice time and make our team better."  

Why Union: "To attend and play for Union felt like an incredible opportunity for me to grow as a hockey player and as a person. The coaching staff and their commitment to growth and professionalism, the facilities and resources available to students, the rich history of the school, and the prestigious academic programs were all huge draws for me and made the decision easy."
 
Brendan Miles • 5-10 • 180 • Defense • Shoots: Right • Farmington Hills, Mich. • University of Michigan (Big Ten)

Prior to Union: Skated in 11 games over two seasons for the University of Michigan … made collegiate debut on Jan. 27, 2023 against Penn State … part of Big Ten Championship team in 2023 ... played two seasons for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL).

Hauge on Miles: "Brendan is a transfer from Michigan. He is a smooth skating defender that can join the rush and add to our offense. He adds another veteran to our D-core."

Why Union: "I chose to transfer to Union for the unbelievable coaching staff, hockey facilities, and team overall. The education is also second to none."

Ben Muthersbaugh • 6-0 • 190 • Forward • Shoots: Left • Gilford, N.H. • Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)

Prior to Union: Played in 30 games for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) and logged 16 points (9-7-16) … spent the 2022-23 season with the New Jersey Jr. Titans (NAHL) and skated in 58 games with 40 points (21-19-40) scored … skated in three playoff games and scored three points (3-0-0).

Hauge on Muthersbaugh: "Ben had an injury that kept him out of the first half of last season but exploded in the second half of the season. He has a heavy shot that will be problems for goalies in college hockey. He has the ability to score as a first-year player."

Why Union: "I chose Union for the tight knit community on a rather smaller campus along with being part of the historic hockey program."

Connor Smith • 5-10 • 185 • Forward • Shoots: Right • Hugo, Minn. • Oklahoma Warriors (NAHL)

Prior to Union: Split the 2023-24 season with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) and the Oklahoma Warriors (NAHL) … skated in 32 games for the RoughRiders and registered 13 points (5-8-13) … played in 15 regular season games for the Warriors and logged 11 points (4-7-11) … appeared in three playoff games and recorded one points (0-1-1) for the Warriors … spent the 2022-23 season with the RoughRiders and appeared in 10 games and recorded six points (2-4-6).

Hauge on Smith: "Connor will add speed to our lineup. He plays the game with a tremendous amount of pace and we look for him to make an offensive impact."

Why Union: "I chose Union because of the opportunity for a top-tier education along with a great culture in the hockey program. I feel like Union is a great fit for me where I can grow as a person/athlete and I will be pushed to be better every single day."

Drew Sutton • 5-9 • 170 • Forward • Shoots: Left • Hortonville, Wisc. • Oklahoma Warriors (NAHL)

Prior to Union: Spent the last two seasons with the Oklahoma Warriors … appeared in 56 games in 2023-24 and recorded 55 points (22-33-55) as the assistant captain … skated in three playoff games and scored one goal … played in 60 regular season games in the 2022-23 season and registered 64 points (24-40-64) … played in nine playoff games and recorded 11 points (5-6-11) to help the Warriors win the Robertson Cup.

Hauge on Sutton: "Drew is an extremely smart centerman who plays a cerebral game. He has been a dominant player in junior hockey and we are excited to add him to our lineup."

Why Union: "Union provides a unique combination of athletic and academic opportunities that are difficult to find anywhere else. Hockey and school are two things that I take very seriously, and I am passionate about them. This made Union a great destination for me."

Union fans can get their first look at the 2024-25 team on October 5 in an exhibition game against Providence College at Messa Rink.