Union College: 2023-2024

[Dutchman]

This thread is the Union College "Dutchmen" hockey thread for 2023-2024. We will have a new Coach in his second year. There is optimism that the team will improve over last year.

[Dutchman]

Here is the incoming class for 2023-2024
https://unionathletics.com/news/2023...24-season.aspx
https://dailygazette.com/2023/08/02/union-college-mens-hockey-hauge-announces-2023-24-recruiting-class/

Of the eight, three were from Canada, and two were from Minnesota. Two transfers.

[Dutchman]

Schedule
https://unionathletics.com/sports/me...ockey/schedule

Five Hockey East
Two AHA

[Dutchman]

Over the past ten seasons, including the mayor's cup, Union is 11-11-2 against RPI.

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Over the past ten seasons, including the mayor's cup, Union is 11-11-2 against RPI.

Yup. With the most notable being the ECAC Coach of the Year behaving badly... ha ha

[kdt34wqx]

Why in the world did the college change from "Union Dutchmen/Dutchwomen"?? If the bigger hockey donors dislike the the change as much as I do, it could impact the program. Ugh!

[Dutchman]

https://ecachockey.com/news/2023/9/2...preseason.aspx


Coaches Poll
1. QU - 120 (10)
2. Cornell - 108
3. Harvard - 98 (1)
4. Clarkson - 92 (1)
5. St. Lawrence - 79
6. Colgate - 68
7. RPI - 53
8. Union - 45
9. Princeton - 44
10. Yale - 35
11. Dartmouth - 30
12. Brown - 20

All-League
F - Collin Graf, QU (Unanimous)
F - Sam Lipkin, QU
F - Ayrton Martino, CGK
D - Noah Beck, CGK
D - Luc Salem, SLU
G - Ian Shane, Cornell

[Dutchman]

USCHO Predictions

https://www.uscho.com/2023/10/11/202...nference-play/

2023-24 PREDICTION: Union is a lot like a rebranded label this year, where the newly-named Garnet Chargers are looking for a new look with that same great taste. This is a team that lost virtually nobody from its stat sheet or line chart – Nic Petruolo was the only transfer out of Schenectady that had considerable playing time in the program besides Chris Theodore, who transferred into Union from Atlantic Hockey’s AIC before leaving after his senior season this past year – and a team with its young leadership should at least ruffle some feathers during this year’s hockey season.

I think that this will be Clarkson's year. RPI has a brutal schedule. When the tournament rolls around, they will be very tough. Our non-conference is very weak. Has the league become very predictable?

The Dutchmen won two on the road last year. Only two wins. Colorado College is always a thought out.

Recently, I traveled to Bogota, Columbia (10,000) and Quito, Ecuador (12,000), and despite being a hiker, the elevation took its toll (Acute Mountain Sickness). It took me 48 hours to acclimate. Colorado College is only at 6,000 ft, which should not impact the team.

[Dutchman]

We took it on the chin. In the second period of the first game, we were hit with six second-period penalties, including a 10-minute game misconduct and a 5-minute hit to the head. CC collected five goals during that period. In the second game, they had a better shoot selection. Outside of the second period in the first game, we did not play as badly as the scores looked. If Princeton and/or Yale, Dartmouth or Brown have a good year, we could end up in the bottom 4.

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Galesi Group filing subdivision plans for an arena at Mohawk Harbor -- slated for 10/18 Planning Commission agenda. No indication yet that UC is committed as anchor tenant.

https://www.bizjournals.com/albany/n...-approval.html

[Dutchman]

What is wrong with UCONN this year? They have scored two goals in the last three games. I would like to think we are that good but I don't think so.

[Dutchman]

Now that is more like it. Someone set a fire under the UCONN team. We were outshot 69-22. A pair of 10-minute unsportsmanlike penalties did not help us. I think we can be competitive with the rest of our nonconference, Stonehiil(2), Maine, Vermont (2) and Bently. We have scored 15, had 19 scored against us. They're going to have to do better on defense. The non-ivy part of the ECAC usually gets off to a very good start vis non-conference. Not so much thus far this year.
NCHC - .742
Big10 - .712
HE - .671
DI Ind - .386
ECAC - .375
AHA - .324
CCHA - .284
I wonder if, over time, the hockey transfer portal makes the stronger, better teams/leagues better and makes the weaker teams/leagues weaker. Will the portal end? We will see if this divide continues.

[kdt34wqx]

Union right now is "non-competitive". Whether that can change is perhaps in question. Otherwise this is a "bottom four" club.

[Dutchman]

Union right now is "non-competitive." Whether that can change is perhaps in question. Otherwise, this is a "bottom four" club.

If Brown, Princeton or Yale have a good year, I agree. Last year, they just avoided the bottom 4 in the final week.

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Apologies this isn't hockey related, but this a great article about a Union grad softball player who has been honored as an NCAA Top 30 Women's Athlete of the Year Award. A true STUDENT athlete she is everything a school and a program could want in a player. Congrats and stick tap to her !

https://www.dailygazette.com/sports/...958e36516.html