Bennett receives contract extension

by Ryan Fay

Rick Bennett received a one-year contract extension on Tuesday that extends through the 2019-2020 season.

“I would like to thank President (Stephen C.) Ainlay, (Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty) Therese McCarty, and for the effort and support of (Union College Director of Athletics) Jim McLaughlin in my time as head coach,” Bennett said in a release. “I would like to express my gratitude toward assistant coaches Joe Dumais, and Jason Tapp, Joel Beal for their loyalty and commitment in their two years. Also, I want to acknowledge the Garnet Blades and last but not least the student-athletes who have given their all for this program.”

Bennett came to Union prior to the 2005-2006 season and served as an assistant/associate head coach for several seasons under former head coach Nate Leaman. He took over the head position on April 22, 2011, when Leaman left for the head coaching position at Providence.

Bennett was initially signed to a four-year contact, but was extended through 2018-2019 last offseason after leading the Dutchmen to a 26-8-7 record, a regular season ECAC championship, their first ECAC tournament championship, and their first Division I-era Frozen Four appearance.

That was going to be hard to top, but Bennett's second year at the helm was nearly as good. Union went 22-13-5 while winning it's second consecutive ECAC tournament championship, and coming one win shy of a return trip to the Frozen Four.

“The job that Bennett has done for the Union College men’s ice hockey program has truly been remarkable,” Union athletic director Jim McLaughlin said in a statement. “... his recruiting and coaching efforts helped build us into an ECAC Hockey playoff contender, and laid a foundation for greater heights."