Ex-Union star Zajac signs with AHL's Moose

by Ryan Fay

The American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose signed former Union forward Kelly Zajac to an AHL contract, it was announced Monday.

Zajac in action with Rauma Lukko

Zajac had been a free agent since his two-month tryout with Rauma Lukko of the Finnish Elite League ended in late October. He had two goals and two assists in 11 contests before moving on.

Zajac is no stranger to the AHL, having played for the Albany Devils from 2012-15. He had three goals and 10 assists in 24 games last season. Overall, he registered 17 goals and 44 assists in 108 career games with the team.

Manitoba plays its home games in Winnipeg, Zajac's hometown.

The 27-year-old could debut with the Moose as early as Friday, when they host Bakersfield.

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Blues recall Welsh from Wolves (updated)

by Ryan Fay

Former Union forward Jeremy Welsh will make his debut with the St. Louis Blues tonight when they host the Winnipeg Jets at 8 p.m. ET.

Welsh
(photo credit: Chicago Wolves)

Welsh, who was recalled from the American Hockey League's Chicago Wolves on Sunday, will serve as the left wing on the fourth line.

The action will be his first in the NHL since the 2013-14 season when he was with the Vancouver Canucks.

“This caught me by surprise, but obviously I’m excited,” Welsh told the Blues Overtime Blog. “I’ve done the drive-up / call-up and play thing before. I’m not really nervous, but the adrenaline will be going with crowd and being back in the NHL. It’s really exciting.”

Prior to the call-up, Welsh had five goals and three assists in 11 games with the Wolves. The five goals are tied for second most on the team.

“He’s been a great player for [the Wolves],” Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock said. “He’s been hard on the puck, he’s been determined, he’s been a weighty player, he's scored because of it, he goes into the hard areas offensively and defensively. He’s a guy that got rewarded for really good play down there. He’s been excellent every game.”

Welsh originally signed with the Blues organization in July 2014. He spent all of last season with the Wolves, collecting 20 goals and 21 assists in 75 games. He was re-signed over the summer.

The 27-year-old has a goal and an assist in 25 career NHL games between stints with Vancouver and Carolina.

Welsh is the second former Union player to get promoted to the NHL in the last few days. On Saturday, the Philadelphia Flyers recalled defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere from the AHL's Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Gostisbehere played for the Flyers that night, and had an assist in a 3-2 overtime win at Carolina.

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Union tops #17 Clarkson, 4-1

Box Score

by Ryan Fay

Union handed 17th-ranked Clarkson its first home ice loss of the season with a 4-1 victory Saturday at Cheel Arena.

Union celebrates after Jeff Taylor's first period goal
Saturday at Clarkson.

With the win, the Dutchmen picked up their first ECAC Hockey victory of the season and snapped a five game winless streak.

The loss was Clarkson's (0-1-1 ECACH, 5-2-1 overall) sixth straight against Union dating back to 2013.

The Dutchmen (1-3-0, 3-4-3) picked up all the offense they needed in the opening period. Eli Lichtenwald put Union ahead 1-0 at 14:14 when he scored from the slot after getting a pass from Brett Supinski. Just over three minutes later, Jeff Taylor's blast from just inside the blueline doubled Union's advantage.

Spencer Foo padded the lead with two goals, including a highlight reel tally at 16:56 of the second that made it 3-0. He took a pass from Sebastien Gingras in Union's end, and then skated along the left boards before streaking across the slot and sending a low shot past Clarkson goalie Steve Perry.

Foo tacked on an empty-netter at 17:44 of the third.

Union goalie Alex Sakellaropoulos looked set to pick up his first shutout of the season, but Clarkson's Perry D'Arrisso broke it up at 18:28.

Sakellaropoulos finished with 27 saves in a strong effort. He was nearly perfect over the weekend, having also stopped 13-of-13 shots in relief work in Friday's 6-3 loss at 15th-ranked St. Lawrence.

Ryan Scarfo chipped in two assists for the Dutchmen, who return to Messa Rink next weekend to face Brown on Friday and Yale on Saturday.

Highlights (via Clarkson athletics)

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Dutchwomen picked 11th in coaches poll

by Ryan Fay

Union was picked 11th in the ECAC Hockey women's preseason coaches poll, the league announced Tuesday.

The Dutchwomen finished with 19 points in the poll, just five more than Brown, which was picked to finish in last place. Harvard was tabbed to finish first.

Union finished last season in 11th place after going 1-16-5 in league play. Overall, the Dutchwomen went 4-22-8.

Union was shutout on the preseason all-conference team, which was dominated by Harvard and Clarkson. The Crimson placed four players on the team, goalie Emerance Maschmeyer, defenseman Michelle Picard and forwards Miye D’Oench and Mary Parker. Defenseman Erin Ambrose and forward Cayley Mercer made it for the Golden Knights.

Preseason Coaches' Poll:
1. Harvard (8) 118
2. Clarkson (3) 113
3. Quinnipiac 94
4. Cornell (1) 87
5. St. Lawrence 81
6. Princeton 76
7. Dartmouth 62
8. Yale 55
9. Colgate 40
10. Rensselaer 33
11. Union 19
12. Brown 14

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Ex-Union star Zajac signs in Finland

by Ryan Fay

Former Union star Kelly Zajac is headed to Finland.

Zajac

The 27-year-old forward signed with Lukko of the Finnish Elite League on Sunday. The agreement is for one-year, including a two-month try-out period. The Finnish Elite League is considered the top hockey league in Finland.

Zajac spent the past three seasons and change mostly with the American Hockey League's Albany Devils, the team he signed with after finishing his Union career in 2012. He registered 17 goals and 44 assists in 108 career contests with the Devils, including three goals and 10 assists in 24 games last year.

Along the way, he also posted six goals and 10 assists in 15 games with the now-defunct Trenton Titans of the ECHL in 2012-13.

Zajac ranks third in Union's Division I history with 128 career points on 37 goals and 91 assists. He served as an assistant captain during his senior season.

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Unger steps down as radio analyst

by Ryan Fay

Union men's hockey radio analyst Brian Unger announced Monday that he is calling it quits after 11 seasons behind the microphone.

Union play-by-play man Matt DuBrey (l) 
and analyst Brian Unger (r).

Unger cited the challenge of juggling his day job at PricewaterhouseCoopers and his broadcasting responsibilities.

"I want to thank everyone involved with the Union athletic and sports information departments for allowing me to represent such a great hockey program and school," said Unger, a 1993 Union graduate who also called games as a student. "Broadcasting hockey is one of my very favorite things to do and I will miss it terribly. I hope to get to the rink as often as possible this year but I am also truly looking forward to spending more of my weekends with my son."

Matt DuBrey, who is entering his 14th season as the Dutchmen's play-by-play man, said Unger will be missed in the booth.

"I am not sure if there is anyone not wearing skates more passionate about Union hockey than Brian Unger," said DuBrey. "Brian has great knowledge of Union and the sport of hockey, and he will be greatly missed. I will miss having him by my side on the air, but understand that life involves tough choices, and wish him all the best."

A team spokesperson said Union plans to hire a replacement for Unger, but had no immediate announcement on who that will be. Adam Ullman, who has been used on a fill-in basis in recent years, said he hopes to continue working the occasional broadcast but added that his future role, if any, "is still to be determined."

"I am excited to see what changes will come to the airwaves this coming season," DuBrey added. "I know with the quality coverage [we] have provided for so long, that the standard has been set for what Union will bring to the airwaves going forward."

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Garnet-White scrimmage set for Oct. 3

by Ryan Fay

The Union men's hockey team will hold its semi-annual Garnet-White intrasquad scrimmage on Sat. Oct. 3 at Messa Rink, the team announced Monday.

There will be no admission charge for the scrimmage, which is slated for a 5:30 p.m. start. It will offer fans their first look at the 2015-16 Dutchmen.

The Garnet-White scrimmage was last held in 2013. The Dutchmen hosted an exhibition game against the University of Prince Edward Island last year.

Union, which is looking to rebound from a disappointing 19-18-2 campaign, opens the regular season on Oct. 9 at home against Sacred Heart.

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Ex-Union standout Hatch joins ECHL's Solar Bears

by Ryan Fay

Former Union standout Matt Hatch is taking his game to the Sunshine State.

Hatch

Hatch's agent, Kerry Huffman, tweeted on Monday that the forward has signed with the ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears.

"I want to thank everyone involved in the process including the Orlando coaching staff, my agent, and especially my family and friends," Hatch said in a direct message on Twitter. "I am excited to begin this great opportunity and ready to get to work."

Hatch spent most of last season with the ECHL's Reading Royals, where he had nine goals and six assists in 39 games. He also appeared in a pair of contests with the American Hockey League's Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

The 25-year-old skated for Union from 2010-14 and had 34 goals and 39 assists in 148 career games. He was a member of Union's national championship team as a senior.

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Ex-Union forward Coatta signs with RiverKings

by Ryan Fay

Former Union forward Sam Coatta signed with the Southern Professional Hockey League's Mississippi RiverKings, it was announced Thursday.

Coatta

Coatta recorded 14 goals and 17 assists in 141 career games with the Dutchmen. The 25-year-old served as an alternate captain last season and was a member of Union's 2014 national championship team.

"Sam is a very solid two-way player," RiverKings coach and director of hockey operations Derek Landmesser said in a release. "He has a high hockey IQ, and also comes from a very good program."

The Minnesota native is the fourth member of Union's 2015 senior class to sign a pro contract this offseason. The other three are forward Daniel Ciampini (Rockford/AHL), goaltender Colin Stevens (Florida/NHL) and forward Max Novak (Albany/AHL).

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13 Dutchwomen make ECAC Hockey All-Academic team

by Ryan Fay

Union placed 13 players on the ECAC Hockey women's All-Academic team, the league announced Monday.

The players on the squad are Rebecca Babiak, Emily Erickson, Jessica Kaminsky, Katie Laughlin, Shenae Lundberg, Kelly McGrath, Caitlyn McLaren, Elizabeth Otten, Alexx Ridding, Nicole Russell, Alex Tancrell-Fontaine, Christine Valente and Eastyn Yuen.

The Dutchwomen had 12 players on the All-Academic team last year.

Players make the All-Academic team if they post a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale or have a GPA over 3.00 over the past three semesters.

It was also announced that Babiak made the Commissioner's List as the Dutchwomen's top scholar.

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Ex-Union forward Hutchins hangs up skates

by Ryan Fay

Former Union forward Jeff Hutchins took to Twitter on Sunday to announce that he's hanging up the skates after 13 seasons in professional hockey.

Hutchins

Hutchins started his pro career with stops in the American Hockey League and the ECHL, but he spent the last 10 years in the Elite Ice Hockey League, the top circuit in the United Kingdom. He was with the Dundee Stars the last four seasons, the past three as a player/coach. He guided the team to the Gardiner Conference title in 2013-14. The two sides mutually parted ways in May.

"After 13 years playing professional hockey, I am hanging up the skates," Hutchins tweeted. "I owe everything to hockey. I am going to miss playing pro hockey. I have met many great people in the game and enjoyed my time. To the @officialEIHL, thanks for having me for ten years. The league has come a long way."

Hutchins, 37, plans on staying involved with the game overseas. He was recently named the head coach of the China Dragons, one of nine teams in the Asia League Ice Hockey.

"One door closes and another opens," he tweeted. "Happy to be heading to China to help the China Dragons develop their organization. Also looking forward to [helping] the Chinese National Team climb the world rankings."

Hutchins skated for Union from 1998-2002. He posted 23 goals and 40 assists in 109 career games and served as an alternate captain as a senior. He was believed to be the last Union player from the 1990's to still be playing pro hockey.

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Harrison commits to Union for 2016-17

by Ryan Fay

Sean Harrison, a forward for the British Columbia Hockey League's Cowichan Capitals, announced his commitment to Union early Friday.

Harrison in action with the Capitals last season.
photo credit: Garrett James

"Excited to announce my commitment to play college hockey at Union College," tweeted Harrison, who will arrive for the 2016-17 season. "Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to where I am today."

Harrison, 19, was named Cowichan's Rookie of the Year last season after dressing in all 58 games and leading the team in scoring with 22 goals and 24 assists. He also topped the club in power play goals with eight. The 6-foot, 175-pounder had only six penalty minutes all season, which made him a finalist for the BCHL's Most Sportsmanlike Player Award.

"Sean is a heads up, hard-working, coachable, 200-foot player that will enjoy a great college career," said Capitals head coach and general manager Bob Beatty. "His hockey IQ and skill set make him a big offensive contributor."

Before joining the Capitals, Harrison skated with Shattuck St. Mary's Midget AAA squad in Minnesota. In 2013-14, he paced the team in scoring with 51 goals and 60 assists in 58 contests.

The native of East River, Alaska is the second member of the Capitals to commit to Union. Forward Ryan Burton committed in May and will join Harrison in the fall of 2016.

Harrison's 2014-15 highlight reel


Sean Harrison from Jeff Sargeant on Vimeo.

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18 Dutchmen make ECAC Hockey All-Academic team

by Ryan Fay

Union placed 18 players on the ECAC Hockey men's All-Academic team, the league announced Monday.

The 18 players on the team are JC Brassard, Sam Coatta, Nick Cruice, Theo Di Pauli, Spencer Foo, Sebastien Gingras, Noah Henry, Tyler Hynes, Matt Krug, Eli Lichtenwald, Connor Light, Max Novak, Dillon Pieri, Michael Pontarelli, David Roy, Ryan Scarfo, Charlie Vasaturo and Mike Vecchione.

Union had 17 players on the All-Academic team last year.

Players make the All-Academic team if they post a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale or have a GPA over 3.00 over the past three semesters.

It was also announced that DiPauli made the Commissioner's List as the Dutchmen's top scholar.

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Former Union standout Jooris re-ups with Flames

by Ryan Fay

Jooris in action last season

Former Union forward Josh Jooris avoided salary arbitration with the Calgary Flames by re-signing with the team on Friday.

Jooris, who was a restricted free agent, signed a one-year, one-way deal worth $975,000. His previous deal carried an average annual value of $925,000. The two sides were scheduled to go to an arbitration hearing on July 28 if a new deal wasn't reached.

"[I'm] just thrilled and grateful to be back in Calgary," said Jooris, who posted 29 goals and 59 assists in 117 contests with Union from 2010-13. "It's a great Canadian hockey city and I am real excited to build off last season. I'm happy that a hearing wasn't needed and I am grateful for another opportunity."

Jooris began last season with the AHL's Adirondack Flames, but was called up to Calgary on Oct. 16. He scored a goal in his NHL debut against Columbus the following night. On Dec. 2, Jooris became the first former Union player to record a hat trick in the NHL when he accomplished the feat in a win over Arizona. He finished with 12 goals and 12 assists in 60 games with Calgary.

Jooris originally joined Calgary's organization in July 2013 when he signed a two-year free-agent deal not long before what would have been his senior year at Union. He spent the 2013-14 campaign with the AHL's Abbotsford Heat and posted 11 goals and 16 assists in 73 contests.

In addition to the new contract, Jooris will also have a new jersey number this season. The Flames recently announced that Jooris switched from No. 86 to No. 16.

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Ex-Union star Valery-Trabucco signs in Italy

by Ryan Fay

Former Union standout Mario Valery-Trabucco is taking his game to Italy next season.

Valery-Trabucco

The forward confirmed to Union Hockey Blog on Monday that he signed with SG Cortina for the 2015-16 season. The club plays in the Serie A, the top level of professional hockey in Italy.

"I'm excited to head to Cortina," Valery-Trabucco said in a direct message on Twitter. "It seemed like a great place to play. I just got my Italian passport, so an Italian team seemed like a no-brainer. I hear the city is awesome [with] beautiful scenery. [The team] has a good rink and is surrounded by a good coaching staff."

The 28-year-old spent last year with the DEL2's Starbulls Rosenheim, a second-level pro team in Germany. He led the club in scoring with 27 goals and 26 assists in 50 games.

In addition to Germany, the sixth-year pro has also had stops in Sweden, Finland and the American Hockey League.

Valery-Trabucco is the second former Union player to come to terms with a Serie A team this offseason. The other is forward Jason Walters, one of his teammates on the Dutchmen. He re-signed with Sterzing/Vipiteno in May.

Known as "Super Mario," Valery-Trabucco starred for Union from 2006-10. He ranks eighth in the program's Division I era in career points with 114 (59 goals and 55 assists).

Valery-Trabucco's 2014-15 highlights (via YouTube user Kela Cook)



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Ex-Union blueliner Boyle turns pro

by Ryan Fay

Former Union defenseman Tim Boyle turned pro Wednesday, signing with the ECHL's Wichita Thunder for the 2015-16 season.

Boyle

“I want to start off by staying I am extremely excited and blessed to be given a shot by [Thunder head] coach [Kevin] McClelland and look forward to starting my pro career in Wichita,” said Boyle. “I couldn't be more excited to be with the Thunder and look forward to a great year with a great organization.”

Boyle spent last season with Endicott College, which competed at the club level. He had three goals and eight assists in 18 contests with the Gulls. Before that, Boyle spent a year with the U.S Premier Hockey League's South Shore Kings. His lone season with Union was 2012-13, when he chipped in two assists in 15 games.

The 22-year-old was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the fourth round (106th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft. He is the younger brother of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brian Boyle.

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Devils invite Novak to development camp

by Ryan Fay

Novak

Former Union forward Max Novak will participate in the New Jersey Devils' prospect development camp, set to take place July 13-18 in Newark. N.J.

Novak had 10 goals and 18 assists in 35 games during his senior season with Union last year. He finished his four-year career with the Dutchmen with 43 goals and 53 assists in 141 games.

The Oak Ridge, N.J native signed an amateur tryout contract with the American Hockey League's Albany Devils after Union's season ended in March with a loss to Quinnipiac in the ECAC Hockey quarterfinals. He was held without a point in four contests with Albany, New Jersey's top minor league affiliate.

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Ciampini in Blackhawks development camp

by Ryan Fay

Ciampini

Former Union winger Daniel Ciampini will be among the 57 players in Chicago Blackhawks prospect development camp, the NHL team announced Thursday.

The camp runs July 12-17 at Johnny’s IceHouse West in Chicago.

Ciampini signed a one-year American Hockey League contract with the Rockford IceHogs, Chicago's top minor league affiliate, on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old is in an NHL team's prospect development camp for a second straight summer. He spent time in Vancouver Canucks camp last year as a free-agent invitee.

Ciampini wrapped up a stellar four-year career with Union earlier this year. He tallied 63 goals and 55 assists in 131 career games with the Dutchmen from 2011-15. His 63 goals rank second in the program's Division I era, and his 118 points are fifth-most.

Ciampini signed an amateur tryout contract with the AHL's Worcester Sharks after Union's season ended in March with a loss to Quinnipiac in the ECACH quarterfinals. He recorded three goals and three assists in 15 games with the Sharks.

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Ciampini signs with AHL's IceHogs

by Ryan Fay

Ciampini

Former Union winger Daniel Ciampini signed a one-year American Hockey League contract with the Rockford IceHogs on Wednesday.

Ciampini tied Mike Vecchione for the Union lead in scoring last season with 26 goals and 24 assists in 39 games. Ciampini's play earned All-ECAC Hockey First Team and AHCA/CCM All-America East First Team selections. He was also one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top player in college hockey.

Overall, he tallied 63 goals and 55 assists in 131 career games with the Dutchmen from 2011-15. His 63 goals rank second in the program's Division I era, and his 118 points are fifth-most.

Ciampini signed an amateur tryout contract with the AHL's Worcester Sharks after Union's season ended in March with a loss to Quinnipiac in the ECACH quarterfinals. He recorded three goals and three assists in 15 games with the Sharks.

The IceHogs are the AHL affiliate of Chicago Blackhawks, the reigning Stanley Cup champions.

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Taylor off to Penguins development camp

by Ryan Fay

Taylor

Union junior defenseman Jeff Taylor will be among the 37 players in Pittsburgh Penguins prospect development camp, set to take place July 14-18 at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh.

The Clifton Park native was Union's top scoring defenseman last season with four goals and 27 assists in 34 games. His 31 points also led all ECAC Hockey blueliners.

Players in the camp will participate in on-ice sessions, off-ice workouts, team building exercises and seminars aimed to help them prepare for being a professional hockey player.

Taylor was drafted by the Penguins in the seventh round of the 2014 NHL Draft. He also spent time in the club's development camp last summer.

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