Dutchmen Ex-Files - 12/29/13

by Ryan Fay

The latest round-up in former Dutchmen news for the week ending December 29:

Ex-Union Player of the Week
G Keith Kinkaid (Albany, AHL)

Kinkaid won his 50th game at the AHL level and recorded his league-high fourth shutout of the season with 19 saves in a 2-0 blanking of Adirondack on Friday. The shutout, the ninth of his career, also tied an Albany franchise record for shutouts in a season - and it's only December.

Things have been pointing in the right
direction for Kinkaid this season

Kinkaid extended his shutout streak to 95 minutes and 46 seconds before allowing a second period goal in Saturday's 4-1 win over Portland. He finished the night with a season-high 38 stops.

The sterling performances helped Kinkaid gain the league lead in goals against average at 1.92. He's also in the top five in wins (13, 5th) and save percentage (.927, 5th).

“He’s a good goalie and the team plays well in front of him,” Adirondack head coach Terry Murray told the Troy Record following Friday's contest.

With another organization, those kind of numbers might put him in line for a look with the parent club, but the need just isn't there with New Jersey, which has a formidable duo in net with Cory Schneider and future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur.

Albany will be glad to have Kinkaid in the meantime.

In other former Dutchmen news:

D Greg Coburn (Las Vegas, ECHL)
Coburn registered an assist in Las Vegas' 5-2 defeat to Idaho on Friday. Coburn, who took a career-high six shots on goal, has three goals and three assists in 24 contests.

G Troy Grosenick (Worcester, AHL)
Grosenick didn't have his strongest week, though apparently he didn't receive a lot of help. He tied his career-high with four goals allowed in a 4-0 loss to Portland on Thursday. On Friday, he surrendered a goal on three shots in relief duty during a 5-2 win against St. John's. He sits at 6-4-0 on the year with a 2.27 GAA (8th in the league) and a .916 save mark.

F Josh Jooris (Abbotsford, AHL)
Jooris had one of his better games as a pro in Friday's 5-1 victory over Oklahoma City. He notched a goal and an assist and finished the night with a career-high plus-3 rating.

Jooris has come on of late, picking up seven points (2 g, 5 a) in his last 12 games after being held off the scoresheet in the 12 games before that. He has a 3-9--12 line in 31 games this season.

F Wayne Simpson (South Carolina, ECHL)
Simpson assisted on what proved to be the game-winning goal in South Carolina's 3-2 win over Greenville on Friday. He's up to 15 points (8 g, 7 a) in 23 games this season. The 24-year-old still hasn't taken a single penalty this season.

D Shawn Stuart (Drakkars de Caen, French Elite League)
Stuart chipped in an assist in Drakkars' 5-3 loss to Angers on Sunday. He's the club's top scoring blueliner with six points (g, 5 a) in 16 games.
Recent feature: Catching Up With... Shawn Stuart

D Nolan Julseth-White (Las Vegas, ECHL)
Julseth-White scored his second goal of the season in Thursday's 4-3 setback to Bakersfield. The 25-year-old also has three assists in 27 games.

F Kelly Zajac (Albany, AHL)
Zajac collected an assist in Albany's win over Portland on Saturday, raising his season totals to 2-13--15 in 24 games.

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Coburn lands in Las Vegas

by Ryan Fay

Former Union defenseman Greg Coburn signed with the ECHL's Las Vegas Wranglers, multiple sources indicated late Monday.

Coburn (Union)

The signing gives Las Vegas three ex-Union defensemen. Two of Coburn's former Dutchmen teammates, Ryan Forgaard and Nolan Julseth-White, also play there.

Coburn, 25, most recently spent time with the American Hockey League's Portland Pirates, but he was released from his tryout on October 4.

The native of Shaunavon, Saskatchewan collected 73 points (20 goals, 53 assists) in 153 career games played with Union.

Unlike most ECHL teams, the Wranglers are unaffiliated.

RELATED: Simpson signs with the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays

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Hockey taking Coburn around the globe

by Ryan Fay

Former Union defenseman Greg Coburn was supposed to be in Europe right now.

The 24-year-old was expected to play in Finland this season with Tampereen Ilves of the Finnish Elite League after signing a contract there in June. But instead he's fighting for a spot on the National Hockey League's Phoenix Coyotes in Glendale, Arizona.

"I was in Finland for over a month," Coburn said. "After talking to my agent we decided it wasn't the right fit so we began looking at opportunities back in North America. Phoenix expressed a lot of interest so that's ultimately how I ended up there."

After participating in the team's recent rookie camp, Coburn was one of 58 players invited to compete in the organization's upcoming main camp with a shot to crack the NHL.

The main camp starts Thursday, and Phoenix opens the exhibition season Sunday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 58-man training camp roster must be trimmed to 23 prior to the start of the regular season (October 3).

Coburn accumulated 20 goals and 53 assists in 153 career games with the Dutchmen.

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Forgaard, Stuart headed to France

by Ryan Fay

Senior defensemen Ryan Forgaard and Shawn Stuart signed contracts with Drakkars of the French Elite League on Monday.

Forgaard collected nine points (all assists) in 110 games played for the Dutchmen. Stuart recorded 26 points (four goals, 22 assists) in 147 games played.

They will be joined in Europe by Greg Coburn. The senior defenseman signed with Ilves of the Finnish Elite League last Monday.

Coburn inks deal overseas

by Ryan Fay

Greg Coburn is heading overseas.

The senior defenseman has signed a contract with Ilves Tampere of the Finnish Elite League, the top professional hockey league in Finland. Terms were not disclosed.

The 24-year-old piled up 73 points (20 goals) and registered a cumulative plus-41 rating in 153 career games at Union.

This past season was his best with career highs in goals (eight), assists (20), and points (28). Coburn ranked in the top three in each category among ECAC defensemen.

Often noted for his leadership ability, Coburn served as an alternate captain this past year.

Simpson among award winners

by Ryan Fay

Senior forward Wayne Simpson, who led the Dutchmen with 36 points and seven game winning goals, was named the team MVP at the annual Union hockey awards banquet Sunday night.

Other award winners include:

Sophomore Daniel Ciampini walked away with the most improved player award. The forward scored 21 points this past season, 15 more than he did in his freshman campaign. His goal total jumped from three to 11 and his assist tally increased from three to 10.

Freshman Matt Wilkins, who led all Union freshmen with 16 points, was named the rookie of the year. The forward was especially good after the first of the year, as 12 of his 16 points came after the calendar flipped to 2013.

The coaches award went to the three captains, seniors Kyle Bodie and Greg Coburn, and junior Mat Bodie.

Sophomore defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere picked up the 7th player award, chosen annually by the fans. It is awarded to the player who fans feel, with extra effort and skill, consistently creates excitement and aggressive play, resulting in a team advantage. Gostisbehere finished second among Union defensemen with 26 points, trailing only the 28 posted by Greg Coburn.

Junior forward Cole Ikkala picked up two awards, the Charlie Morrison award for community involvement and the Scott Richardson Unsung Hero award.

Theo DiPauli, a freshman forward, was awarded the VanArden Dukehart award for team's highest GPA.

Union players receive honors

by Ryan Fay

Three Union men's hockey players received distinctions on Thursday.

Sophomore defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, a 2012 Philadelphia Flyers third round pick, received second team All-ECAC honors. The native of Margate, Florida has 7 goals and 17 assists in 32 games and also earned a gold medal while playing for Team USA in the World Junior Championships at the turn of the year.

Forward Daniel Carr, who ranks third on the team with 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists), was named to the All-ECAC third team. The junior recently became the 10th Division I era Union player to reach the 100 career points milestone.

Defenseman Mat Bodie joined Carr on All-ECAC third team. With 24 points (6 g, 18 a), the junior is tied with Gostisbehere and senior Greg Coburn for the team lead in points by a defenseman. Bodie, who hails from East St. Paul, Manitoba, recently surpassed Lane Caffaro as the program's Division I era points leader among defensemen. He has 85 career points (20 g, 65 a) entering tomorrow's ECAC semifinal game against Yale.

CLOSE CALLS

Coburn (8 g, 16 a) was a finalist for the league's best defensive defenseman award, but lost to Quinnipiac senior Zach Davies.

The men's hockey program was a finalist for the Turfer Athletic award, but Dartmouth walked away with it. The award is presented annually to an individual, coach or team who best represents the core values of Turfer Athletics: tenacity, commitment and innovation.

Junior goaltender Troy Grosenick also came up short. He was a finalist for the ECAC's student-athlete award, but Clarkson's Matt Zarbo was the winner.

VIDEO: Postseason media day press conference

by Ryan Fay

Members of the Union men's hockey team met with the media during Tuesday's postseason media day.

From left to right in the video below: head coach Rick Bennett, goaltender Troy Grosenick, defenseman Greg Coburn, defenseman Mat Bodie, and forward Kyle Bodie.

Union hosts Dartmouth in best-of-three ECAC quarterfinal series beginning Friday at 7 pm.

Reviewing the men's hockey class of 2013

by Ryan Fay

Tonight's game versus Clarkson marks the final regular season home game for five Union players. Kyle Bodie, Greg Coburn, Ryan Forgaard, Wayne Simpson, and Shawn Stuart are set to graduate this spring.

The seniors have propelled Union to 89 victories in the past four seasons and would become the winningest class with three more wins. Additionally, the seniors have contributed to two Cleary Cups (2011, 2012), a Whitelaw Cup (2012), and a Frozen Four appearance (2012).

Below are former head coach Nate Leaman's assessments of the seniors from when the recruiting class was announced by Union in May 2009. I've included some short career summaries to see how those assessments have panned out. There's also looks at three additional members of the class who left the program early.


F KYLE BODIE

LEAMAN: "Kyle has very good vision with a great stick. In junior hockey he was a very good power-play player at the top of the point. We graduated two guys, leaving holes that we needed to fill. We look for him to step in and have an impact on the team."

It may have taken two seasons, but Bodie has undoubtedly had an impact on the team. After a combined 22 points in his freshman and sophomore years, Bodie has 60 points in his junior and senior seasons. He is currently tied with Simpson for the team lead in points with 30.

D GREG COBURN

LEAMAN: "Greg led his team in scoring as a defenseman. He is another mobile defenseman with great stick skills and has an offensive upside."

Coburn has saved his best for last as the senior is enjoying his best offensive season to date. His eight goals, 15 assists, and 23 points are all career highs. He has been the Dutchmen's best offensive defenseman this year and has dressed in 146 career games. Of the five seniors, only Simpson has played more games (152).

D RYAN FORGAARD

LEAMAN: "Ryan has a great skill set with good mobility. He competed in probably the best league last year and he has great pedigree coming from the USHL."

Forgaard hasn't provided much impact on the stat sheet (0 goals, 9 assists in four years) but has served as solid depth on the blueline for a defensive unit that has ranked in the top 15 nationally in each of the past four years. The Minnesota native has over 100 games in a Union sweater to his credit.

F WAYNE SIMPSON 

LEAMAN: "Wayne is another forward we think can make an impact. He led prep school in scoring and he plays more of a power game. He has a good stick, good vision and has all the attributes to be a very good player."

Simpson has turned into at least a "very good" player. Earlier this year, he became the ninth player to join Union's Division I era 100 points club and has three 30+ point seasons under his belt.

D SHAWN STUART

LEAMAN: "Shawn has a very good stick with good size on the blue line. He has mobility and we look for him to play for us."

Stuart has certainly played for Union. Until injuries derailed the second part of his senior season, Stuart played in 100 straight games. While never a guy you'd notice looking at a statsheet (25 points in 140 career games) Stuart has nevertheless been a rock on defense for Union. He earned the program's Scott Richardson "unsung hero" award last season.

OTHERS

There are three members of the 2009 recruiting class who won't be partaking in senior night tonight.

JEREMY WELSH left the program after pacing the team in goals (27) and points (44) last year. Welsh decided to forgo in his senior year to sign with the Carolina Hurricanes organization and has spent time in the AHL and NHL since. The Bayfield, Ontario native ended his Union career with exactly 100 points, ninth most in the program's Division I era.

"We don't have a player like Jeremy," Leaman said in 2009. "He has good size and we don't know if he is going to play center or on the wing - he does both exceptionally well. We are going to be a real impact player with how versatile he is on offense and defense."

With a 1.99 goals against average, KEITH KINKAID backstopped the Dutchmen to their first Cleary Cup in his sophomore campaign.

"Keith has won almost every award in junior hockey," Leaman said in 2009. "He's really developing nicely. He has good size and good athletic ability."

The goalie developed nicely enough that the Devils wooed him to go pro after two years in Schenectady. In the time since, Kinkaid has performed solidly in extensive action at the AHL level for Albany.

JEAN SEBASTIAN BERGERON is the least known name of the bunch. The defenseman left Union after two seasons.

"Jean Sebastian is a mobile defenseman," Leaman said in 2009. "I like his competitive level; he competes very well."

But he never competed for Union. Bergeron saw no game action in his two seasons. He would go on to play 11 games of Canadian college hockey in 2011-2012 for Concordia.

VIDEO: Mayor's Cup Ceremony at City Hall

by Ryan Fay

A ceremony was held at Schenectady City Hall earlier today in honor of Union winning the inaugural Mayor's Cup.

Union beat RPI, 3-2, on Jan. 26 to capture the cup.

Members of the Union community presented the cup to Schenectady mayor Gary McCarthy. Men's hockey players Kyle Bodie, Greg Coburn, and Mat Bodie were in attendance. Additionally, head coach Rick Bennett and Union College president Stephen Ainlay were also present.

Mayor's Cup Highlights

Here are the highlights from last night's dramatic 3-2 win over RPI in the inaugural Mayor's Cup game. From "GoUnionAthletics" on YouTube.

Dutchmen players weigh in ahead of Mayor's Cup game vs RPI

by Ryan Fay

The much-hyped inagural Mayor's Cup game between RPI and Union will be played tonight at 7:30 pm at the Times Union Center in downtown Albany. 

Though it's a non-league game, and thus doesn't count in the league standings, there is plenty at stake. Union will look for its eighth win a row against their Route 7 rivals while RPI will be looking for their first win over the Dutchmen since November 2010.

Over the past couple days, I've collected various thoughts from a few Union players ahead of the game.

Daniel Ciampini played some of his best hockey this season against RPI. In the previous two meetings this year, the sophomore had three goals and four points. He offered some thoughts on what kind of game it will be tonight:

"It's going to be a good game -- good old fashioned, hard hockey. We're both hard-nosed teams and we both like to grind it out. RPI is riding a high and we're coming off a pretty decent weekend. Both teams are in a groove and will be ready for it."

What are the keys to a Union victory? Kyle Bodie, second on the team with 25 points, weighed in:

"Sticking to our game plan and being disciplined. In these games, you're right on that line, so you have to be careful not to cross it because both teams have good specialty teams."

Barring a postseason matchup, tonight's game will be the last Union-RPI game for the seniors. I asked a couple of them about their memories of playing RPI over the years.

Said Greg Coburn: "A lot of the games stand out. But going back to freshman year, that first time I played them, I think it was at our barn... the fans were electric and it was a lot of fun to feel that experience."

Said Bodie: "My first goal was against RPI in my freshman year, so that's a good memory. So was beating them in their own tournament (same year). Last year was probably the best one when we swept them in the playoffs. Every game we play against RPI, both sides get up, and they're probably the best games of the year." 

One wildcard in tonight's game is the probable RPI goaltender, freshman Jason Kasdorf. Union only saw him in the third period in their second game against RPI in November. But Kasdorf, who has a 1.60 goals against average, is one of the biggest reasons for RPI's turnaround in the past couple months. I asked Bodie and Coburn, Union's top scoring defenseman, about facing a goaltender against whom Union has limited experience.

Said Bodie: "If he's starting as a freshman, he must be doing something right. We have to get a lot of pucks and bodies to the net. We know that if we want to get pucks by him we have to put a lot of rubber on net. That's something we've been focusing on and something we'll try to get done [tonight]."

Said Coburn: "We just have to feel him out and get a lot of shots on him. We have guys who can put the puck in the back of the net and we have to rely on that."

On most weekends, Union plays two different schools. But not so this weekend, having only tonight's Mayor's Cup game. I asked Bodie about the differences in preparation when there's one school on the weekend schedule.

Said Bodie: "As you prepare during the week, even if you're going against two teams, sometimes you're only looking at the Friday night game. But we received the scouting report a little earlier this week and guys know we only have one game this weekend. We don't have to hold anything back."

END NOTES

Kelly Zajac (Albany-AHL) scored his second goal in the AHL this year in Friday's 4-1 win over Adirondack. The former Union star has two goals and an assist in five games with Albany. He graduated last spring following a four year career that put him in second place on the program's Division I career points list (128).....  If you missed it previously, I did a Q&A with RPI head coach Seth Appert ahead of the game. You can find that here. Appert talked about the improvement of his team, Union's success against RPI, and some of his players who could be factors tonight.