Believe In Rick Bennett and Troy Grosenick!

Some people are worried about what's going to happen to the Dutchmen without Coach Leaman and Keith Kinkaid. Union fans should not be worried because Rick Bennett will be a great coach and Troy Grosenick will provide solid goaltending. The biggest thing is believing in them. If the fans believe in them then they will believe in themselves.

I believe in these guys! Happy Springfest!

Rick Bennett fights for the NY Rangers (blue jersey):


Troy Grosenick celebrates with Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (#27):

The End Of An Era

The Nate Leaman Era has officially ended. It was an exciting era, especially in the latter half, which saw Union become an ECAC power and a nationally respected program. If you have to credit one person for all of this success, it has to be Nate Leaman. He is the reason why Union Hockey is no longer a joke, and what makes my blog (and other media sources covering the team) and the rest of Dutch Nation relevant. And for that I and the rest of the fans are extremely grateful for Nate Leaman. So, thank you Nate for everything you have done here.

Even though I wanted Leaman to stay, I understand why he left and I think it is the correct move for him. To be able to coach in Hockey East is a tremendous opportunity considering it is one of the three premiere leagues in college hockey. The conference has produced three of the past four national champions, while an ECAC team hasn't won the national championship since 1989 (Harvard). Another factor is that Providence offers athletic scholarships, while Union does not. This will allow Leaman to recruit higher end players. In other words, moving from the ECAC to Hockey East is a big upgrade.

Leaman's new job will be another "building process." Providence Hockey has been dormant for a number of years and has been at the bottom of the Hockey East standings for a number of years. If Leaman is able to bring the Friars back to prominence, who knows what that means for him. Not to look too far into the future, but BC's Jerry York and BU's Jack Parker are not getting any younger, and if Leaman is able to prove himself in Hockey East like he did in the ECAC maybe he will be considered to take over these power house programs. If you look at all-time great coaches like Jerry York and Ron Mason they have both coached three teams (York: Clarkson, Bowling Green, Boston College; Mason: Lake Superior, Bowling Green, Michigan State), and they each moved up the coaching ranks during their careers and ended up having huge success in their third stop. So, maybe Leaman's time at Providence is just one stop closer to winning a national championship at a big program.

While the terms of Leaman's new contract are undisclosed, you have to assume that he will be getting a major raise in pay. Coach has just started his family, so money is a factor and you can't blame him for that. Some people are blaming the administration for not increasing his pay, but you have to remember that this is Union College. This is a school where academics is by far the number one priority, and while I would like to see every penny put towards the hockey program it is simply not an option. It is impossible to pay coaches at Union like coaches at Michigan, Boston College, or other bigger schools. These kinds of schools get revenue from other sports like basketball and football that help fund the hockey programs.

While this program technically is a D-I program, it really can't be treated like it. They cannot offer athletic scholarships and there isn't any outside monetary support to help the program (even though the Garnet Blades does a great job). So people ask, why is Union Hockey D-I anyways? That is a question that I can't really answer. Personally, looking back on it I really don't understand it. Was it to compete with RPI? Perhaps. Who knows? Maybe if Nate Leaman never came along we would be a having a conversation right now on whether the program should go back to D-III. But, we're not so let's just enjoy what we have because it's not going to change.

Now, on to Coach Bennett. I think the immediate hire of Rick Bennett was absolutely the correct move. He's a familiar face that the players like a respect, and knows where this program has come from. Bennett understands what it's going to take to win here and he will follow in the steps of Coach Leaman. I expect the Dutchmen to continue their recent success under Coach Bennett over the next few years. The question I have is whether this program will continue to succeed four years down the road. That will be the true measure of Bennett's success. This success will not only rely on Bennett, but on the assistant coaches he hires within the next few weeks.

Union fans, do not be worried! There are still great times ahead for this program. Yes, our Spencer Penrose Award winning coach and All-American goalie are gone, but their replacements will fill the void. They might be unproven, but know what it takes to win at Union which means to outwork their opponent. I guarantee that Coach Bennett and Troy Grosenick will work as hard, if not harder, than Coach Leaman and Keith Kinkaid and will continue the success we've enjoyed for the past few years.

I believe in Bennett and Grosenick and so should you!

For more on Leaman's departure and Bennett's hiring go to:
Concordiensis
Ken Schott's Blog
USCHO --> Leaman to Providence
USCHO --> Bennett hired
College Hockey News
Providence Journal Blog
Union Athletics
Providence Athletics
Times Union (Sean Martin)
Times Union (Mark McGuire)

Kinkaid Leaves Union For NHL

It was reported late Friday that Union sophomore goaltender Keith Kinkaid had signed (or made a verbal commitment) with the New Jersey Devils. In doing so, he will forgo his final two years at Union. The agreement is not official.

Personally, I think Keith should have stayed one more year because I feel he needs to prove himself in the playoffs a little more. It's not that he's played poorly in the playoffs, but he's 2-5 all-time in post-season play. He's never really stolen a game in the playoffs.

But, I also think that signing with the Devils might be the best place for him to sign for a few reasons:

1. Keith is from Long Island (he's an Islanders fan), so he will be comfortable playing on the East Coast. The Devils' minor league teams play in Albany and Trenton. It will be cool for Union fans to see Keith play just a 30 minutes away from Schenectady (that is if he's assigned to Albany).
2. The Devils' goaltending is very thin. In New Jersey, starting goaltender Martin Brodeur is 38 years old and backup goaltender Johan Hedberg is 37. So, there will be vacancies to fill in New Jersey very soon. In Albany, Jeff Frazee, Mike McKenna, and Dave Caruso saw playing time this season (click here to view stats). Frazee will turn 24 in May and has played three full seasons in the AHL and has never appeared in an NHL game. McKenna just turned 28 and has appeared in 17 NHL games in his career, including two this season with the Devils. Caruso will turn 29 in June and has spent most of his pro career in the ECHL (below the AHL). So, what I'm saying is that the guys in Jersey are getting old and the guys under them are nothing special, so this will be a great path for Keith to reach the NHL.
3. The Devils organization (or at least the top team) is known for playing great defense. In most seasons, the Devils are one of the top teams in the NHL in goals against average. A part of this is obviously Martin Brodeur, but the Devils also play a tough defensive game. It's always attractive for a goalie to go to a team that plays consistently tough defense.

For more check out:
HF Boards
Sachem Patch
Ken Schott's Blog
College Hockey News

So, this brings us to the next question: Who will take over in goal for Kinkaid?

Well, you have freshman Troy Grosenick and incoming freshman Julien LaPlante. Grosenick appeared in three games for Union this season, and started one (the tie at home vs. UConn early in the year). LaPlante had a very good year in the AJHL with the Bonnyville Pontiacs, posting a 28-13-8 record with a 2.09 GAA and .925 save percentage. It will probably be up to these two guys to take over for Keith, unless Coach Leaman has something else up his sleeve. From what I've heard, Grosenick is a very capable goaltender and will be a good NCAA goaltender, so I have faith in him.

Colin Stevens, who is supposed to be an excellent goaltender, is slated to come to Union in 2012-2013. Leaman could always see if Stevens wants to come early. But, I really don't see that happening.

This also brings up another question: Who will be the third goaltender? (assuming Stevens doesn't come early)

Most teams carry three goaltenders. In my four years, Leaman has carried four goaltenders except for the small portion of the 2008-2009 season after Brett Bothwell left midseason, leaving Corey Milan and Rich Sillery as the only goaltenders. I find it very difficult to recruit a goaltender to come to Union to become the third string goalie, and I don't think you can transfer without sitting out a year. It is important to carry a third goalie because of injuries. If your starter gets hurt, you need insurance behind your second string goalie just in case he gets injured or overworked.

So, what's my solution: Kyle Anderson.

Who is Kyle Anderson you ask? He's currently a junior at Union and is the top goaltender on Union's club hockey team. Anderson put up good numbers, but it's not entirely sure what they are because the ACHA's stats are not entirely reliable (click here). In 2008, Anderson won the New York State Championship with Massena. He, along with teammate and current Union freshman Matt Hatch, were named to the all-tournament team. The importance Kyle (or any third goalie) would play would be to take the work load off of Grosenick and LaPlante during practice, so they don't get overworked and can take the occasional day off. It might be a stretch, but it's an idea.

Union disappoints in a tie with UConn

Troy Grosenick made his first career start

Well, that was awful. That's all I can really say. What a terrible way to go into Lake Placid and ECAC play. I really believed the team wouldn't take UConn lightly and over look them, but it seems like they did. In the post-game press conference Coach Leaman said the team was complacent in the past few practices, which is very disappointing. I thought the leadership on this team was better than that. This was the third time in seven games that the Dutchmen relinquished a three goal lead. The other two times they were able to pull out a win, but couldn't find the game-winning goal tonight.

More importantly, this game is REALLY going to hurt Union in the PairWise Rankings (PWR), which decides who makes the NCAA tournament. Last season, Union's bid to the tournament was basically decided with the overtime loss at home against Sacred Heart and the heart-breaking tie with Yale. Hopefully, this game doesn't come back to bite Union in the butt. Also, is it just me or do the Dutchmen have an awful time with teams from Connecticut?

Freshman Troy Grosenick made his first career start tonight and did pretty well. Even though he played fine, I doubt he'll receive playing time anytime soon. Coach Leaman will probably go with Keith Kinkaid for every game from now on since this tie with the Huskies makes the upcoming games even more important. Here's what Leaman had to say about Grosenick: "I though we left him out to dry. He put in a solid effort."

For more on the game go to:
USCHO
Ken Schott's Blog
Union Athletics.com

Here are some videos from the game featuring Troy Grosenick and Jeremy Welsh:

Pics and Vids from warmups vs. UConn

Troy Grosenick prepares for his first start

The captains talk to the refs



Greg Coburn



Josh Jooris



Mat Bodie

UConn goalies warm up

Wayne Simpson

Union tops Niagara 6-1

Wayne Simpson '13

So, I was pretty close on my prediction as the Dutchmen beat the Purple Eagles 6-1 (I predicted a 5-1 win). The usual suspects (Prez, Welsh, and Carr) scored for Union, along with the Simpson brothers and Justin Pallos.Keith Kinkaid made 20 saves for his fourth win of the season.

Also, congratulations to freshman goaltender Troy Grosenick on making his first collegiate appearance. He made three saves in 5:29 of play.

Jeremy Welsh has scored a goal in each of Union's five games this season. I've said all pre-season and I've continued to say it... Jeremy Welsh is going to have a big year! So far, my prediction is looking good.

For more on the game go to:

USCHO

Union Athletics.com

Ken Schott's Blog
Times Union.com

Tonight the Dutchmen will face the RIT Tigers. Last night, the Tigers lost RPI in Troy 4-1.

Dutchmen announce Class of 2014

Union Head Coach Nate Leaman announced that he will be adding eight student-athletes to his roster next season. There will be five forwards, two defensemen, and a goaltender joining the Dutchmen for their 2010-11 campaign. Five of the players are from the States, while the other three a hail from Canada. These guys have some big shoes to fill after the likes of Mario Valery-Trabucco, Jason Walters, and Mike Schreiber have all graduated.

The five forwards are Daniel Carr, Matt Hatch, Cole Ikkala, Josh Jooris, and Kevin Sullivan. The two defensemen are Mat Bodie and Mike Ingoldsby. Troy Grosenick is the lone goaltender.

I am very excited to see all of these guys take the ice in Union uniforms, but I am most interested to see Mat Bodie, the younger brother of Kyle Bodie. From what I have read the younger Bodie is a tremendous offensive defenseman and will make an immediate impact. There is a very high chance that he will be starting lineup once the opening of the season comes around. Ingoldsby sounds like a great blueliner as well and should compete for playing time in his first season. Grosenick sounds like a solid goalie, but will probably have to wait for his senior year to see any real playing time as it seems Keith Kinkaid's position in between the pipes is pretty solidified.

Offensively, it sounds like Leaman has recruited a diverse bunch of players. I think all could make an impact in their first season in Schenectady, but it should be interesting how true freshman like Carr and Sullivan adapt to the college game. And I'm going to call it right now... I think Cole Ikkala will be a fan favorite in his four years. With a last name like that and a gritty style of play he should draw some praise from the Union faithful.

For more on the Class of 2014 check out Union Athletics.com and Ken Schott's Blog.

Grosenick commits to Union

Goaltender Troy Grosenick has recently committed to play for Union College next season. Grosenick currently plays for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) where he is 22-14-2 and sports a 2.83 GAA and .898 save percentage. For more on Grosenick check out USHL.com.

He sounds like a pretty solid goaltender; maybe not a big time starting goaltender but possibly a solid backup or tandem guy.