Updates on Future and Former Dutchmen - Feb 2013

by Ryan Fay

It's time for the monthly look at how some former and future Dutchmen are doing for their current teams. This list will be updated once per month through the end of the season. 

With the first of the month falling on Friday, a Union gameday, I'm putting this up here a little early.

You can always find this list via the "future/former Dutchmen updates" link at the top of the page.

FORMER DUTCHMEN UPDATE - FEBRUARY 2013:

D Nolan Julseth-White (Las Vegas, ECHL) - 2 G / 14 A / 16 PTS / 37 GM

>>> Spent 1/19-1/27 with San Antonio (AHL) - 0 G / 0 A / 4 GM
>>> Captain of program's 2012 Frozen Four team.

G Keith Kinkaid (Albany, AHL) - 2.36 GAA / .917 SAVE % / 26 GM
>>> His 37 wins rank second in Union's D1 era (Kris Mayotte - 46)

Welsh (nhl.com)

F Trevor Mingoia (Tri-City, USHL) - 2 G / 19 A / 21 PTS / 28 GM
>>> Left Union in sophomore year on 10/24/12

F Mario Valery-Trabucco (Augsburg, DEL) - 4 G / 9 A / 13 PTS / 31 GM
>>> Ended Union career as program's D1 era leader in goals (59)

F Jeremy Welsh (Charlotte, AHL) - 6 G / 7 A / 13 PTS / 40 GM
>>> Also spent one game (1/22) with Carolina (NHL) - 0 points
>>> One of 9 members of Union's D1 era 100 point club (100 points)

F Kelly Zajac (Albany, AHL) - 2 G / 1 A / 3 PTS / 6 GM
>>> Also spent time this season with Trenton (ECHL) - 4 G / 5 A / 12 GM
>>> Finished Union career second in points (128) in program's D1 era (Adam Presizniuk - 131)
>>> Missed first chunk of season with lower-body injury

FUTURE DUTCHMEN UPDATE - FEBRUARY 2013:

D Noah Henry (Powell River, BCHL) - 1 G / 7 A / 8 PTS / 22 GM
>>> Height: 6'0" / Weight: 190
>>> DOB: 3/4/94
>>> Committed for 2014-2015
>>> Opened season with Penticton (BCHL) - 0 G / 4 A / 20 GM

>>> Acquired from Penticton on 11/14/12

>>> Current Dutchmen Daniel Carr, Kyle Bodie, and Mat Bodie are former Powell River players

D Matt Krug (Indiana, USHL) - 1 G / 6 A / 7 PTS / 34 GM
>>> 6'2" / 200
>>> DOB: 7/9/92
>>> Committed for 2013-2014

D Jeff Taylor (Dubuque, USHL) - 3 G / 11 A / 14 PTS /  34 GM
>>> 6'0 / 170
>>> DOB: 1/25/94
>>> Committed for 2013-2014
>>> Native of Clifton Park, NY
>>> Played at Albany Academy
>>> Set USHL tier I era single game record with a +7 rating on 1/5/13.

G Joe Young (Boston Junior Bruins, EJHL): 2.19 GAA / .920 SAVE % / 19 GM
>>> 6'2 / 170
>>> DOB: 4/16/94
>>> Committed for 2014-2015
>>> Opened season with Vernon (BCHL) - 4.35 GAA / .828 SAVE % / 2 GM
>>> Current Dutchmen goalie Colin Stevens previously played for the Junior Bruins

F Tyler Hynes (Omaha, USHL) - 2 G / 5 A / 7 PTS / 28 GM
>>> 5'10" / 183
>>> DOB: 11/23/93
>>> Committed for 2013-2014
>>> From Slingerlands, NY
>>> Played at Albany Academy

F Eli Lichtenwald (Nipawin, SJHL) - 3 G / 6 A / 9 PTS / 7 GM
>>> 6'6" / 211
>>> DOB: 6/9/92
>>> Committed for 2013-2014
>>> Also spent time this season with Omaha (USHL) - 3 G / 7 A / 10 PTS / 28 GM
>>> Acquired from Omaha on 12/31/12

>>> Previously played with Nipawin in 2010-2011, earning SJHL rookie of the year honors

F Michael Pontarelli (Cornwall, CCHL) - 38 G / 40 A / 78 PTS / 42 GM
>>> 5'9" / 178
>>> DOB: 12/22/93
>>> Committed for 2014-2015
>>> Leads CCHL in goals (38), 6th in assists (40), 2nd in points (78), 2nd in powerplay goals (14)

F Michael Vecchione (Tri-City, USHL) - 13 G / 21 A /  34 PTS / 39 GM
>>> 5'11 / 190
>>> DOB: 2/25/93
>>> Committed for 2013-2014
>>> Decommitted from New Hampshire (Hockey East) in late 2011
>>> Current Union player Ryan Forgaard formerly played with Tri-City

Other reported commits and last known team (stats not available):

D Griff Martin (Avon Old Farms)
>>> 6'1" / 175
>>> DOB: 3/19/94
>>> Committed for 2013-2014
>>> Decommitted from Yale prior to Union committment

F Mark Dufour (Kents Hill Prep)
>>> 6'2" / 178
>>> DOB: 6/26/95
>>> Committed for 2014-2015 or 2015-2016
>>> Taken in 13th round of 2012 QMJHL draft by Drummondville Voltigeurs (did not sign - would have voided NCAA eligibility as QMJHL is a "major junior" league and considered a "pro" league by NCAA)

F Alex Gonye (Deerfield Academy)
>>> 6'1 / 165
>>> DOB: 2/10/94
>>> Committed for 2013-2014
>>> Deerfield Academy is the alma mater of Dutchwomen goalie Shenae Lundberg

F Ryan Scarfo (Governors Academy)
>>> 5'11 / 176
>>> DOB: 3/3/94
>>> Committed for 2014-2015
>>> Out for the season following a shoulder injury

Stats as of 1/29/13.

Beal named new Volunteer Assistant/ Local kid Jeff Taylor committs

Union has announced that former Union star Joel Beal '05 will be the new volunteer assistant coach for the Dutchmen. He replaces Jason Tapp, who was promoted to assistant coach a few weeks ago. I heard rumblings that Beal would be joining the staff earlier in the week.

From 2001 to 2005, Beal collected 27 goals and 74 assists for 101 career points. He is one of 19 Union skaters to ever eclipse 100 points. Beal also shares the single season assists record with Kelly Zajac (29 assists).

For the past two years he has coached locally for Albany Academy as an assistant coach and as a head coach for Troy Albany Youth Hockey Minor Midget AAA team. Beal also coached for the Schenectady Youth Hockey Association after his graduation.

I like this move. It's always great to bring back former players (and good one's for that matter) and put them on the coaching staff. Since they're at their alma mater they probably have a little more incentive and passion. Beal will also know what it's like to play at Union and can help the guys out with things he went through while he was at Union. He could also help with recruiting since he knows what it's like to play here and has a good idea of the talent in the NE Prep Leagues.

Fun Fact: Beal is from Brantford, Ontario which is the hometown of another famous hockey player... Wayne Gretzky.

For more check out Union Athletics.com.

On another note, Rick Bennett has reeled in his first recruit and he didn't go too far to get him. According to Heisenberg, Albany Academy's Jeff Taylor has committed to come to Union in 2013 or 2014. As a junior defenseman for AA, Taylor picked up 35 points in 36 games in a tough New England prep league. He is currently listed at 5'11" and 170 pounds, which isn't too big. But, he will play one more year at AA and at least one year of juniors where he will continue to grow and develop.

We'll see how this kid develops, but right now he seems like a good pickup. The numbers he put up this past season are pretty impressive and hopefully he will get even better. Plus, it's nice to have local guys on the team.

For more go to Ken Schott's Blog.