Union’s season ended last year in disappointment with Kris Mayotte’s apparent breakdown in the first round of the playoffs against RPI. The team will be starting this anew year with first-year Head Coach Nate Leaman. Formerly an assistant with the Harvard Crimson, Leaman brings fresh ideas and a different set of skills to an improving Dutchmen team.
The Skating Dutchmen lost only five lettermen from last season’s team and have two transfer students and six freshmen ready to pick up the slack. Along with the newcomers, returning forwards Joel Beal and Jordan Webb look to add to their point totals. Both Beal and Webb finished last season with 37 points, the most of any Dutchman. The next three highest point-getters graduated, leaving a gap in the offense that may be too big for rookies to fill.
Union’s blue line will also have to step it up this season, especially with the questionable goaltending situation. The Dutchmen have six defenders returning to the ice this season, and assistant captain Brent Booth will have to help get the two rookie defenders ready to play. Union will need Mayotte to come back strong after last year’s playoff woes, otherwise, the team will risk slipping below the .500 mark.
