Union College Men's Ice Hockey

Bennett owns a five-year record of 112-59-27 (.634). He became the third Union hockey coach to reach 100 career victories with the Dutchmens 5-3 win against then #3 Boston Universityon Oct. 10, 2015. Bennett holds a 22-6 postseason record and is 15-4 in the ECAC Hockey Tournament. He has also won 58 percent of his league games in ECAC Hockey (56-38-16). Bennett's record against nationally-ranked teams stands at 40-21-11 (.631). In just his third season behind the helm, Bennett led Union to its first-ever NCAA Division I Championship, as top-ranked Union defeated second-ranked Minnesota, 7-4, on April 12, 2014 before 18,742 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. For his efforts, Bennett was named recipient of the 2014 Spencer Penrose Award as National Coach of the Year by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA). Bennett completed the hat trick of major awards by also receiving Coach of the Year honors from College Hockey News and U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO). Bennett was named the fifth head coach in Union's Division I history on April 20, 2011.  He has signed three extensions and is under contract for the next seven seasons through 2021-22. Bennett's accomplishments in four seasons are nothing short of amazing: a national championship, two Frozen Fours, three NCAA Tournament berths, three Whitelaw Cups and two Cleary Cups. In 2014-15, Bennett led the Dutchman program to its eighth-straight winning season, producing a 19-win campaign.  Union also captured its first-ever road playoff series win (a sweep at Cornell), advancing to the ECAC Hockey Quarterfinals for the eighth consecutive year.  The team also spent 10 weeks in the national polls and defeated five nationally-ranked opponents. Union defeated Rensselaer, 8-3, in the Capital District Mayor's Cup, improving Bennett's record against RPI to 11-3.  The 2013-14 season was unprecedented in Union's 71 years of varsity hockey. In addition to capturing the national title, Union finished with the most wins (32) and top winning percentage (.810) in the country.  Union reached the No. 1 position in both national polls for the first time in the school's 23-year Division I history and spent 16 weeks ranked in the top 10.  Bennett's squad finished second in NCAA scoring offense (3.81) and fourth in scoring defense (2.14 gpg).    Union closed the season with a 17-game unbeaten streak (16-0-1), which also included a school-record 12-straight wins.  The Dutchmen did not lose a game in February, March or April, going a perfect 8-0 in the postseason. Earlier in the season, Union strung together a 10-game unbeaten streak (9-0-1) and a nine-game win streak. The Garnet and White also won their last 12 games at Messa Rink. In clinching its second ECAC Hockey regular season crown in three seasons, Union set school records for conference wins (18) and points (37), scoring a league-high 83 goals (3.77 gpg) while surrendering a league-low 42 goals (1.91 gpg). Over the course of the season, Union won 12 season series (eight against league opponents), and clinched the Capital Skates Trophy against Rensselaer. Bennett also coached four All-Americans in Shayne Gostisbehere, Mat Bodie, Daniel Carr and Colin Stevens. Prior to being named head coach at Union, Bennett spent six seasons as an assistant on Nate Leaman's staff, starting with the 2005-06 campaign.  Rick was promoted to associate head coach in 2007-08.  Before arriving in Schenectady, Bennett served five seasons (2000-05) as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Providence.   A native of Springfield, Mass., Bennett was a four-year letterwinner (1986-90) and co-captain at Providence, where he was recognized as a Hobey Baker finalist (1990) and two-time winner of the Lou Lamoriello Trophy as team MVP.  He was named an All-American during the 1988-89 season and earned All-Hockey East Second Team honors in 1990. A left-winger, Bennett finished with 134 points (50 goals, 84 assists) in 128 career games. Bennett skated on the famed B-B-G line, along with center Mike Boback and right wing Robbie Gaudreau.  Rick, who graduated with a B.A. in general studies, was inducted into the Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012. Bennett was a third-round draft pick (54th overall) of the Minnesota North Stars in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft.  His draft rights were later traded to the New York Rangers. Bennett appeared in 15 games with the Rangers over three seasons (1989-90, 1990-91, 1991-92).  Bennett's 10-year professional career also included stints with the Binghamton Rangers (AHL), Springfield Indians (AHL), Hershey Bears (AHL), Springfield Falcons (AHL), Albany River Rats (AHL), Cincinnati Cyclones (IHL), Jacksonville Lizard Kings (ECHL) and Pee Dee Pride (ECHL).  Bennett served as an assistant coach for the Lizard Kings and Pride. Bennett is a member of the American Hockey Coaches Association and is in his third year on the Hobey Baker Selection Committee. He has also been involved with the United Way and the American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer campaign. Rick is married to Karyn, and has five children: Dan Mooney (25), Hayley (21), Brooke (19), Race (17) and Lakyn (12).  The Bennetts reside in Clifton Park, N.Y. Rick Bennett completed his fifth season as Union College's men's hockey coach in 2015-16, having taken the program to new heights. His .634 winning percentage ranks sixth-best among active Division I coaches. Bennett owns a five-year record of 112-59-27 (.634). He became the third Union hockey coach to reach 100 career victories with the Dutchmens 5-3 win against then #3 Boston Universityon Oct. 10, 2015. 22-6 postseason record and is 15-4 in the ECAC Hockey Tournament. He has also won 58 percent of his league games in ECAC Hockey (56-38-16). Bennett's record against nationally-ranked teams stands at 40-21-11 (.631). In just his third season behind the helm, Bennett led Union to its first-ever NCAA Division I Championship, as top-ranked Union defeated second-ranked Minnesota, 7-4, on April 12, 2014 before 18,742 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. For his efforts, Bennett was named recipient of the 2014 Spencer Penrose Award as National Coach of the Year by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA). Bennett completed the hat trick of major awards by also receiving Coach of the Year honors from College Hockey News and U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO). Bennett was named the fifth head coach in Union's Division I history on April 20, 2011.  He has signed three extensions and is under contract for the next seven seasons through 2021-22. Bennett's accomplishments in four seasons are nothing short of amazing: a national championship, two Frozen Fours, three NCAA Tournament berths, three Whitelaw Cups and two Cleary Cups. In 2014-15, Bennett led the Dutchman program to its eighth-straight winning season, producing a 19-win campaign.  Union also captured its first-ever road playoff series win (a sweep at Cornell), advancing to the ECAC Hockey Quarterfinals for the eighth consecutive year.  The team also spent 10 weeks in the national polls and defeated five nationally-ranked opponents. Union defeated Rensselaer, 8-3, in the Capital District Mayor's Cup, improving Bennett's record against RPI to 11-3.  The 2013-14 season was unprecedented in Union's 71 years of varsity hockey. In addition to capturing the national title, Union finished with the most wins (32) and top winning percentage (.810) in the country.  Union reached the No. 1 position in both national polls for the first time in the school's 23-year Division I history and spent 16 weeks ranked in the top 10.  Bennett's squad finished second in NCAA scoring offense (3.81) and fourth in scoring defense (2.14 gpg).    Union closed the season with a 17-game unbeaten streak (16-0-1), which also included a school-record 12-straight wins.  The Dutchmen did not lose a game in February, March or April, going a perfect 8-0 in the postseason. Earlier in the season, Union strung together a 10-game unbeaten streak (9-0-1) and a nine-game win streak. The Garnet and White also won their last 12 games at Messa Rink. In clinching its second ECAC Hockey regular season crown in three seasons, Union set school records for conference wins (18) and points (37), scoring a league-high 83 goals (3.77 gpg) while surrendering a league-low 42 goals (1.91 gpg). Over the course of the season, Union won 12 season series (eight against league opponents), and clinched the Capital Skates Trophy against Rensselaer. Bennett also coached four All-Americans in Shayne Gostisbehere, Mat Bodie, Daniel Carr and Colin Stevens. Before arriving in Schenectady, Bennett served five seasons (2000-05) as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Providence.   A native of Springfield, Mass., Bennett was a four-year letterwinner (1986-90) and co-captain at Providence, where he was recognized as a Hobey Baker finalist (1990) and two-time winner of the Lou Lamoriello Trophy as team MVP.  He was named an All-American during the 1988-89 season and earned All-Hockey East Second Team honors in 1990. A left-winger, Bennett finished with 134 points (50 goals, 84 assists) in 128 career games. Bennett skated on the famed B-B-G line, along with center Mike Boback and right wing Robbie Gaudreau.  Rick, who graduated with a B.A. in general studies, was inducted into the Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012. Bennett was a third-round draft pick (54th overall) of the Minnesota North Stars in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft.  His draft rights were later traded to the New York Rangers. Bennett appeared in 15 games with the Rangers over three seasons (1989-90, 1990-91, 1991-92).  Bennett's 10-year professional career also included stints with the Binghamton Rangers (AHL), Springfield Indians (AHL), Hershey Bears (AHL), Springfield Falcons (AHL), Albany River Rats (AHL), Cincinnati Cyclones (IHL), Jacksonville Lizard Kings (ECHL) and Pee Dee Pride (ECHL).  Bennett served as an assistant coach for the Lizard Kings and Pride. Bennett is a member of the American Hockey Coaches Association and is in his third year on the Hobey Baker Selection Committee. He has also been involved with the United Way and the American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer campaign. Rick is married to Karyn, and has five children: Dan Mooney (25), Hayley (21), Brooke (19), Race (17) and Lakyn (12).  The Bennetts reside in Clifton Park, N.Y.

Dumais helped the Dutchmen reach the pinnacle of college hockey, capturing the NCAA national championship.  On the road to the championship, Dumais served four games as acting head coach, leading the team to a 3-1 record, including wins against 13th-ranked Yale and 15th-ranked Clarkson. Overseeing special teams, Dumais' power play units have ranked in the top 20 nationally the last four seasons.  Union also set a school record last year with eight short-handed goals. Dumais came to Union in the summer of 2011 after spending three seasons (2008-11) as the assistant coach at the University of Con­necticut. A native of Auburn, Maine, Dumais played four seasons (2002-06) at Quinnipiac University, appearing in 128 career games.  He captained the Bobcats as a senior, graduating in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in sociology. Dumais later earned a master's degree in recreation and sport sciences at Ohio University, serving as an assistant coach for the club hockey team. Dumais also coached at the Tier II Junior A level, working with the Mahoning Valley Phantoms of the North American Hockey League (NAHL).  In 2007-08, he coached the Phantom Fireworks Midget AAA to Ohio and Mid-American championships and a berth in the national tournament. Joe and his wife, Theresa, have a son, Colin, and a daughter, Katelyn. The Dumais family resides in Clifton Park, N.Y. Joe Dumais begins his fifth season on the Union College men's hockey coaching staff.  He was named associate head coach on July 1, 2015 after spending four years as an assistant coach. In 2013-14, Dumais helped the Dutchmen reach the pinnacle of college hockey, capturing the NCAA national championship.  On the road to the championship, Dumais served four games as acting head coach, leading the team to a 3-1 record, including wins against 13th-ranked Yale and 15th-ranked Clarkson. Overseeing special teams, Dumais' power play units have ranked in the top 20 nationally the last four seasons.  Union also set a school record last year with eight short-handed goals. Dumais came to Union in the summer of 2011 after spending three seasons (2008-11) as the assistant coach at the University of Con­necticut. A native of Auburn, Maine, Dumais played four seasons (2002-06) at Quinnipiac University, appearing in 128 career games.  He captained the Bobcats as a senior, graduating in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in sociology. Dumais later earned a master's degree in recreation and sport sciences at Ohio University, serving as an assistant coach for the club hockey team. Dumais also coached at the Tier II Junior A level, working with the Mahoning Valley Phantoms of the North American Hockey League (NAHL).  In 2007-08, he coached the Phantom Fireworks Midget AAA to Ohio and Mid-American championships and a berth in the national tournament. Joe and his wife, Theresa, have a son, Colin, and a daughter, Katelyn. The Dumais family resides in Clifton Park, N.Y.

Tapp enters his eighth season as on the Union College men's hockey coaching.  Tapp, who was promoted to Associate Head Coach on August 29, 2016, joined the staff as a volunteer coach in 2009-10. The team's defensive/goaltending coach, Tapp has developed five All-Americans and two Hobey Baker finalists in six seasons at Union: defensemen Mat Bodie and Shayne Gostisbehere (Hobey Baker finalist), along with goaltenders Troy Grosenick (Hobey Baker finalist), Keith Kinkaid, and Colin Stevens. In terms of ECAC Hockey award winners, Tapp has produced three Goaltenders of the Year (Stevens, Grosenick, Kinkaid), a Best Defensive Defenseman (Gostisbehere), 10 all-league selections and three all-rookie team members. Tapp has also sent several players to the National Hockey League with Grosenick landing in San Jose and Kinkaid in New Jersey.  Mat Bodie (NYR) and Colin Stevens (FLA) signed NHL contracts while Gotisbehere is a top prospect for Philadelphia and Jeff Taylor has been drafted by Pittsburgh. Under Tapp's direction, Union has ranked first (2011-12), fourth (2013-14) and seventh (2012-13) nationally in scoring defense.  The 2011-12 squad allowed only 1.83 goals per game.  During his time in the Electric City, Tapp seen six goaltenders record a total 25 shutouts.  Last year's team also scored a school-record eight short-handed goals. In 2014-15, Tapp worked with All-ECAC Third Team defenseman Jeff Taylor, and saw Colin Stevens finish as the school's career leader in wins (53) and co-leader in shutouts (11). In 2013-14, Tapp was a member of the NCAA Championship team.  That season Union goaltenders won seven weekly conference awards and were twice named goaltenders of the month. On two occasions, Union had multiple goaltenders honored in the same week. Tapp is also heavily involved in Union's recruiting efforts. Working in conjunction with Joe Dumais, Union produced the nation's eighth- and 12th-highest scoring freshmen classes the past two seasons.  The Class of 2017 compiled 98 points while the Class of 2018 produced 80 points.  A native of Kelowna, British Columbia, Tapp played four seasons (1998-2002) in goal at Boston University.  He graduated in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in United States history. Tapps pro career began in Europe with the Nijmegen Tigers of the Dutch Superliga. He moved back to the United States for a seven-year pro career that included stints with the Columbus Cottonmouths (ECHL), Quad City Mallards (UHL), Corpus Christi Rayz (CHL), Knoxville Ice Bears (SEHL/ACHL) and Kalamazoo Wings (IHL). Tapp was twice named to the UHL All-Star Team as a member of the Quad City Mallards. He set Quad City records for minutes played in a season and consecutive starts (33). He also established a single-season record for games played with Corpus Christi and was named team MVP. Jason is married to Nicol Lally, a news reporter at NEWS10.  The couple has two daughters, Ella and Avery, and a son, Kellen. The Tapps reside in North Greenbush, N.Y. Jason Tapp Associate Head Coach 6571 Jason Tapp enters his eighth season as on the Union College men's hockey coaching.  Tapp, who was promoted to Associate Head Coach on August 29, 2016, joined the staff as a volunteer coach in 2009-10. The team's defensive/goaltending coach, Tapp has developed five All-Americans and two Hobey Baker finalists in six seasons at Union: defensemen Mat Bodie and Shayne Gostisbehere (Hobey Baker finalist), along with goaltenders Troy Grosenick (Hobey Baker finalist), Keith Kinkaid, and Colin Stevens. In terms of ECAC Hockey award winners, Tapp has produced three Goaltenders of the Year (Stevens, Grosenick, Kinkaid), a Best Defensive Defenseman (Gostisbehere), 10 all-league selections and three all-rookie team members. Tapp has also sent several players to the National Hockey League with Grosenick landing in San Jose and Kinkaid in New Jersey.  Mat Bodie (NYR) and Colin Stevens (FLA) signed NHL contracts while Gotisbehere is a top prospect for Philadelphia and Jeff Taylor has been drafted by Pittsburgh. Under Tapp's direction, Union has ranked first (2011-12), fourth (2013-14) and seventh (2012-13) nationally in scoring defense.  The 2011-12 squad allowed only 1.83 goals per game.  During his time in the Electric City, Tapp seen six goaltenders record a total 25 shutouts.  Last year's team also scored a school-record eight short-handed goals. In 2014-15, Tapp worked with All-ECAC Third Team defenseman Jeff Taylor, and saw Colin Stevens finish as the school's career leader in wins (53) and co-leader in shutouts (11). In 2013-14, Tapp was a member of the NCAA Championship team.  That season Union goaltenders won seven weekly conference awards and were twice named goaltenders of the month. On two occasions, Union had multiple goaltenders honored in the same week. Tapp is also heavily involved in Union's recruiting efforts. Working in conjunction with Joe Dumais, Union produced the nation's eighth- and 12th-highest scoring freshmen classes the past two seasons.  The Class of 2017 compiled 98 points while the Class of 2018 produced 80 points.  A native of Kelowna, British Columbia, Tapp played four seasons (1998-2002) in goal at Boston University.  He graduated in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in United States history. Tapps pro career began in Europe with the Nijmegen Tigers of the Dutch Superliga. He moved back to the United States for a seven-year pro career that included stints with the Columbus Cottonmouths (ECHL), Quad City Mallards (UHL), Corpus Christi Rayz (CHL), Knoxville Ice Bears (SEHL/ACHL) and Kalamazoo Wings (IHL). Tapp was twice named to the UHL All-Star Team as a member of the Quad City Mallards. He set Quad City records for minutes played in a season and consecutive starts (33). He also established a single-season record for games played with Corpus Christi and was named team MVP. Jason is married to Nicol Lally, a news reporter at NEWS10.  The couple has two daughters, Ella and Avery, and a son, Kellen. The Tapps reside in North Greenbush, N.Y.

John Ronan completed his 12th season as a coach with the Union College men's hockey team in 2025-26. Ronan served as a volunteer assistant coach during Union's 2013-14 national championship season, then rejoined the staff in a full-time capacity in 2016. He served as interim head coach of the program for the final 17 games of the 2021-22 season, guiding the team to a Mayor's Cup victory over rival Rensselaer. Ronan continued to help run the team's power play in 2025-26, producing 34 power-play goals from 11 different scorers. Senior Brandon Buhr led the team with seven goals on the man-advantage and signed a professional contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs after the season. Overall, Ronan helped Union to a 22-12-3 record, marking its first 20+ win season since 2018-19. The team began the season 4-0-1 and was ranked as high as 20th in the USCHO.com and USA Hockey polls, while also garnering votes for most of the season. Union won the 2026 Mayors' Cup with an unforgettable 5-4 overtime win, marking Union's fifth straight victory in the rivalry. The Garnet Chargers also defeated Quinnipiac for the first time since 2018 and played in the championship game of the 2025 Friendship Four in Belfast, Northern Ireland.  In 2024-25, Ronan helped guide Union to a 19-14-3 record and a top-four finish in the ECAC Hockey standings with a 12-8-2 conference mark, the program's most conference wins in a season since 2017-18 and the sixth most in Union's Division I era. The team started off the year with a 6-1-0 record to earn the program's first national ranking since 2019 and spent much of the year receiving votes in the USCHO rankings. Highlights of the season included keeping the Mayors' Cup trophy in Schenectady for the fourth straight year and bringing the Capital Skates Trophy back home for the first time since 2017 with a season sweep of RPI, as well as sweeping the season series from Cornell University for the first time since 2013-14. Ronan was a key part of the offense averaging 3.32 goals a game in the 2023-24 season, which finished 13th in the nation. He also worked with the power-play unit that ranked 27th with a 21.2 percent efficiency. Senior Liam Robertson scored the first Union hat trick in almost seven years to help defeat Colgate on home ice. Robertson scored seven of Union's 31 power-play goals and was named a member of ECAC Hockey Second Team.  Ronan took over the reins on an interim basis during the tumultuous 2021-22 season and helped to steady the team and the program over the final two months of the year, guiding the team to an 8-8-1 record, a first-round sweep of Princeton in the ECAC Hockey Tournament and a pair of overtime losses to nationally ranked Clarkson in the ECAC Hockey Quarterfinals. In his first season back in Schenectady in 2016-17, the Dutchmen ranked fourth in Division I in goals per game (3.76) and 12th in power play percentage (21.1 percent), while senior forward Mike Vecchione and junior forward Spencer Foo finished first and fourth in the nation in scoring, respectively. Vecchione and Foo were both named Hobey Baker Top-10 Finalists, and Vecchione became the program's first-ever Hobey Baker Hat Trick Finalist.  Ronan returned to Union after spending one season at Mercyhurst University in 2015-16, helping lead the Lakers to an overall record of 17-15-4. He worked primarily with the forwards and power play, helping produce the league's fourth-highest scoring offense (3.00 goals per game) and the third most efficient power play (18.5 percent). Prior to his tenure with the Lakers, Ronan was as an assistant coach with the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League (USHL), winning the 2015 Anderson Cup Championship and helping develop the league's top scoring forward lines and fourth-best power play unit. Off the ice, Ronan handled player scouting, recruiting, drafting, travel planning, and community involvement among other duties. During the 2013-14 season, Ronan was a volunteer assistant coach with the Dutchmen, helping the program to a Whitelaw Cup, a Cleary Cup and the program's first-ever national title. During the season, his primary responsibilities were the power play and forward lines, which finished second in the country in scoring offense. A native of South Boston, Mass., Ronan skated four seasons (2001-05) at the University of Maine. As a forward for the Black Bears, Ronan compiled 25 goals, 22 assists and 47 points in 132 career games. He was named team captain as a senior and earned a Bachelor of University Studies from Maine in 2013. Ronan played seven full seasons in the professional ranks, spending time with the Alaska Aces (ECHL), Florida Everblades (ECHL), Rocky Mountain Rage (CHL), Austin Ice Bats (CHL), Evansville IceMen (CHL), Flint Generals (IHL) and Huntsville Havoc (SPHL).  John also had a stint with the Netherlands-based Geleen Smoke Eaters. John resides in Clifton Park with his wife Robin and daughter Camryn.