Schenectady, N.Y. (June 18, 2003) – The Union College men's hockey program announced Wednesday the addition of seven freshmen and one transfer student to the 2003-04 squad. The three defensemen, four forwards, and one goaltender join veterans from the 02-03 team that finished in sixth place (10-10-2) in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) standings.
Head Coach Kevin Sneddon made the initial announcement stating, “My assistant coaches, Andrew Will and Greg Klym, worked extremely hard to recruit another excellent class of student-athletes to Union College. This group of eight players will help us to improve upon our past performances while striving to bring Union Hockey to the next level.”
The Dutchmen graduated five seniors at last weekend's commencement ceremony, but return 22 players, including seven of the top-10 scorers from last season. They begin the season on October 11 at Niagara and host their first game on October 18 vs. Merrimack as part of Union's Homecoming festivities.
Defense
Joining Union's six veteran blueliners are the following rookies:
Jason Ortolano comes to Union from the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs. In 49 games played, the Carteret, New Jersey native tallied 18 goals and 20 assists with 76 penalty minutes.
Sean Streich will join the Dutchmen after skating with the Langley Hornets in 2002-03. Streich hails from Kimberley, British Columbia and registered five goals and 18 assists in 43 games last season and served 43 penalty minutes.
Adam Wood rounds out the rookie blueliners, spending last season with the Vaughan Vipers. From Toronto, Ontario, Wood played in 37 games last season and accumulated one goal and 11 assists with 91 penalty minutes.
Forward
Four forwards, including three freshmen and one transfer, will join Union's 14 returning forwards:
Olivier Bouchard, from Quebec City, Quebec, comes to Union from Upper Canada College. In 38 games last season, Bouchard tallied 32 goals and 52 assists, serving only 20 penalty minutes.
Ian Ross spent last season with the Capital District Selects. The Hibbing, Minnesota native played in 37 games in 2002-03 and registered 17 goals and 18 assists with 38 penalty minutes.
John Thiel comes to Schenectady from Waterloo, Ontario. With the Waterloo Siskins last season, Thiel scored 24 goals and 36 assists in 47 games, serving 94 penalty minutes
Brent Williams will also come to Union this season after skating at Iona College the past two seasons. From Prince George, British Columbia, he will be eligible at the start of the season and will join the junior class. In 35 games last season, Williams had 13 goals and 14 assists with 46 penalty minutes.
Goal
One goaltender will join Union's sophomore goaltending duo of Kris Mayotte and Tim Roth:
Dan Tatar from Queensbury, New York, joins the Dutchmen netminders after his last season with Loomis Chaffe. Tatar is a Western New England All-Star, appearing in 20 games with a 5.05 GAA and .893 save percentage.
2003-2004 Union Hockey Newcomers at a Glance
| Name | Hgt | Wgt | DOB | Pos | Last Team | Hometown |
| Olivier Bouchard | 6'3 | 195 | 3/2/1984 | F | Upper Canada College | Quebec City, Quebec |
| Jason Ortolano | 6'1 | 200 | 3/14/1983 | D | NH Junior Monarchs | Carteret, New Jersey |
| Ian Ross | 6'2 | 190 | 1/18/1984 | F | Capital District Selects | Hibbing, Minnesota |
| Sean Streich | 6'0 | 180 | 7/18/1982 | D | Langley Hornets | Kimberley, British Columbia |
| Dan Tatar | 5'10 | 180 | 9/25/1983 | G | Loomis Chaffe | Queensbury, New York |
| John Thiel | 6'0 | 190 | 10/20/1984 | F | Waterloo Siskins | Waterloo, Ontario |
| Brent Williams | 5'10 | 180 | 6/20/1980 | F | Iona College | Prince George, British Columbia |
| Adam Wood | 6'2 | 205 | 7/21/1983 | D | Vaughan Vipers | Toronto, Ontario |