The Union College men's hockey program has
announced the addition of 10 freshmen to their 2004-05 roster. The incoming
class will include three defensemen, six forwards, and one goaltender. The
class will join a solid corps of veterans who return from a 03-04 team that
finished the season 14-17-5.
“We have tried to address our weaknesses through
our current recruiting class and are very excited to be adding some great
character and great talent to our team,” said Nate Leaman, head coach.
Among Union's
recruiting class is Casey Ftorek, son of legendary player and
coach Robbie Ftorek. The 1972 Olympian went on to play in the NHL and later was coach of the Albany River Rats and Boston Bruins. The class includes three Canadians and seven American-born
players, including local product Jake Schwan from Clifton
Park.
The Dutchmen, who will graduate two seniors on June 13,
return several key players, including the team's top six scorers from last
season, and goaltender Kris Mayotte who has posted a 2.70 GAA and a .905 save
percentage in 58 career appearances during his two seasons with the Dutchmen.
Union will begin the regular season
on October 15 at Colorado College
and host their first game on October 22 vs. Bowling Green.
The following list provides a quick capsule of each player
in the Dutchmen's 2004-2005 freshman class:
DEFENSE
Mike Beynon – 6-3, 210 lbs., born 6/9/83, Nepean, ON
Most recently played for the Nepean
Raiders (CJHL); 65gp 10-11-21
206 PIM: team was a CJHL play-off finalist.
Skylar Berman – 6-0, 190 lbs., born 5/3/83, Winnipeg
Most recently played for the
Manitoba-Selkirk Steelers (MJHL); 78gp 12-55-67 40 PIM; team was MJHL Play-off
Champions; one of three finalists for league top defenseman award; played for
Team Saskatchewan in Viking Cup
Phil McDavitt – 5-11, 185 lbs., born in 1985, Duxbury,
MA
Most recently played for Noble and
Greenough School;
Mass. Select 15,16, 17 teams
FORWARD
Sam Bowles– 5-11, 185 lbs., born 1/25/85, Davidsonville, MD
Most recently played for the
Boston Jr. Bruins (EJHL); 71gp 24-33-57 30 PIM +60, 5 GWG; EJHL All-Star,
graduate of Hotchkiss School;
team was EJHL regular season champs and play-off runners-up
Scott Brady – 5-11, 175 lbs., born 4/21/83, Sutton, MA
Most recently played for the
Boston Jr. Bruins (EJHL) (assistant captain)
69gp 39-40-79 33 PIM +58, 8 GWG; EJHL All-star, graduate of Pomfret
School; team was EJHL regular
season champs and play-off runners-up
Torren Del Forte – 5-11, 165 lbs., born 7/13/86, Shortsville,
NY
Most recently played for the
Boston Junior Bruins (EJHL); 65gp 11-39-50 30 PIM +36 3 GWG; NY State Select
15,16, 17 teams; team was EJHL regular season champs and play-off runners-up
Josh Coyle – 5-10, 180 lbs., born 9/15/84, Brooklyn, OH
Most recently played for the NH
Jr. Monarchs (EJHL); 52gp 42-40-82 82 PIM; EJHL All-star; team was EJHL
play-off champs, played previously for Soo Indians (NAHL)
Jake Schwan – 5-11, 195 lbs., born 4/6/83, Clifton Park, NY
Most recently played for the
Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL); 63gp 13-9-22
114 PIM +3, 2 GWG; team played in the USHL Final four; played previously for
Capital District Select
Casey Ftorek – 5-9, 170 lbs., born 8/16/84, Bedford, MA
Most recently played for the Taft
School; 71gp 51-55-106 35 PIM;
Father Rob is coach of Albany River Rats; member of the Mid-Western Jr. B
Champs and Sutherland Cup Champs; 3rd in league scoring
GOAL
Justin Mrazek – 6-3, 185 lbs., born 7/21/85, Regina Saskatchewan
Most recently played for the
Estevan Bruins; 14-16-4 record; 2076.11 minutes; .903 save pct.; 1020 saves;
109 goals against
2004-2005
Union Hockey Newcomers at a Glance
Name Hgt Wgt DOB Pos Last Team Hometown
Sam Bowles 5-11 185 1/25/85 F Boston
Jr. Bruins Davidsonville,
MD
Scott Brady 5-11 175 4/21/83 F Boston Jr. Bruins Sutton,
MA
Casey Ftorek 5-9 170 8/16/84 F Taft School Bedford,
MA
Torren Del Forte 5-11 165 7/13/86 F Boston
Jr. Bruins Shortsville,
NY
Josh Coyle 5-10 180 9/15/84 F NH
Jr. Monarchs Brooklyn, Ohio
Jake Schwan 5-11 195 4/6/83 F Waterloo Black Hawks Clifton Park, NY
Mike Benyon 6-3 210 6/9/83 D Nepean Raiders Nepean,
Ontario
Skylar Berman 6-0 190 5/3/83 D Manitoba-Selkirk
Steelers Winnipeg, Manitoba
Phil McDavitt 5-11 185 1985 D Noble & Geenough School Duxbury, MA
Justin Mrazek 6-3 185 7/21/85 G Estevan
Bruins Regina, Saskatchewan