Union men's hockey coach Nate Leaman announced the hiring of Rick Bennett to the coaching staff. Bennett comes to Union after spending the past five years as the assistant coach at Providence College.
“We are extremely pleased to have someone with Rick's character, work ethic, and experience on our staff,” stated Leaman. “He has coached at the collegiate level for five years and has also had playing experience at the highest level. He will be a real asset to the program.”
The 2000-01 Friars squad had its best Hockey East regular season finish in the program's history and was also Runner-Up in the Hockey East Tournament.
A 1990 graduate of Providence, Bennett was a four-year standout for the Friars and ranks 21st all-time in scoring with 134 points (50 goals, 84 assists). He earned Second-Team All-American honors as a junior, and as a senior captain for the Friars earned Second-Team All-Hockey East accolades and was a Hobey Baker Finalist.
After graduating from Providence, Bennett played professional hockey. From 1990-93, he played for the Binghamton Rangers of the AHL and saw action in 15 games for the New York Rangers of the NHL. After leaving Binghamton, he spent two seasons with the Springfield Indians of the AHL and played his final four seasons of professional hockey (1995-99) for the Jacksonville Lizard Kings (ECHL) and the Pee Dee Pride (ECHL). In addition to playing for the Lizard Kings and the Pride, Bennett also served as an assistant coach for each team.
“From what I've seen of the campus and talking to athletic director Jim McLaughlin and Nate it seems like a win-win situation and I'm excited to be a part of the program,” commented Bennett. “Union has a great support staff and a lot of good people working there and that was what I was most impressed with.”
Bennett will work with the defensemen and will assist current Union assistant coach Bill Riga with special teams. He will also help with recruiting and team video.
Founded in 1795, Union is a highly selective residential college of 2,100 students, located in upstate New York. Union is well known for its excellence in athletics while being fundamentally committed to academic achievement. Union sponsors NCAA Division III sports for 23 men's and women's varsity teams that participate in the Liberty League, the Division I ECAC Hockey League for men's and women's ice hockey, club sports, intramural, and recreational programs.