The defensive corps for the Union continues to shrink. Freshman Rory Farrell became the latest defenseman to leave the Dutchmen. He informed coach Nate Leaman of his decision to depart following last Saturday’s game against Rochester Institute of Technology.
Farrell also withdrew from school and joined the Sioux City Musketeers of the U.S. Hockey League. Farrell is the third Union defenseman to quit the team since September. Sophomore Phil McDavitt left before the start of practice Oct. 1, and junior Jason Ortolano departed last month. That leaves Union with just seven defensemen, four of whom are underclassmen.
“It will test our depth a little bit,” Leaman said. “I think we have seven great defensemen back there. The only thing that changes is that we were planning on recruiting two [defenseman]. Now, we have to get a third to get back up to eight.”
Farrell, a 6-foot-3, 210-pounder from Westfield, Mass., came to the Dutchmen from the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL. He had 138 penalty minutes last season, and was expected to bring some toughness to the defense. But Farrell played in just eight of Union’s 16 games. He had an assist, and was third on the team with 36 penalty minutes.
“Rory had come and seen me about his playing time, so I wasn’t shocked at all,” Leaman said. “What I talked to Rory about was playing his position.”
Farrell didn’t return a phone call seeking comment.
Ken Schott covers college hockey for The Daily Gazette in Schenectady, N.Y.
