Union has rewarded head coach Rick Bennett with a contract extension through the 2018-19 season.
In Bennett’s first year as head coach in 2011-12, Union finished 26-8-7 and 14-4-4 in the ECAC. The Dutchmen earned their first ever trip to the Frozen Four with wins over Massachusetts-Lowell and Michigan State in the East Regional of the NCAA tournament. Union also won its first ever Whitelaw Cup as ECAC tournament champions and its second consecutive Cleary Cup.
“We are very proud of Rick Bennett’s remarkable accomplishments in his first season as the head coach of our men’s ice hockey program,” said Union athletic director Jim McLaughlin in a news release. “Rick helped bring unprecedented national attention to our college, as well as tremendous pride to our alumni nationwide. As well as leading our program to the most successful season in history on the ice, he also has recruited quality young men who excel in the classroom and the community.
“Our entire campus community is grateful for his efforts and I am extremely pleased that we will continue to have him serve our student-athletes in the years to come.”
Bennett has been with the Union program since 2005-06, when he was as an assistant coach, and was the associate head coach from 2007-11.
