Union Adds Seven to 2008-09 Roster

SCHENECTADY, NY -- Union College head men's hockey coach Nate Leaman has announced the addition of six freshmen and one transfer student to the 2008-09 team. The group includes three forwards, three defensemen and a goaltender. Five skaters hail from Canada, one from the United States, and one from Sweden, the first Swede and third European to join Union's Division I ranks.

"This group will really complement our solid core of returning veterans and will help bring Union Hockey to the next level," said Leaman. "Rick Bennett and Bill Riga have done a tremendous job bringing in this talented class," he added.

A 6-0 native of Lambeth, Ontario, Randy Hanagan recorded 29 goals and 24 assists for 53 points in 60 games with the Salmon Arm SilverBacks of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) last season. Hanagan led the Silverbacks in scoring in the playoffs with five goals and nine assists in 11 games. "He's a big, up-and-down forward who provides us with some size, strength and ability to get to the net from the right side. These skills will really add to our lineup," said Leaman.

Joining Hanagan from the SilverBacks is Kelly Zajac (ZAY-jack), a 5-10 native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, who ranked second on the team in scoring with 21 goals and 41 assists for 62 points in 60 games last season. Zajac's brother, Travis, is a center with the NHL's New Jersey Devils. Leaman said of the BCHL All-Star, "Kelly is a very smart, crafty centerman. We're going to look for him to be a top-three line player for us and to provide us some more scoring and depth through the middle."

Brian Yanovitch (YAN-o-vitch), a 6-0 native of Mansfield, Mass., posted 18 goals and 33 assists in 45 games last season with the Bridgewater Bandits of the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL). With 51 points, Yanovitch ranked tied for 12^th overall in the league in scoring. "Brian comes in with a high skill level and is a very good skater," said Leaman of the EJHL All-Star. "He can play either wing; he has a left shot but can play strong or weak side."

Carl Ekström (EK-strom) was one of the top scoring defensemen in Sweden's J20 SuperElit League last season, recording 24 points on two goals and 22 assists in 36 games for Södertälje SK. The 6-0 defenseman is a native of Södertälje, Sweden. "He's an extremely mobile right-shot defenseman who was one of the league's best scorers among defensemen," commented Leaman. "Carl will add to the mobility of our defensive corps and while there'll be some growth with him, he has a lot of potential."

A 6-2 native of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Nolan Julseth-White (JILL-seth White) was a BCHL All-Star with 34 points on eight goals and 26 assists in 39 games last season with the Langley Chiefs. Julseth-White was named an assistant captain of Team Canada West that won gold at the 2007 World Junior A Challenge. "He's a big, strong defenseman with a very good stick and a heavy shot," said Leaman.

From Calgary, Alberta, the 6-1 Taylor Reid picked up 24 points with four goals and 20 assists in 55 games with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) last season. He previously played two seasons in the BCHL with Nanaimo (2005-06) and Westside (2006-07). "He is another mobile, right-shot defenseman," said Leaman. "Taylor is very conscious defensively and brings three years of junior hockey experience, most recently on a very good team in Alberta with Fort McMurray."

Brett Bothwell comes to Union after two seasons at Wayne State University, where he posted an 8-13-0 record last season with a 3.36 goals against average, an .879 save percentage and two shutouts, backstopping the Warriors to the College Hockey America semifinals. A 5-10 native of Red Deer, Alberta, Bothwell was a 2007 CHA All-Rookie Team selection after posting an 8-9-1 record including a 5-5-1 mark in league play. "Brett is an experienced college hockey goaltender and is coming into the best two years of his college career," commented Leaman. "He's a smaller goalie, but he's quick, and he's shown the ability to win games against our league, like he did last year at St. Lawrence."

The Dutchmen, who return 21 of 26 letterwinners, open the 2008-09 season with a home exhibition game against the U.S. Under-18 Team on Saturday, October 11, at 7:30 p.m.

Union College Men's Ice Hockey Newcomers for 2008-09

Name                      Yr. Pos.    Ht.    Wt.   D.O.B.        Hometown/Previous Team

Brett Bothwell           Jr.   G     5-10   170   7/23/1986    Red Deer, Alb./ Wayne State University (CHA)

Carl Ekström            Fr.   D      6-0    170   1/31/1989    Södertälje, Sweden/ Södertälje SK (J20 SuperElit)

Randy Hanagan        Fr.   F      6-0    190   9/26/1988    Lambeth, Ont./ Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL)

Nolan Julseth-White  Fr.   D      6-2    210   4/20/1988    Chilliwack, B.C./ Langley Chiefs (BCHL)

Taylor Reid               Fr.   D      6-1    175   7/24/1987    Calgary, Alb./ Ft. McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL)

Brian Yanovitch         Fr.   F      6-0    180   8/31/1988    Mansfield, Mass./ Bridgewater Bandits (EJHL)

Kelly Zajac               Fr.   F     5-10   185   6/6/1988      Winnipeg, Man./ Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL)