A lot of coaches lead their teams to better-than-expected finishes every year. Others lead teams that fail to meet expectations. For Union and head coach Nate Leaman, expectations were exceeded. It was the best season in the program’s 19-year Division I history that included a school-record 21 wins, its first appearance in the ECAC Hockey Championship weekend and title game and a place in the national rankings for 14 straight weeks.

Union’s season was the product of a progression over the last several years. Current seniors were given lots of ice time and lots of responsibility as younger players and the likes of Mike Schreiber, Mario Valery-Trabucco and Jason Walters grew into being some of the best players in ECAC Hockey. A freshman goalie, Keith Kinkaid, was eased into the job upon his arrival on campus but turned into the team’s go-to-guy between the pipes. Leaman made the decision to go with backup goalie Corey Milan in the second and third games of Union’s conference quarterfinal series against Quinnipiac and Milan did the job, making 57 saves on 59 shots in two victories.

The tangible results and achievement are excellent. Other, less measureable data also trends positively for the Dutchmen. A once-dormant Messa Rink is now the place to be on campus Friday and Saturday nights, and the change in attitude around the program is such that winning is now an expectation. This isn’t a one-and-done run for Union.

His Runner-Up: C.J. Marottolo, Sacred Heart