Garnet Chargers Union Men’s Hockey Team Eager for Last Season at Messa Rink

As the Garnet Chargers kicked off their first practice of the season on Wednesday, there was a unique sense of anticipation.⁢ Not only are⁣ they eager for ‍another exhilarating college ⁢hockey season, but they‍ are ‌also preparing ⁣for their ‌final ‍season at⁢ the historic Messa Rink.

The ⁢Union men’s and ​women’s hockey teams are set to transition to ⁣the newly constructed Mohawk Harbor​ Arena for the 2025-26 season.

Assuming no construction delays, Wednesday’s practice marked⁤ the last first practice of⁢ a season at Messa. This significant‌ moment​ was not lost on the Garnet Chargers.

“We ​aim ⁤to honor and pay tribute to this place, as it⁤ has been an incredible venue for⁤ college‍ hockey,”⁣ said Josh Hauge, who is entering his third season as the Union head coach. “We’ve had‌ some memorable games here. Listening ‍to former players reminisce ‌about their favorite moments here has been a highlight of this offseason.”

Senior ⁣defenseman Cullen Ferguson is thrilled not only for the upcoming season but ​also for the final season at Messa.

“I’ve been eagerly waiting⁢ for the last ‌few weeks to get started, and I’ve been counting down the days,” Ferguson said. “I can’t wait‍ to get ‌into the⁣ action. As for Messa, this is my ‍home, so I’m delighted to be⁤ back here. I can’t wait to get started.”

Junior defenseman John Prokop, assuming he doesn’t turn⁤ pro after the season, will have the opportunity to play in the new rink next year. However, he is equally excited about ​playing one last season‌ at Messa.

“This place⁢ holds a special place ​in our hearts, and I⁤ know it’s been significant for ‍those‍ who have ⁢played in ​the past, especially the 2014 national championship team,” ⁤said Prokop, an ECAC Hockey first⁢ teamer and ⁢an‍ ACHA All-America East second teamer. “The final season ⁣here holds a special significance, even though we’re excited about the new rink. It’s ⁣equally exciting to play the last year at⁢ Messa Rink.”

The energy‍ and noise from the fans echo throughout the‌ rink, creating a challenging environment for the opposition. The Garnet ‍Chargers thrive​ in this atmosphere.

“I’ll miss the new [rink],” senior forward Caden Villegas said. “But the sound in here, it’s something magical. So I’ll always cherish⁤ it, and I’ll miss it for sure.”

Last season, Union finished sixth in the ECACH with a 9-10-3 record for 32 points and a⁣ 16-18-3 overall record. The⁣ Garnet Chargers defeated 11th-seeded ⁤Brown in the ⁢ECACH tournament first-round game, but were swept in the best-of-three quarterfinals by⁣ fourth-seeded Dartmouth.

Union is confident⁢ that‍ it is ready to advance to‍ the ECACH championship round in Lake Placid for the first time since 2017.

“This group and I have grown together, and now we’re all a bit more‍ mature and understand how the‌ league operates,” Hauge said. “Our freshmen from two years ⁤ago are now juniors, and we’re expecting a significant step from them. We’re looking for leadership from our seniors‍ like Colin⁣ Ferguson, Josh Nixon,⁢ and Caden Villegas. It’s exciting. We’re not a young⁤ hockey team anymore. ⁣We have some experience, and we’re ready to⁤ go.”

“We were a ‌younger hockey team the past two years,” Prokop said. “We have 11 juniors, ‌and we have seniors leading​ us, too, and we’ve got a promising freshmen class coming in and our sophomores are right there with them, too. So I think we’re more experienced ⁣coming into this year, and‍ we have expectations to get that ⁤ [first-round] bye, to make Lake Placid and make the [NCAA] tournament.”