The Clarkson Golden Knights will open up league play when they host the Union Dutchmen, led by first year Head Coach & longtime Associate Coach for the Golden Knights, Josh Hauge.  The Dutchmen come in with 2 league games under their belt as they split a home and home with Capital District travel partner, RPI.  Clarkson will start it's 62nd season of ECAC play tonight.  In 61 years the Knights have a 738-408-112 record in league play. 

The Knights earned a split on the road in Sault St. Marie, Michigan with Lake State.  A 4-3 ot win on Friday was followed by a 5-1 loss on Saturday. 

Clarkson ended Union's season last year when the Knights eliminated the Dutchmen in the ECAC Quarterfinals, but under Hauge, Union has relied on new faces for much of their scoring.  Freshman Nate Hanley, Carter Korpi, John Prokop, and Cal Mell, transfer Josh Nixon and Chris Theodore are 6 of their top 8 scorers, and have accounted for 53% of the team points. Union's rookies have established themselves quickly.  Nick Young was named the ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week on Oct. 10.  John Prokop earned the honor the following week.

The Knights should get Sr. Defenseman, Dustyn McFaul back in the lineup this weekend.  The Boston Bruins Draft pick should help bolster the team D and help on the power play.  Noah Beck was named the ECAC Defender of the Month for October. He is the teams leading scorer after 7 games with 4 goals and 3 assists.  He was named ECAC Defenseman of the Week for Oct 10th, after a 2 goal and 2 assist performance during the UNH/Merrimack weekend.

Ethan Haider has played in all 7 games this season.  He made 170 saves on 191 shots.  His GAA is 2.97 on the season and 2.35 for his career.  So far this year he is facing 2 more shots per game than last season.  Ethan was named the MAC Goaltending/ECAC Goalie of the Week for Oct. 24th.

Ryan Taylor has jumped right into the mix scoring wise.  The freshman had a goal and an assists in the 5-1 win over Mercyhurst and has 2 goals & 2 assists in 5 games.  Ayrton Martino has recorded assists in 5 of the 7 games this season. He had 7 goals and 21 assists last season and was a finalist for ECAC Rookie of the Year and names to the All Rookie Team.

Tonight is the Clarkson PA Program's annual Teddy Bear Toss, fans are reminded to toss that bear after the first Clarkson goal or at the end of the first period.