Graphic courtesy of College Hockey, Inc.
While the legacy of Union College's 2014 NCAA Division 1 men's hockey national championship team continues to reverberate within the realm of professional sports, with several team members still playing pro hockey, the impact of its members extends far beyond the rink. Beyond the exhilarating world of professional hockey, a remarkable cohort of alumni from the championship team have pursued diverse paths, achieving success in their fields.
Nick Cruice '16 (far right) with teammates Matt Hatch '14, Mat Bodie '14, Kevin Sullivan '14 and Shayne Gostisbehere '15.
Nick Cruice ’16
Major: Economics
Currently: Execution trader at Hite Hedge Asset Management in Boston, an energy-focused hedge fund.
What is one special memory you have from the national championship win?
My favorite moment was coming out of the Wells Fargo arena, seeing all of our friends and family by the bus. Growing up in Philadelphia, I had many of my friends and family at the game. My brother worked in the Navy Yard in South Philly at the time and would come to the rink to watch our practices. Those moments are something I will always hold onto.
How did Union prepare you for your current career?
Union prepared me for my current career by always enforcing work ethic and accountability. No job was too small or too insignificant. Those principles I still use to this day and they help drive me to succeed in all aspects of my career.
Theodor Di Pauli von Treuheim ‘16 speaks with President David Harris and Athletic Director Jim McLaughlin '93 during a recent celebration for the 2014 championship team at Messa Rink.
Theodor Di Pauli von Treuheim ‘16
Major: Biomedical engineering
Currently: Orthopedic surgery resident at NYU Health
What is one memory you have from the national championship win?
Coming back to campus on the bus and having the entire town lined up on the streets on the road to the rink and cheering us on, then going to meet all the students for festivities. It was amazing to feel the spirit and support in Schenectady.
How did Union prepare you for your current career?
Residency in general, but especially in orthopedic surgery, demands grit and perseverance in order to succeed. The team mentality and character that Coach Bennett demanded from all players on the team has helped me to handle adversity with mental toughness while keeping a positive attitude.
Cole Ikkala '14 raises the trophy in Messa Rink during a recent celebration for the 2014 championship team.
Cole Ikkala ‘14, assistant captain
Major: Managerial Economics
Currently: Vice President of Strategic Capital at Paragon Biosciences in Chicago, a global life science leader that creates, builds and funds innovative biology-based companies.
What is one memory you have from the national championship win?
All of the seniors - me, Mat Bodie, Dan Carr, Kevin Sullivan, Matt Hatch - on the ice together during the final minute (I was playing defense with Bodie) of the game and to start the celebration!
How did Union prepare you for your current career?
It was a few things: (1) Union's liberal arts curriculum and exposure to a broad range of fields (2) my frequent interactions with Bob Soules (then director of the Career Center), who helped educate me on, prepare me for, and connect me (through alumni) to many different potential career paths. I was a managerial economics major on the pre-health track, so I am fortunate that I have been able to apply both to my career in the biotech industry over the past 10 years.
Matt Krug '17 (right)
Matthew Krug ’17
Major: Managerial Economics
Currently: Police officer in Buffalo, N.Y., located in the Charlie District
What is one special memory you have from the national championship win?
It was just special being able to share the experience with my teammates that year. I will cherish those moments for the rest of my life.
How did Union prepare you for your current career?
Union helped me prepare for my current role by teaching me to work together in a team environment. These skills ensure I can do my job to the best of my ability with the help of other officers, while I also help them.
David Roy '16
Major: Neuroscience
Currently: Student at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans; Roy also received a master's in health science from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.
What is one special memory you have from the national championship win? Getting back from Philadelphia and seeing how excited all the Union College students and people of Schenectady were.
How did Union prepare you for your current career? It taught me how to deal with adversity, how to balance many tasks at once, and how to put a large group of individuals together to make a successful team.