Getting to know Union legend Steve Baker

Baker won 20 games with the Rangers

Steve Baker is probably the most famous in the history of Union College hockey. Why? Because he is the first player from Union to make it to the NHL where he played for the New York Rangers from 1979 to 1983. He is also the only Union alumni to have more than "a cup of coffee" in the pros. The others are Mario Giallonardo '76 (23 games with Colorado Rockies 1979-1981) and Duane Joyce '85 (three games with Dallas Stars.

Baker is also important in Union hockey history because he was the goalie during the Ned Harkness fiasco when he was forced to resign. Baker, along with his teammate, refused to play when Harkness was forced out. Union's JV team had to finish out the varsity team's schedule.

Recently, Mark Malinowski of the The Hockey News interviewed Baker. While he does not mention his time at Union, it's still a pretty interesting story. You can read it here.