SCHENECTADY — Two years ago, Union College men's hockey coach Nate Leaman made school history by becoming the first coach to receive a multiyear contract when he signed a four-year deal.

On Monday, that contract was extended.

Leaman agreed to a two-year contract extension. Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed. The contract keeps Leaman at Union through the 2011-12 season.

"I'm just thankful to the school, to [Union] president [Dr. Stephen] Ainlay and athletic director Jim McLaughlin for the support they've given to the program," Leaman said. "I thank them for the contract extension, and I'm just looking forward to guiding the program the next four years."

Leaman, who has a 72-88-22 record, guided the Dutchmen to a fourth-place finish in ECAC Hockey last season with a 10-7-5 record, their first winning season in league play since 1996-97, when they went 11-8-3. It was the best finish ever in the program's Division I history, and the Dutchmen earned its first-ever ECACH tournament first-round bye. Union's overall record was 15-14-6. The last time the Dutchmen finished above .500 overall was also in 1996-97, when they posted a 16-13-3 mark.

During the Leaman era, the Dutchmen have had home ice in the ECACH tournament four times.

"It was a reward for last season, and for everything he does here," McLaughlin said. "He's provided great leadership for that program. I want to make sure that we do everything that we can to keep him here at Union College."