UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

[Verkligen]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

I have to think that Providence losing Krug and Bartkowski to the big club didn't help their chances.

Ditto.

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

Maine will reportedly announce it's new Head Coach early next week. If Coach Tortorella gets the job, it will be an important loss for UNH. Tortorella taught the last two UNH teams how to play team defense.

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

If Coach Tortorella leaves, Mike Bavis is available. Thoughts?

[Greg Ambrose]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

If Coach Tortorella leaves, Mike Bavis is available. Thoughts?

What does Bavis bring to the table? Yes, an assistant for Jack for several years, lead recruiter after Quinn left. With all the roster turmoil that BU has had over the past couple of years, I would wonder about Bavis's evaluation skills. Not so much that the kids he brought in can't play, but that some of them never seemed invested in the college experience. And as much as I respect Tortorella's abilities as a defensive coach, if he goes I would want someone younger, with knowledge of course, and who can bring new energy to the program. Now, maybe that is Bavis, maybe it's a UNH alum, maybe they cherry pick someone from another top D1 program. But whatever they do, they better do it fast and not bumble around like Maine has.

[C-H-C]

What does Bavis bring to the table? Yes, an assistant for Jack for several years, lead recruiter after Quinn left. With all the roster turmoil that BU has had over the past couple of years, I would wonder about Bavis's evaluation skills. Not so much that the kids he brought in can't play, but that some of them never seemed invested in the college experience. And as much as I respect Tortorella's abilities as a defensive coach, if he goes I would want someone younger, with knowledge of course, and who can bring new energy to the program. Now, maybe that is Bavis, maybe it's a UNH alum, maybe they cherry pick someone from another top D1 program. But whatever they do, they better do it fast and not bumble around like Maine has.

Assuming the replacement for Coach Tortorella would need to be a defensive specialist. Mike Ayers, NTDP goalie coach, comes to mind.

[CollegeHockeyRinkReport]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

Don't be surprised if Mark Mowers or Josh Ciocco gets the assistant job if Tortorella goes to Maine.

[New Hampshire 'Cats Fan]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

I apologize for going back into the logo discussion, but here is response from Huddleston:
http://www.unh.edu/unhedutop/unhgraphics

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

Don't be surprised if Mark Mowers or Josh Ciocco gets the assistant job if Tortorella goes to Maine.

.. begging the question of who takes over coaching the defense, with both of these guys (welcome as they both would be in my mind) not exactly having lots of hands-on experience playing and/or teaching defense? Would Borek slide down to the other end of the bench?

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

I apologize for going back into the logo discussion, but here is response from Huddleston:
http://www.unh.edu/unhedutop/unhgraphics

Be sure to scroll down.

[Greg Ambrose]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

.. begging the question of who takes over coaching the defense, with both of these guys (welcome as they both would be in my mind) not exactly having lots of hands-on experience playing and/or teaching defense? Would Borek slide down to the other end of the bench?

My guess is that Mark is going the pro route. He is a scout for the Canadiens now and having played for several organizations in North America, he has developed some contacts. Plus there are lot more opportunities for gainful and lucrative employement in the pros than there are in college. Josh (who is probably reading this) is another story. He kind of lobbied for the assistant's job after Lassonde left but for whatever reason didn't get it. BTW, I don't think you need to have played defense or goalie to have skill as a defensive coach. Particularly when you think that a big part of defensive is the reponsibilities that forwards are given.

[dover4345]

My guess is that Mark is going the pro route. He is a scout for the Canadiens now and having played for several organizations in North America, he has developed some contacts. Plus there are lot more opportunities for gainful and lucrative employement in the pros than there are in college. Josh (who is probably reading this) is another story. He kind of lobbied for the assistant's job after Lassonde left but for whatever reason didn't get it. BTW, I don't think you need to have played defense or goalie to have skill as a defensive coach. Particularly when you think that a big part of defensive is the reponsibilities that forwards are given.

You know who I'd like to see coach the defense? Umile! He knows his own team best. When Tortorella came on board last time there was a transition and we missed the tournament for the first time in ages. We have a goalie...we have a great returning group of defenders---the most promising in a long time. With Goumas, Downing, and arguably the most talented frosh since JVR in kelleher coming on board I want to see this team win and win now. I don't think it would be wise to bring in an older "teacher" type to implement new systems and take half the year understanding the players strengths...

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

You know who I'd like to see coach the defense? Umile! He knows his own team best. When Tortorella came on board last time there was a transition and we missed the tournament for the first time in ages. We have a goalie...we have a great returning group of defenders---the most promising in a long time. With Goumas, Downing, and arguably the most talented frosh since JVR in kelleher coming on board I want to see this team win and win now. I don't think it would be wise to bring in an older "teacher" type to implement new systems and take half the year understanding the players strengths...

Last night, Harry Quast tweeted from the Rangers-Bruins game that "Chara needs a free lesson from JT #sticks #angles #clears". That suggests that the current UNH defensemen have respect for Coach Tortorella's ability to teach defense.

If the returning group of defenders - which include 3 high skill guys in TvR, Pesce, and Knodel - have learned Tortorella's system for team defense and can keep it going without him, then there's no need for a defensive specialist to replace Tortorella. As you suggest, Coach Umile could make sure that the defensive play remains consistent and effective.

That would open the door for hiring a young, energetic motivator as the new assistant. Ciocco (30) would be a strong candidate. Maybe others like Patrick Foley (Northeastern, Age 32) and Mike Souza (Brown, Age 35) would be in the mix.

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

Report: Maine to offer head coach job to Yale assistant Gendron

USCHO Staff Report May 24, 2013


According to the Bangor Daily News, Dennis “Red” Gendron will be offered Maine’s head coaching job on Saturday.

Gendron was an assistant coach at Maine during the 1992-93 NCAA championship season and is currently an assistant at Yale. He was reportedly one of four finalists along with former Ohio State head coach Mark Osiecki, current New Hampshire assistant coach Jim Tortorella and Maine interim head coach Bob Corkum.

The new coach will replace Tim Whitehead, who was fired after 12 seasons at Maine with one year remaining on his contract.

Neither Gendron nor Maine athletics director Steve Abbott could be reached for comment by the News.

Gendron, 55, spent three seasons as an assistant at Maine before leaving to become an assistant with the New Jersey Devils and spent 11 seasons in the Devils’ organization. He was the head coach of the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League in 2004-2005 and then had a six-year stretch as an assistant at Massachusetts before heading to Yale two seasons ago.

[unh1982]

Report: Maine to offer head coach job to Yale assistant Gendron

USCHO Staff Report May 24, 2013


According to the Bangor Daily News, Dennis “Red” Gendron will be offered Maine’s head coaching job on Saturday.

Gendron was an assistant coach at Maine during the 1992-93 NCAA championship season and is currently an assistant at Yale. He was reportedly one of four finalists along with former Ohio State head coach Mark Osiecki, current New Hampshire assistant coach Jim Tortorella and Maine interim head coach Bob Corkum.

The new coach will replace Tim Whitehead, who was fired after 12 seasons at Maine with one year remaining on his contract.

Neither Gendron nor Maine athletics director Steve Abbott could be reached for comment by the News.

Gendron, 55, spent three seasons as an assistant at Maine before leaving to become an assistant with the New Jersey Devils and spent 11 seasons in the Devils’ organization. He was the head coach of the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League in 2004-2005 and then had a six-year stretch as an assistant at Massachusetts before heading to Yale two seasons ago.

. Few

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

Although I'm sure he's disappointed to (apparently) not have gotten the UMaine job, I'm happy Tortorella will be back at UNH next season. Judging by some of the comments over the last few days, I think some of our posters have underestimated the importance of having an experienced assistant who has proven he can teach defense at this level. I don't want to put too much emphasis on Quast's message, but to get that kind of respect from a kid who barely played says something very positive about Tortorella's teaching.

But the idea that some 20 year old kids are going to be able to "self-coach" themselves based on what Tortorella taught them over the last couple of seasons, and should pass that along to future players (all the while presumably ignoring the new/remaining coaches and their own instructions? ) is frightening, and makes zero sense. With all due respect to Coach Umile, he doesn't strike me as a guy who will have committed Tortorella's teachings to rote memory, and will pass them on as institutional knowledge of some sort.

And while I agree you don't necessarily need to have played the position to coach it effectively, I do think you will need to have established an ability to coach that position at some level approaching D-1 hockey before taking on those responsibilities at UNH. Ciocco seems to be an ambitious and earnest guy, but if he were coming to my UNH staff now, it'd be in the "Borek role" only, at least for now.

I realize it's all now very likely a moot point, but if/when Tortorella moves on in the near future - and IF Coach Umile eventually does bring in a young coach with a history in the UNH program to take his place, I'd be most interested in seeing what could be done to get the White/Souza combination back up here from Brown, or maybe Foley or even Ciocco IF Borek can handle the defense. Heck - if the University can find $100K for a crappy new logo/marketing program, why can't they add an extra coach to the staff IF it addresses a need AND begins to set things up for an eventual succession plan after Coach Umile decides to hang it up?

Only 4-and-a-half months left until the start of the season ...