UNH Hockey 2023 Off Season Thread Turn and Face the Strange

[norbert]

One more point under question 1 is more of an open essay. You spoke about what you viewed as the recruiting pitch in 2016, focusing largely on tradition and family. http://unhhockeyblog.blogspot.com/2016/08/ Has that changed, and what do you believe is important to recruits these days.

Noted. I talked with JB tonight, and he mentioned something similar in that we know there a things that don't help but how do you sell the program. What is the pitch today? Obviously tradition ends when you are the back of the bus team.

[norbert]

Looks good Norbert! Can’t believe that he will sit through this. One thought - I fear that you will get a lot of fluff and clich?, coaches are like politicians and you never get substance or a straight answer. Therefore you may want to have some follow ups to insure more substance.
Good luck.

the goal is to get real answers. it depends on how forthcoming MS7 wants to be. This could be a real good conversation or I could be tossed out in 12 minutes. Stay tuned for the recap. If it is before noon things like the season did not go swimmingly.

[norbert]

I am pretty sure this is more than I wrote for freshman English in 1995. Here is the updated talking points tomorrow.

Train leaves at 9ish for Durham, if you don't hear back from me by noon please send out the calvary.

1. 3 years as an assistant and heading into your 6th year as HC, how do you evaluate the program over this time period and is there any reflection from this that can lead to greater success moving forward
2. From a college hockey broad aspect, is HE a detriment or benefit to recruiting with realignment and expansion.
3. This is your last year, does this impact you’re recruiting and/or thought process for how to approach the season in terms of winning. And what is the goal? Are you thinking short and long term or all in?
4. The portal is something new for hockey and all of NCAA, are the losses a product of the team and its record or is it something that is now the new norm? As part of the portal, you lost Fess and have Jakob who is on paper not an ideal DI goalie. Can Tyler handle the bulk of the load moving forward? Chase being gone is some leadership lost, Damien started to come into his own the end of the year and we have added a goalie, are there more potential pull-ins or is the class coming going to fill the roster.
5. Recruiting has gone more international, more so Europe, than ever before. Is this the way of college hockey? Has the lack of success at UNH hampered the NE/Mass connection? Examples are Saviano’s and Collins that we used to get but no longer seem to get the blue collar hockey players. Has the lack of success steered top recruits away knowing player development might be lacking?
What is the UNH sales pitch? In 2016 you wanted kids to understand the tradition and playing here is an honor, does that still stand?

6. How much conversation have you had with AD Rich about the program, UNH, and the needs to make this successful? I understand money for weight room, accommodations, ect is probably at the forefront, but are there other things that Marty might have held you back on? Is she fully supportive of the process, the coaches and the program? What about UNH/Admissions, ect that are other outside influences that impact the program.


STH Engagement. While this is a chicken egg argument there are things outside of on ice that might impact the program and I am not talking the weight room. These are items I would hope he brings across the street.

1. Lack of communication. I think the disbandment of the Friends has had a bigger impact than expected. They were kicked out while things were good, now that it has gone south there is no line of communication between fans, the team, and Admin. What can be done?
2. At least to me the removal of parking from a STH benefit hours before a game is a big deal. It irritates the **** out of me from a fan experience perspective, how can there be that big of disconnect between UNH and Athletics. This had to have been a long-term discussion, so either we are being lied to that this was last-minute decision or athletics held onto this until the end. Either way, it is a bad look.
3. The pay for your tickets now also irritates me to no end. The body is still warm from the end of the season and UNH is hosting a regional tournament which we are not at and they ask for 100% of the money. the "prizes" are a joke. All you have to do is go to the post game where they sign, and you can get your picture or jersey done. How is this enticing?

[Chuck Murray]

So ... let's say one of his players or assistants has tipped off MS7, who is scrolling through these questions over coffee this a.m. ...

I am pretty sure this is more than I wrote for freshman English in 1995. Here is the updated talking points tomorrow.

Train leaves at 9ish for Durham, if you don't hear back from me by noon please send out the calvary.

1. 3 years as an assistant and heading into your 6th year as HC, how do you evaluate the program over this time period and is there any reflection from this that can lead to greater success moving forward

Norbie, as you know, with COVID and the advent of the portal, it's been a time of change and upheaval in the D-1 hockey world. We've made the necessary adjustments now. And with our new AD, we're ready to reap the benefits.

2. From a college hockey broad aspect, is HE a detriment or to recruiting with realignment and expansion.

Hockey East has always been the most competitive league in college hockey, we've always had to battle to get the best recruits, and I don't think it's any different now than when I was a player.

3. This is your last year, does this impact you’re recruiting and/or thought process for how to approach the season in terms of winning. And what is the goal? Are you thinking short and long term or all in?

(laughs) Are you my agent? I'm not sure where you're getting your info, but regardless, this year will be no different, we're always approaching recruiting as a long-term building process.

4. The portal is something new for hockey and all of NCAA, are the losses a product of the team and its record or is it something that is now the new norm? As part of the portal, you lost Fess and have Jakob who is on paper not an ideal DI goalie. Can Tyler handle the bulk of the load moving forward? Chase being gone is some leadership lost, Damien started to come into his own the end of the year and we have added a goalie, are there more potential pull-ins or is the class coming going to fill the roster.

We're all ... all D-1 coaches, "we" ... we're all still adjusting to this portal option. I'm not going to get into specific details of players coming in or leaving, it's all very player-specific from person to person. You mention the goalies though, and before you jump to conclusions about Jakob I'd only ask that you think back to what were probably low expectations for David (Fessenden). That turned out pretty good for us, no?

5. Recruiting has gone more international, more so Europe, than ever before. Is this the way of college hockey? Has the lack of success at UNH hampered the NE/Mass connection? Examples are Saviano’s and Collins that we used to get but no longer seem to get the blue collar hockey players. Has the lack of success steered top recruits away knowing player development might be lacking?

First question ... I think D-1 hockey has become a more international proposition, way past just the US and Canada now. Also, I'm not sure I agree with you on us being able to get the so-called "blue collar" kids. I was probably one of those kids when I was a player, and I think our message still resonates there. If I'm being honest, we've temporarily lost some traction with the top end kids. We're all working on that.

What is the UNH sales pitch? In 2016 you wanted kids to understand the tradition and playing here is an honor, does that still stand?

It's a great message, Norbie. I still bleed UNH Blue. So does Glenn and Ty, and we're working on Jeff (chuckle) ...

6. How much conversation have you had with AD Rich about the program, UNH, and the needs to make this successful? I understand money for weight room, accommodations, ect is probably at the forefront, but are there other things that Marty might have held you back on? Is she fully supportive of the process, the coaches and the program? What about UNH/Admissions, ect that are other outside influences that impact the program.

I don't want to get into too many specifics of private conversations with the current or prior AD. Marty was very supportive during his time in charge, and I have a strong working relationship with Alison now, too. I've always believed our AD's have been doing the best they can for us within the overall framwork of Athletics' role in the overall campus planning process. That being said, we're working to make it even better.

STH Engagement. While this is a chicken egg argument there are things outside of on ice that might impact the program and I am not talking the weight room. These are items I would hope he brings across the street.

...

1. Lack of communication. I think the disbandment of the Friends has had a bigger impact than expected. They were kicked out while things were good, now that it has gone south there is no line of communication between fans, the team, and Admin. What can be done?

Norb, I'm not sure why Friends was disbanded. My understanding is that it was a bigger NCAA-wide regulatory change, and UNH had to make adjustments. I'd love to have them back yesterday, but that's outside my remit.

2. At least to me the removal of parking from a STH benefit hours before a game is a big deal. It irritates the **** out of me from a fan experience perspective, how can there be that big of disconnect between UNH and Athletics. This had to have been a long-term discussion, so either we are being lied to that this was last-minute decision or athletics held onto this until the end. Either way, it is a bad look.

Again, I think this one is over my pay grade, Norbey. The school is growing, and our footprint isn't, so I'm guessing the demand for spaces is a continuing challenge for the school to try to strike a balance. Maybe the needs of the students on campus are trumping those of the STH's? I don't blame you for being ****ed off - heck, it's cold during Hockey season - but I think it's part of a bigger discussion.

3. The pay for your tickets now also irritates me to no end. The body is still warm from the end of the season and UNH is hosting a regional tournament which we are not at and they ask for 100% of the money. the "prizes" are a joke. All you have to do is go to the post game where they sign, and you can get your picture or jersey done. How is this enticing?

(laughs) Again, I'm not sure I'm aware of the mechanics of renewals and offers and things like that. I'm trying to coach a hockey team here, and chasing around to all corners of North America, Europe and sometimes Asia to do my job. At some point, I gotta trust other folks to do their jobs right, I can't be a 24/7/365 guy for all things AND also sell tickets and concessions, y'know? Anyway, it's been a pleasure ...

Them's my predictions for today's give-and-take, and what will probably be a lot of "nibbling around the edges" answers that don't involve a lot of blame acceptance. I'll be on the road all day today, can't wait to read the actual outcome here.

[NCAA watcher]

So ... let's say one of his players or assistants has tipped off MS7, who is scrolling through these questions over coffee this a.m. ...



Them's my predictions for today's give-and-take, and what will probably be a lot of "nibbling around the edges" answers that don't involve a lot of blame acceptance. I'll be on the road all day today, can't wait to read the actual outcome here.

Seems like pretty accurate predicted responses. Then its on Norbie how much he wants to push back and follow up on uncomfortable facts.

[norbert]

So ... let's say one of his players or assistants has tipped off MS7, who is scrolling through these questions over coffee this a.m. ...



Them's my predictions for today's give-and-take, and what will probably be a lot of "nibbling around the edges" answers that don't involve a lot of blame acceptance. I'll be on the road all day today, can't wait to read the actual outcome here.

I am hoping he is more willing to converse today but it could be a lot of coach speak. Hoping for more of a conversation than interview but time will tell. Also hoping he can validate parking for me and I can avoid the UNH Parking Regime.

[norbert]

No need for a search party. It was a really good conversation. It is hard to recap due to it being more conversational than direct questions and answers. Did learn a lot of the behind-the-scenes aspects of the daily business of running the program, where we are at comparative to other programs, and the barriers that everyone faces. He did have some slides to show other school facilities, and I was shocked at what other schools have compared to what is at the Whit.

One takeaway is that the loss of the Friends is felt and that the impact of its absence definitely was underestimated by the prior regime.

Not the exciting report that you all have been on the edge of your seats waiting for but hopefully it at least makes a difference in STH communication if the message is delivered to the offices at the field house.

[Darius]

Good stuff. Thanks! Any additional thoughts or comments, even mundane behind-the-scenes stuff is appreciated.

There is no reason a friends type organization can’t exist for hockey as it does for football. https://***********/UNHCatClub. AD Rich, Coach Santos, UNH Athletics and many more UNHers follow them on Twitter so clearly there is a good relationship with UNH Athletics. People need to step up and volunteer (hint).

edit: There are reasons such an organization can’t exist. One reason would be the inability or unwillingness of the organization to communicate and work with the Athletic department and their development staff.

[HockeyRef]

Good stuff. Thanks! Any additional thoughts or comments, even mundane behind-the-scenes stuff is appreciated.

There is no reason a friends type organization can’t exist for hockey as it does for football. https://***********/UNHCatClub. AD Rich, Coach Santos, UNH Athletics and many more UNHers follow them on Twitter so clearly there is a good relationship with UNH Athletics. People need to step up and volunteer (hint).

edit: There are reasons such an organization can’t exist. One reason would be the inability or unwillingness of the organization to communicate and work with the Athletic department and their development staff.

Are you implying in your last paragraph this is what transpired with the former FOH? Of so I think there are a few who would say it was the other way around...if not my apologies.

[HockeyRef]

No need for a search party. It was a really good conversation. It is hard to recap due to it being more conversational than direct questions and answers. Did learn a lot of the behind-the-scenes aspects of the daily business of running the program, where we are at comparative to other programs, and the barriers that everyone faces. He did have some slides to show other school facilities, and I was shocked at what other schools have compared to what is at the Whit.

One takeaway is that the loss of the Friends is felt and that the impact of its absence definitely was underestimated by the prior regime.

Not the exciting report that you all have been on the edge of your seats waiting for but hopefully it at least makes a difference in STH communication if the message is delivered to the offices at the field house.

Did you snag lifetime parking at the Alumni? Thanks for meeting and sharing some concerns.

[JB]

One takeaway is that the loss of the Friends is felt and that the impact of its absence definitely was underestimated by the prior regime.

As a former friends member that always paid for a higher level, and no doesn't give to athletics and won't until the friends are back, I am shocked, I say shocked that the change impacted the program. Please note "the prior regime" was BS35+ and MS7 ... as the Friends was still around with Souza head coach. Don't blame Umile for this one.

I am also shocked that BS35+ didn't have any clue what was going on with the fans. You would think when he killed the friends of women hockey and got all sorts of protests he would have picked up on the problem... but nope, totally disconnected... as is the current Athletics Department and Hockey Coaches were it relates to hockey.

[Scott]

Are you implying in your last paragraph this is what transpired with the former FOH? Of so I think there are a few who would say it was the other way around...if not my apologies.

+ 1

I was a member of the FOH for several years and my impressions were that they ( meaning Marty and Co.) didn't really like the FOH nor their influence with the thousands of dollars they raised each year.

[JB]

edit: There are reasons such an organization can’t exist. One reason would be the inability or unwillingness of the organization to communicate and work with the Athletic department and their development staff.

My hypothesis is a certain previous head coach essentially told the previous AD to leave his Friends of Hockey alone. A certain current head coach either didn't have the political pull or foresight to tell the AD to leave his Friends of Hockey alone. My hypothesis that it is the Athletics Department is based on how wonderful the Athletics Department has always been... I have never experienced them being a customer focused organization.

[norbert]

Did you snag lifetime parking at the Alumni? Thanks for meeting and sharing some concerns.

I did not get any perks from going... Even had to pay for parking

[HockeyRef]

+ 1

I was a member of the FOH for several years and my impressions were that they ( meaning Marty and Co.) didn't really like the FOH nor their influence with the thousands of dollars they raised each year.

Which included a full scholarship for a player..numerous items like lap top computers for the athletic trainers..new carpet for the lockerroom...feeding the team during the winter break...I could go on.

But I won't because when I outlined how disappointed I was that there was no communication from the AD that the banquet had gone away....at least we got a letter from the AD.

There are most likely two sides to this story..but if anyone wants to discount the huge impact this group had on the welfare of the team...they are sadly mistaken.

I used to have a clue about the team thanks to FOH meetings. Now I really wouldn't recognize a player if I saw them out and about.

It was a family atmosphere of support. I am appreciative of the few times a year we are able to meet players and express our support directly but it was nothing like it used to be.

Ok...rant over.