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UNH 2025 Offseason: Where in the World is MS7?

Robert Balin said:
2026 UNH recruit Nico Tournas wil now be playing for the Moncton Wildcats in the QMJHL for the 25-26 season. He was slated to play in the USHL as he was the 12th pick overall. Things look a lot better recruiting wise than the bleak outlook a few years ago but let's see the results on the ice the next few years.
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Could not agree more.

I do wonder, tho, how any CHL recruiting will happen in the 2026-27 class, given the "commitments" we see on Mike Lowry's blog site. Makes me think the foray into the CHL for the 2025-26 class was border-line serendipitous good luck; forced by the outsized 2024-25 graduating/eligibility-lost class, along of course with the portal defection of Conmy. So yeah, go-nuts in the Canadian player pool!!

In the 2026-27 class, excluding goalies, there are presently 4 seniors and a grad (Cronin), so 5 "known vacancies". According to Mike’s blog, there are 8 incoming skaters. Not sure how that math works but looks like a log-jam to me; no CHL slots.

But in the following year, the current junior class has 7 skaters who will be seniors and theoretically graduate in May 2027. According to Mike’s blog, there are 4 incoming skaters in the queue right now for 2027-28. And not seeing any new "domestic" kids being added, gotta believe these will again be CHL slots of overage players. Or, possibly, players slated for 2026-27 that get deferred...

So given that the locker room is full for the fall of 2026, it begs the question...how can UNH possibly take a year-off from CHL recruiting to accommodate the now "obsolete" recruiting queue? That is, if the program is going to keep its word to those in the queue for the fall of 2026 (and to a lesser degree 2027) (I wouldn't - other programs won't...), the transition to recruiting flexibiity starts partially with the 2027-28 freshman class (4 skater commitments to-date), and fully with the 2028-29 class. That's the good news...

Quick thought on Cormier, Michaud and Serserchi. They are all 09's and will be 19 y.o. in 2028. I seriously doubt we see them until later; they are the farm system for 2030 +/-.

Anyway, just some late morning UNH hockey mental gymnastics before a nice G&T on the front porch - not ready to bail on summer just yet!!
 
bakchk20 said:
Could not agree more.

I do wonder, tho, how any CHL recruiting will happen in the 2026-27 class, given the "commitments" we see on Mike Lowry's blog site. Makes me think the foray into the CHL for the 2025-26 class was border-line serendipitous good luck; forced by the outsized 2024-25 graduating/eligibility-lost class, along of course with the portal defection of Conmy. So yeah, go-nuts in the Canadian player pool!!

In the 2026-27 class, excluding goalies, there are presently 4 seniors and a grad (Cronin), so 5 "known vacancies". According to Mike’s blog, there are 8 incoming skaters. Not sure how that math works but looks like a log-jam to me; no CHL slots.

But in the following year, the current junior class has 7 skaters who will be seniors and theoretically graduate in May 2027. According to Mike’s blog, there are 4 incoming skaters in the queue right now for 2027-28. And not seeing any new "domestic" kids being added, gotta believe these will again be CHL slots of overage players. Or, possibly, players slated for 2026-27 that get deferred...

So given that the locker room is full for the fall of 2026, it begs the question...how can UNH possibly take a year-off from CHL recruiting to accommodate the now "obsolete" recruiting queue? That is, if the program is going to keep its word to those in the queue for the fall of 2026 (and to a lesser degree 2027) (I wouldn't - other programs won't...), the transition to recruiting flexibiity starts partially with the 2027-28 freshman class (4 skater commitments to-date), and fully with the 2028-29 class. That's the good news...

Quick thought on Cormier, Michaud and Serserchi. They are all 09's and will be 19 y.o. in 2028. I seriously doubt we see them until later; they are the farm system for 2030 +/-.

Anyway, just some late morning UNH hockey mental gymnastics before a nice G&T on the front porch - not ready to bail on summer just yet!!
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Seems to me like a very good problem to have if this group coming in is true to their pedigree and stay committed to the program. This year might very well mark the turnaround that most on this board, including myself, never thought would happen under MS7.
 
I'd previously mentioned there being a one year "window", more for outside factors and the implications of the current HC's expiring deal, than for no having capacity due to prior commitments etc. But it's all pointing to this season as a "make or break" one for MS7, and if he does get some traction this season, look for Souza to be very focused on building on any perceived momentum (unlike what he did/didn't do last season). Even If that means decommitting some, and Babbage-ing others out.
 
Souza will be the coach at UNH for the next 7-10 years - minimum. The CHL change and the funding of the renovation may revitalize UNH. Perhaps the haters should sit back and be willing to reconsider Souza in this new hockey environment.

Souza seems to be revitalized. The recent recruiting news suggests UNH is really pushing to take full advantage. The next 3-5 years of college hockey will be the most interesting in history.

NIL, new transfer rules in addition to the availability of CHL players adds a dimension that even college hoop and football are not experiencing. All that’s left is to get Punxsutawney Mike Souza to come out of his hole to speak to us and we’ll all believe.

Btw, I’m not saying Souza should be the coach. He’s fortunate the rules have changed. I just think some improve at their jobs and are able to take advantage of new opportunities.
 
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Potluck said:
Souza will be the coach at UNH for the next 7-10 years - minimum. The CHL change and the funding of the renovation may revitalize UNH. Perhaps the haters should sit back and be willing to reconsider Souza in this new hockey environment.

Souza seems to be revitalized. The recent recruiting news suggests UNH is really pushing to take full advantage. The next 3-5 years of college hockey will be the most interesting in history.

NIL, new transfer rules in addition to the availability of CHL players adds a dimension that even college hoop and football are not experiencing. All that’s left is to get Punxsutawney Mike Souza to come out of his hole to speak to us and we’ll all believe.

Btw, I’m not saying Souza should be the coach. He’s fortunate the rules have changed. I just think some improve at their jobs and are able to take advantage of new opportunities.
Click to expand...
What shows a revitalized Souza? Same story at the BBQ? His openness with fans and STH this summer?

He will be the coach because mediocrity has been accepted by this administration and unwillingness to spend.

NIL isn’t going to help but only hurt. UNH doesn’t have $225k to offer one guy. Lost Conmy for $50k to BC?
 
norbert said:
What shows a revitalized Souza? Same story at the BBQ? His openness with fans and STH this summer?

He will be the coach because mediocrity has been accepted by this administration and unwillingness to spend.

NIL isn’t going to help but only hurt. UNH doesn’t have $225k to offer one guy. Lost Conmy for $50k to BC?
Click to expand...
Where did you hear that BC is paying Conmy $50k?
 
Potluck said:
Where did you hear that BC is paying Conmy $50k?
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So your response is a question and no response to the other questions? I won't bother with the rest because you will just go on your soapbox.

You think a reinvigorated coach and new locker room will compete with the $700K McKenna is getting from Penn State?
 
norbert said:
What shows a revitalized Souza? Same story at the BBQ? His openness with fans and STH this summer?

He will be the coach because mediocrity has been accepted by this administration and unwillingness to spend.

NIL isn’t going to help but only hurt. UNH doesn’t have $225k to offer one guy. Lost Conmy for $50k to BC?
Click to expand...
I will be surprised if Conmy is successful at BC. Maybe he is a good kid but he was far from connected to his teammates, if you watched from the sidelines.
 
norbert said:
So your response is a question and no response to the other questions? I won't bother with the rest because you will just go on your soapbox.

You think a reinvigorated coach and new locker room will compete with the $700K McKenna is getting from Penn State?
Click to expand...
Seems revitalized means an improvement in recruiting. Not sure what would mean by bbq? I know Souza was there.

So you agree that money matters? Many on here don’t think money is very important. I recall the posters claiming that you can't solve problems by "throwing money" at them.
 
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Chuck Murray said:
I'd previously mentioned there being a one year "window", more for outside factors and the implications of the current HC's expiring deal, than for no having capacity due to prior commitments etc. But it's all pointing to this season as a "make or break" one for MS7, and if he does get some traction this season, look for Souza to be very focused on building on any perceived momentum (unlike what he did/didn't do last season). Even If that means decommitting some, and Babbage-ing others out.
Click to expand...
In whose mind?
 
Robert Balin said:
Freshman Connor MacPherson will play for Nanaimo in the BCHL next season. And he will return for the 2026-2027 season, Per UNH Hockey Blog. This could possibly free up some $$ for another Dman?
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update on this one: Connor MacPherson has signed with Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. Good sign they're high on him if they're planning to use an overage spot on him. Halifax was rebuilding last year (despite accidentally making it to the 2nd round in the playoffs) so they had OA spots open.
 
Potluck said:
Seems revitalized means an improvement in recruiting. Not sure what would mean by bbq? I know Souza was there.

So you agree that money matters? Many on here don’t think money is very important. I recall the posters claiming that you can't solve problems by "throwing money" at them.
Click to expand...
No moron I’m asking why you think MS7 is revitalized. Money used to be renovated arenas now it’s cash. Whatever monry they have for a new weight room is now years behind in NIL money.
 
Potluck said:
Norbert: You need to divulge your source for your claim that Comny is being paid $50k to go to BC. Oh, and don't pull one of Buford's "secret source" claims. No rationale person takes Buford seriously anymore.
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Let’s go with this. You tell us how you are connected to MS7 or who you are and love up sources.
 
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