UNH Hockey Off Season Thread 2026

[Potluck]

Pretty sure brother in law, who is black, would say other.

LOL. "I know a black person. That means I'm not a racist" How very 1970s of you.

Your dishonesty and self serving pablum is nauseating. You are ignorant. Nothing more. You harass college hockey players and coaches. A few genuinely think you are demented. You defend weirdo racists like Buford.

Nice life.

 

[HockeyRef]

Y

So when you say some of the core that must mean some will be leaving. any insights on this?

Yeah do tell...

 

[Robert Balin]

LOL. "I know a black person. That means I'm not a racist" How very 1970s of you.

Your dishonesty and self serving pablum is nauseating. You are ignorant. Nothing more. You harass college hockey players and coaches. A few genuinely think you are demented. You defend weirdo racists like Buford.

Nice life.

Who are the few that thinks he's demented and racist?. He's not one time said anything to make me think that and your absurd claims are mind boggling.The way racist is thrown around these days it really doesn't mean jack shit anymore.

 

[FlagUp17]

Read earlier today that Mercyhurst is cutting their D1 mens program. This is the second program to leave D1 in as many years, but at least AIC moved down to Divison II. It seems Mercyhurst is cutting their program altogether.

Gonna be a lot of Mercyhurst guys hitting the portal. I know they didn’t have a great year, but you gotta feel for those athletes… a tough situation to say the least.

Makes you wonder what will happen to more of these programs “on the financial cusp” now in today’s day and age of the portal/NIL. The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer it seems…

Also I wonder what will happen to Atlantic Hockey. With Mercyhurst leaving, they are down to 9 teams in their conference. Could we see a merger of some sorts coming up?

BREAKING: Mercyhurst University Discontinues Men's Hockey Program

Mercyhurst cuts division one men's hockey after 25 years. Players and coaches face uncertain futures following this sudden discontinuation.

thehockeynews.com

 

[Potluck]

Read earlier today that Mercyhurst is cutting their D1 mens program as part of “a strategic academic program adjustment”. This is the second program to leave D1 in as many years, but at least AIC moved down to Divison II. It seems Mercyhurst is cutting their program altogether.

Gonna be a lot of Mercyhurst guys hitting the portal. I know they didn’t have a great year, but you gotta feel for those athletes… a tough situation to say the least.

Makes you wonder what will happen to more of these programs “on the financial cusp” now in today’s day and age of the portal/NIL. The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer it seems…

Also I wonder what will happen to Atlantic Hockey. With Mercyhurst leaving, they are down to 9 teams in their conference. Could we see a merger of some sorts coming up?

BREAKING: Mercyhurst University Discontinues Men's Hockey Program

Mercyhurst cuts division one men's hockey after 25 years. Players and coaches face uncertain futures following this sudden discontinuation.

thehockeynews.com

The environment of all but the most competitive private colleges is likely only going to get worse. Publics are safe because they are the obligation of the taxpayers.

The number of kids attending colleges is heading downward and likely will continue in that direction for the next few decades. A powerful combo of reduced enrollment, challenging youth population trends, AI, college debt and the political environment that, sometimes with good reason, challenges the merit of certain type of college degrees, will challenge some other D1 programs.

 

[Darius]

While suspecting I understand the somewhat well intentioned sentiment, meaning and intent, some of y’all should reflect on the words you actually post. Jeez.

Thanks for the recent hockey post or two. As much as I dislike the portal it does lend a hot stove aspect to the off season.

 

[Chuck Murray]

LOL. "I know a black person. That means I'm not a racist" How very 1970s of you.

Your dishonesty and self serving pablum is nauseating. You are ignorant. Nothing more. You harass college hockey players and coaches. A few genuinely think you are demented. You defend weirdo racists like Buford.

Welcome to Team Potty. Not saying which one ... but you get the picture. Or as our hero himself might put it ... a snapshot straight from the 1970's

Team | Jory Capital

Jory Capital's strong performance is lead by a team of dynamic and seasoned leaders who are truly the best in the business.

www.jorycapital.com

How's that virtue signaling bullsh!t working out for you now, slugger????

 

[FlagUp17]

The environment of all but the most competitive private colleges is likely only going to get worse. Publics are safe because they are the obligation of the taxpayers.

The number of kids attending colleges is heading downward and likely will continue in that direction for the next few decades. A powerful combo of reduced enrollment, challenging youth population trends, AI, college debt and the political environment that, sometimes with good reason, challenges the merit of certain type of college degrees, will challenge some other D1 programs.

Just saw it seems most everyone on their team entered the portal. Im not sure if there were any standouts that UNH may be interested in? They were one of the few teams that scored less than us across DI… and we need to focus on getting goal scorers that’s for sure.

I think it caught everyone in the program by surprise. Heisenberg just listed them getting a new recruit a few days ago!

Very curious to see what happens to Atlantic Hockey moving forward. You wonder if there will be any movement from ECAC to Atlantic? The ECAC has 12 to Atlantic’s (now) 9.

Perhaps one of the independents (likely Stonehill or LIU, based on location) make the jump to conference play.

 

[RENCEB]

Read earlier today that Mercyhurst is cutting their D1 mens program. This is the second program to leave D1 in as many years, but at least AIC moved down to Divison II. It seems Mercyhurst is cutting their program altogether.

Gonna be a lot of Mercyhurst guys hitting the portal. I know they didn’t have a great year, but you gotta feel for those athletes… a tough situation to say the least.

Makes you wonder what will happen to more of these programs “on the financial cusp” now in today’s day and age of the portal/NIL. The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer it seems…

Also I wonder what will happen to Atlantic Hockey. With Mercyhurst leaving, they are down to 9 teams in their conference. Could we see a merger of some sorts coming up?

BREAKING: Mercyhurst University Discontinues Men's Hockey Program

Mercyhurst cuts division one men's hockey after 25 years. Players and coaches face uncertain futures following this sudden discontinuation.

thehockeynews.com

Stonehill and/or LIU would be logical additions to bring Atlantic Hockey to 10 or 11 members. Works well geographically.

 

[FlagUp17]

Thanks for the update, CHC!

Looks like Romeo and Tournas continue to excel, and could be difference makers (goal scoring wise) next year. One has to hope their scoring translates to college hockey.

Also, I know he is years and years away, but one has to be impressed with Caine Bickel who has tallied 150 points in 61 games (80G, 70A) for the 16U Seacoast Performance Academy. Those are video game like numbers right there! Keep it up!!!

UNH Commits Update 3-27-2026: Current Stats and Status for All 18 UNH Commits

2025-26 Stats Sheet for All 18 UNH Commits The Stats Sheet (shown below) provides a variety of information on the 18 players currently...

unhhockeyblog.blogspot.com

 

[JB]

Very curious to see what happens to Atlantic Hockey moving forward. You wonder if there will be any movement from ECAC to Atlantic? The ECAC has 12 to Atlantic’s (now) 9.

I am not sure you see the ECAC shrink unless it splits to a 6 team ivy league and a some other number of team new ECAC.

One of the advantages the 12 team ECAC has is travel. Although they cover a large area for a "bus league" they have a good setup with "travel partners" making road weekends at Clarkson and St Lawrence make sense as you play 1 game at each with your partner playing 1 game at each as well. ECAC Hockey right now structurally makes sense with a balance of ivy / non-ivy, travel partners etc.

 

[JB]

To go along with NPI vs PWR and "facts".

Watching regional games this afternoon I saw stats about the top offensive and defensive teams in the country and I started pondering UNH 98-99 with 171 goals and 467 points vs UNH 25-26 with 68 goals and 189 points. There have been comment about the game being different today. That 99 UNH squad would be the 3rd leading offense in the county this year - it was 2nd in 99 at 4.14 gpg to a UND team that scored 5.10 gpg.

It was just a thought that the change in college hockey (really all hockey) was the change from stand up goalies to butterfly goalies. Although the butterfly style really started in the 60's it didn't really get adoption until Patrick Roy in the late 80's.

 

[JB]

Also while watching WMU, I kept hearing the name Liam Valente. For those that don't remember Valente played his Freshman and Sophomore years at Providence and transferred to WMU for his Junior and Senior years. At Providence Valente played nearly every game and was getting some PP time his Sophomore year scoring 2 PPG goals. Providence was hosting quarter finals and making it to the Garden, building to the last 2 straight NCAA trips.

I got wondering if anybody knew why Valente transferred?

Providence out invests WMU in hockey (both last year and this year). Providence has upgraded Schneider arena, it has a big video board plus the critical modern locker rooms, players lounge, with in arena hockey focused strength and conditioning including a shooting room and clearly a great commitment to Hockey. Valente decide to go to an under investing team where Lawson arena was built in 1974 and hasn't really had major upgrades, no players lounge and he now needs to go 3 mile to use a weight room.