UNH Hockey Off Season Thread 2026

[Jellsville USA]

Another season tix barbq in the books! Sooo many new players most were there. Coach says this is a 'big (meaning size) team' one that will be physical. Canada well represented as well as a few 'locals' as close as Newfields.

The new lobby and other rennovations were presented with the Delta Dental CEO speaking about the impact DD would be making on the project. Kind of long winded...but whatever. They unveiled pics of the lobby and had a slide show of the new team rooms etc which look pretty cool

President of the U spoke saying she had 'big expectations ' on the team and spoke to the rennovations. There was the usual 'game show' with the veterans to round things out.
Good to see the returning players.

Oh in regard to the new AD finalists will be on campus this week (think she said 5?)

106 days to puck drop!

Appreciate the recap Ref!

 

[HockeyRef]

Good intel, Ref. Wasn't aware of Delta Dental's involvement in the project until now. Did Mr. Raffio speak, or was it someone else?

Yup the very same. Was presented a nice blue jersey. Oh and when he said something about mouth guards Fitzy turned to the group and flashed his missing front teeth

 

[TheGrouchyCat]

Good intel, Ref. Wasn't aware of Delta Dental's involvement in the project until now. Did Mr. Raffio speak, or was it someone else?

He spoke. And spoke. Then spoke some more.

 

[Chuck Murray]

He spoke. And spoke. Then spoke some more.

He's kind of an odd duck ... someone close to me has a business affiliation with him, thinks he's a good guy, but also has a tendency to ramble.

 

[HockeyRef]

He's kind of an odd duck ... someone close to me has a business affiliation with him, thinks he's a good guy, but also has a tendency to ramble.

Kind of reminded me of Dean Kamen I've seen him speak at US First Robotic events I attended when Mr. HR was coaching a team
Breaking news UNH superstar forward Jason Krog named Asst Coach for the Canucks.
Or is this old breaking news?

 

[lindah]

Kind of reminded me of Dean Kamen I've seen him speak at US First Robotic events I attended when Mr. HR was coaching a team
Breaking news UNH superstar forward Jason Krog named Asst Coach for the Canucks.
Or is this old breaking news?

Announced yesterday. A promotion for him as he was previously strength and conditioning coach.

 

[HockeyRef]

Announced yesterday. A promotion for him as he was previously strength and conditioning coach.

Yes just read his new job will be a skills/skating coach

 

[Chuck Murray]

Jeezus ... Kroggie has got to be 50+ years old now ... how the F did that happen, him passing me in age lol

Good for him, genuinely excited for this news. Good kid, hard worker during his time at UNH, made a decent NHL career, now back in the NHL, close to home.

 

[HockeyRef]

So...who is our starting goalie?

 

[FlagUp17]

So...who is our starting goalie?

my guess is the initial advantage is given to Simpson, given his professional experience and (albeit limited) experience playing for a superior DI team. I do hope that there is a bit more of a rotation than what we have seen in past years, where it is almost 90:10 one guy over the other…

 

[Felger]

Jeezus ... Kroggie has got to be 50+ years old now ... how the F did that happen, him passing me in age lol

Good for him, genuinely excited for this news. Good kid, hard worker during his time at UNH, made a decent NHL career, now back in the NHL, close to home.

Been close to home for a while. He served as the skating and skills coach for Vancouver and its affiliate for two seasons before the recent promotion. Prior to that he was the Director of Hockey Ops at Simon Fraser.

 

[Jellsville USA]

It appears as though our roster is set. 3rd goalie in place of Tournas.....

​

Hey Cin-

You got any intel on Niko Tournas. He is not listed on the UNH 26/27 webpage roster and appears to be on Moncton's preseason roster.

can confirm plan is to spend his OA season w Moncton

 

[2013hockeyfan]

Yup the very same. Was presented a nice blue jersey. Oh and when he said something about mouth guards Fitzy turned to the group and flashed his missing front teeth

Thanks for the readout on the bbq ref. Was it mentioned the contribution level from DD/Raffio?

 

[Chuck Murray]

Thanks for the readout on the bbq ref. Was it mentioned the contribution level from DD/Raffio?

While on the topic of prominent UNH Hockey donors ... TDL just secured the much sought after CD1 endorsement from 45-47 today. His GOP primary competitor is a fellow Effingwoods-ian (LOL) and she probably had a terrible, super awful day with that news, since she was hoping she'd get that nod.

Back to your regular intermittent offseason programming ...

 

[HockeyRef]

Thanks for the readout on the bbq ref. Was it mentioned the contribution level from DD/Raffio?

No I do not think so...but judging by the appreciative remarks (President...MS7 et al) I'd say it was adequate. That said I wish they had talked about the other stuff but when you have the CEO of the donor...Imagine it would be easy to find out.

 

[Jellsville USA]

UNH Athletics, Northeast Delta Dental Announce Long-Term Agreement Highlighted by Delta Dental Lobby at Whittemore Center - University of New Hampshire Athletics

DURHAM, N.H. – University of New Hampshire Athletics and Northeast Delta Dental have announced a new 10-year partnership highlighted by the naming and transf...

unhwildcats.com

 

[JB]

the Delta Dental Lobby at the Whittemore Center at Key Auto Group Complex



I know donors are needed, and I know they need something for their marketing dollars to be tax deductible but at a certain point.

Come to our Hop & Grind tasting event on the Three Chimney's table in the Delta Dental Lobby at the Whittemore Center at Key Auto Group Complex