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UNH Hockey Off Season Thread 2026

Today's article contains a nugget that really jumps out, and is what most of us were saying. The issue is not a lack of institutional support. It is how that support was wasted on infrastructural excuses. UNH has been chasing the last excuse, not the actual issues. Scoreboard, then shrink the rink, and now, apparently, locker room renovations.

New Hampshire has some, but is not yet nearly at that level. Anything it has would basically be COA or Alston money. Many of its recent donations have gone to renovating their arena. It is trying to shift that now to for direct aid to players. It is not alone in this strategy. Merrimack is essentially in "do what you can" mode. Many of its increased benefits will be rounding up random dollars to retain top players.

"Our school has a lot to offer, we're doing a $20 million renovation to our rink," UNH coach Mike Souza said. "There's still traditional things to sell. But there was a time you could offer a full scholarship and it came down to recruiting. Now, a full scholarship as a standalone, isn't often enough to get a kid over the finish line."
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www.collegehockeynews.com

CHN Special Report: Part 2 ... The Money Trail

In Part 1 of our Special Report, we looked at how the unlimited transfers and new money have changed the landscape; and how the pressure to keep up, and lack of guardrails, have led to tampering allegations...
www.collegehockeynews.com www.collegehockeynews.com

Relying on a better "Taj Mahal" to overcome a lack of coaching credibility has always been the wrong mindset. The nostalgia for the good old pre-NLI days of just out recruiting everyone is quaint, when viewed against Souza's 2015-2025 results.
 
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NCAA watcher said:
Today's article contains a nugget that really jumps out, and is what most of us were saying. The issue is not a lack of institutional support. It is how that support was wasted on infrastructural excuses. UNH has been chasing the last excuse, not the actual issues. Scoreboard, then shrink the rink, and now, apparently, locker room renovations.



www.collegehockeynews.com

CHN Special Report: Part 2 ... The Money Trail

In Part 1 of our Special Report, we looked at how the unlimited transfers and new money have changed the landscape; and how the pressure to keep up, and lack of guardrails, have led to tampering allegations...
www.collegehockeynews.com www.collegehockeynews.com
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Souza was very eager to speak to Wodon for this series it seems. Another media blitz ahead of contract negotiations.
 
Jellsville USA said:
Just for the record, Oliver only averaged 14 minutes of ice time per game in a defense first minded offense. He averaged less than 1.5 shots per game. Tough to score under those circumstances. Coaching may have had something to do with not maximizing his full potential (i.e. MacPherson).
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Possibly at least partly true. Though, I saw him pass up plenty of opportunities and if you look at his playing time early in the season, he played over 20 minutes in 2 of the first 3 games. His ice time went down because he didn't perform. I know, small sample size of 20 minutes plus, but I, like HR had very high hopes for him.
 
Afterfurtherreview said:
Possibly at least partly true. Though, I saw him pass up plenty of opportunities and if you look at his playing time early in the season, he played over 20 minutes in 2 of the first 3 games. His ice time went down because he didn't perform. I know, small sample size of 20 minutes plus, but I, like HR had very high hopes for him.
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Fair enough. I had the privilege of attending the Maine scrimmage at the beginning of the year at Bowdoin college and Oliver scored a laser on what I believe was his first shot on net for UNH. It went downhill from there....
 
Re: Oliver

Its hard to put him anywhere but the fourth line based on his role and production this season. I had hopes - and still do - he could be the player who doesn't necessarily need a playmaker on his hip. That he could simply grab pucks and beat goalies with his shot, but he hasn't shown that yet...

This sort of conversation always reminds me of Dan Correale. Correale scored three goals as a freshman, four as a sophmore and four more as a junior. He then struck for 16 his senior season. Anyone remember what changed for him?

UNH has a lot of similar forwards. They all have their positive skill sets, but few - if any - are truly consistent or capable in their ability to make plays and create chances for either themselves or others...

--

Conmy could create for himself. Sardarian could create for others.

They have to ID this type of player, encourage this type of play and retain this type of player. That's the path.

For all I know, Nicky Romeo (28-28--56) may be a much better player than Jesse Allecia (23-42--65) in a vacuum - but Im not convinced its a great trade off for the next few UNH rosters...
 
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Dan said:
Re: Oliver

Its hard to put him anywhere but the fourth line based on his role and production this season. I had hopes - and still do - he could be the player who doesn't necessarily need a playmaker on his hip. That he could simply grab pucks and beat goalies with his shot, but he hasn't shown that yet...

This sort of conversation always reminds me of Dan Correale. Correale scored three goals as a freshman, four as a sophmore and four more as a junior. He then struck for 16 his senior season. Anyone remember what changed for him?

UNH has a lot of similar forwards. They all have their positive skill sets, but few - if any - are truly consistent or capable in their ability to make plays and create chances for either themselves or others...
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To have a TyK...Potsy...Crookshank...too much to ask?? Sigh..
Answering your above q about what changed for Dan he played on a line with TyK and Andrew his Senior year?
 
NCAA watcher said:
Today's article contains a nugget that really jumps out, and is what most of us were saying. The issue is not a lack of institutional support. It is how that support was wasted on infrastructural excuses. UNH has been chasing the last excuse, not the actual issues. Scoreboard, then shrink the rink, and now, apparently, locker room renovations.
Click to expand...

Amen.

I've argued against the 'importance' of facilities for years, claiming the biggest factor in recruiting has always been finances. Pre-NIL, players and parents wanted to know how small their cost of attendance would be, and that would very often be the deciding factor. Now - with NIL and school opt-ins - it's what do I get on top of a full scholarship?

As I said in response to Mike McMahon's third coach argument. I think its pretty easy to make the case UNH would be better off if they took the Key Auto Group donation and used it to hire a third coach, additional support staff and fund NIL/Revenue sharing...
 
2013hockeyfan said:
This tweet. Very early in the year but, as we all know, scoring only got worse for the team.

EDIT: Update from March. They finished last.
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THANK YOU... I looked that guy up and he does the type of analysis I like... rmshockey.substack.com

Example: "This scoring surge is the direct result of a deliberate tactical shift. While Denver spent six months during the regular season as a “possession engine”—averaging 14:20 of offensive zone time per game—they successfully pivoted in the postseason, reducing that mark to 10:27 in the Regional round. This 27% decrease in possession is the hallmark of a David Carle-coached team in March and April, consistent with a disciplined commitment to shortening the game and prioritizing a suffocating defensive structure."
 
NCAA watcher said:
The issue is not a lack of institutional support. It is how that support was wasted on infrastructural excuses.
Click to expand...
Private donations are not institutional support. Souza refers to donations being the basis for the new renovations, although in truth there's state money included.

NCAA watcher said:
Relying on a better "Taj Mahal" to overcome a lack of coaching credibility has always been the wrong mindset.
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It's not an either/or analysis. Both are necessary.

www.si.com

MSU Praised for Porter Martone's Key Development

Martone definitely got stronger during his time at Michigan State.
www.si.com www.si.com

Daniel Briere, GM of the Philadelphia Flyers was ecstatic (I'm serious) at the weight training that Porter Martone received at Michigan State. From Sports Illustrated:


What is really standing out to Briere and Philadelphia is the work Martone has done off the ice. Players commonly praise the work of director of athletic performance Will Morlock. It seems he and Martone did plenty together.

"I think physically, the way that he's developed physically," Briere said when asked where he's seen Martone grow the most since drafting him. "That was the biggest reason for encouraging the move to the NCAA this season, to have a kind of a stepping stone from the [Ontario Hockey League] to the NHL, developing his body, getting stronger."
"I think the amount of time he's spent in the gym, you can see in his body how it's changed. It's almost like going from a teenager to a man, and his play on the ice spoke for itself. You guys have all seen what he's done and how dominant he was."
 
Robert Balin said:
I think Oliver is a skilled player with a heavy shot, his style just might not be a fit for UNH.Take Stiven Sardarian, goes to Michigan tech and scores 79 points in 72 games, CCHA forward of the year and more than likely 1st team All American.
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Is this on the player for not adjusting, the recruiter for not getting the right "groceries" or the coach for not having or tweaking the system that can utilize the player?

I lean coach and can be convinced otherwise. My thinking is when you are climbing and spot talent you can get in an area you are weak, you need to put that talent in a position to help the team (aka beggars can't be choosers)
 
NHL scouts and GMs increasingly believe the NCAA route is better than CHL for prospect development. The two games per weekend NCAA approach allows a prospect a lot of time to work with nutritionists and trainers to improve their body in preparation for an NHL career. The OHL features more games, more travel, mediocre nutrition and uncertain and inconsistent training.

Back of the arena facilities have never been more important to recruiting. That's precisely what UNH has lacked.

Successful programs offer recruits first rate facilities with highly qualified training staff in addition to money.
 
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JB said:
Is this on the player for not adjusting, the recruiter for not getting the right "groceries" or the coach for not having or tweaking the system that can utilize the player?

I lean coach and can be convinced otherwise. My thinking is when you are climbing and spot talent you can get in an area you are weak, you need to put that talent in a position to help the team (aka beggars can't be choosers)
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Well he (Oliver) skated top line for awhile then was dropped down. Im not a stats person but wonder if that helped out lines he skated on? Guess you could surmise some of that by looking at his assists? Hmmm
Ps this hockey talk is so refreshing! 👏 👏 👏
 
JB said:
One of the comments from McCloskey, I think to the FoH years ago. There is something about UNH and even UMaine that feels like British Colombia. So even thought it is so far away, many of the players got on campus and felt comfortable and that was on the list of reason to pick these schools. Example UND does not feel like British Colombia. It is also why some players don't want to play for NU, BU, BC they don't want the city. Wonder if this is at play too, Henniker has always felt comfortable.
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Sharing a quick story on this ... a decade or so, coaching a different sport at a lower level, I would bring teams to NEC's campus as part of an early season statewide Cup competition as part of our preseason routine. The field was state of the art at the time, and was able to host games in March, where many others were not playable for almost another full month. Fast forward a couple of years later, and a half-dozen of the 20 or so kids on or near the active roster all applied to attend NEC. That's more than just a coincidence. "Henniker has always felt comfortable" pretty much nails it squarely on the head, JB. (y)
 
I had to double check, but UNH does, in fact, have both a weight room and a strength coach. Good news for CHLers who want to get stronger!

I am not a scientist, so I cannot confirm or deny whether 45 lbs plates weigh the same in the rink adjacent basement of Munn Ice Arena vs. the bowels of an across the street Field House.
 
Dan said:
I had to double check, but UNH does, in fact, have both a weight room and a strength coach. Good news for CHLers who want to get stronger!

I am not a scientist, so I cannot confirm or deny whether 45 lbs plates weigh the same in the rink adjacent basement of Munn Ice Arena vs. the bowels of an across the street Field House.
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You really don't know the modern college hockey environment. Oh, well. No surprise that you're not informed. Just do a little bit of asking around. Agents are running the show and they know what questions to ask. Salesmanship and the tony robbins garbage means zero these days - unless it's for the lower end recruits, who have no choice but to listen. The high end recruits expect excellence, not rah rah nonsense.

The Norman Dale days are over, Dan.
 
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