Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity
A few points for Watcher’s post…
1) I agree that any progress for this team and the program are not measured in present day results. The team needs to take steps forward off the ice to see any tangible improvement on the ice. Recruiting remains the most important factor by far…
2) And while, I don’t begrudge anyone from being hopeful or optimistic I think it needs to be acknowledged that when we discuss what needs to change for UNH moving forward – primarily recruiting, but also development we have to recognize that Souza has been here for three years DIRECTLY in charge of recruiting and heavily involved in player development. I’m not sure why we continue to look for landmarks for when change can begin. The Souza era began three years ago. He has been responsible for ALL recruiting decisions. He has been the coach tasked with coaching offensive systems and development. That said…
3) Why do we expect things to change in that regard? The systems look the same. The talking points are the same. He talked a lot about speed, transition and playing an up-tempo and attacking style. UNH may not have exhibited those traits the last few years – but it has been the team’s preferred ‘style’ since Umile took over the program in the early ‘90’s. They’ve tried to play that way all these years. It simply hasn’t worked because they haven’t been good enough. I think this is fair to be discussed – though I think it is irrelevant to the bigger issue of recruiting.
And why would we expect UNH’s recruiting strategy of the last three years to change? Souza has been in charge the entire time. The results have been average at best – with slow pacing, a lack of aggression and an over-reliance on the just-in-time commitment. That was supposed to change when Souza became the head coach (there was a narrative with some that Umile was holding him back) – but it hasn’t. Since the end of last season they desperately grabbed a few more FR to save this incoming class. Otherwise, they have added a mere TWO commitments – a pair of average forwards. Then it was the new assistant who was supposed to change things up. Yet, since Giuliano’s hire they have committed zero new players.
Additionally, I don’t buy the idea that Giuliano was hired to be the main recruiter. He was hired with absolutely zero recruiting experience. That was what WE all wanted to see addressed with the hire, but I don’t think that’s what was actually addressed. Additionally, I’m not sure its what Souza felt needed to be addressed. Souza made his name (debatable resume not withstanding) being a personably guy expected to excel in the recruiting arena. I think he believes he is that guy. UNH recruiting has run through him since he got here and I think that will be the case moving forward – not through Stewart or Giuliano. I don’t see him turning the new guy loose to pick up guys without Souza himself doing a lot of follow-up and making the final decisions. This is not Borek doing all the shopping for Umile. And I see no reason to think otherwise except hopefulness for change…
Souza’s three-year track-record at UNH has been slow-recruiting and desperation grabs at the last minute to fill holes. Three years is a significant trend. I don’t expect much to change. It should. But have they shown us anything that leads us to believe it will? I think they have their strategy in place. So, we are left to hope they get better and more consistent results moving forward…
4) In this day and age, I don’t think you need to wait 10 games for FR to impact the scoresheet in college hockey if they’re given the opportunity. For comparison, take a look at three other programs that will be relying heavily on FR this year – CC, DU and UMass. Through two games, UMass has 3-5--8 from its FR class. CC (4 games) and DU (2) both have 10 points from their first-year players, as well as four and three goals, respectively. Maine's top FR put up a three-point weekend. UConn had two freshman put up two-point games in their opener to lead their team. UNH got 1-0—1 in 11 man-games, and with many playing major roles, from its entire freshmen last weekend. As much as I like this year's UNH class - these numbers are telling...
5) I’m not sure I needed last weekend – or even ten games – to know what this class was. A group of solid to above average players bolstered by three just-in-time commits (Taylor, Engaras, MacKinnon) and an accelerated Pierson that likely needs a year or two. They’ll get better. They’ll be a good class – potentially a good goalie, a two-way forward, two 100 point scorers and a steady defenseman. But they’re really have to be measured by how they stack up to other HE classes not recent UNH classes. And in that regard will they be the class that puts UNH back on track to HE success? Not without further recruiting classes stacked up behind them of equal quality PLUS a few truly dynamic talents along the lines of a TK/AP. And they wont get there shopping in the left-over bin…
6) While the major sign-posts for whether or not things will turn around under Souza may be off the ice – it is crucial, in my opinion, that UNH shows some forward momentum on the ice. You don't recruit in a vacuum and you certainly make your job MUCH more difficult when you're not competitive. If you want to venture into the young or competitive older recruiting bins, than you need to show some tangible improvement after the last three years. There are plenty of upperclass pieces playing in the top-six and top-four, as well. They should have developed by now to the point that UNH should not have been completely shutout of the scoring areas five-on-five last weekend. The junior class (BVR, Sacco, Wyse, Blackburn, Fregona and Grasso) was a highly regarded offensive group - they posted 1 point on the weekend. They don't have the adjustment excuse. This team SHOULD BE a lot better offensively than what they showed last weekend. There are enough pieces. That's an on-ice reflection that needs to change...
Its just one weekend, and I wont judge the team, the coaches or the freshmen based on that - but I can't dismiss it either. Impressionable recruits are forming opinions every weekend. Things need to get better right away for the current season and the future...
A few points for Watcher’s post…
1) I agree that any progress for this team and the program are not measured in present day results. The team needs to take steps forward off the ice to see any tangible improvement on the ice. Recruiting remains the most important factor by far…
2) And while, I don’t begrudge anyone from being hopeful or optimistic I think it needs to be acknowledged that when we discuss what needs to change for UNH moving forward – primarily recruiting, but also development we have to recognize that Souza has been here for three years DIRECTLY in charge of recruiting and heavily involved in player development. I’m not sure why we continue to look for landmarks for when change can begin. The Souza era began three years ago. He has been responsible for ALL recruiting decisions. He has been the coach tasked with coaching offensive systems and development. That said…
3) Why do we expect things to change in that regard? The systems look the same. The talking points are the same. He talked a lot about speed, transition and playing an up-tempo and attacking style. UNH may not have exhibited those traits the last few years – but it has been the team’s preferred ‘style’ since Umile took over the program in the early ‘90’s. They’ve tried to play that way all these years. It simply hasn’t worked because they haven’t been good enough. I think this is fair to be discussed – though I think it is irrelevant to the bigger issue of recruiting.
And why would we expect UNH’s recruiting strategy of the last three years to change? Souza has been in charge the entire time. The results have been average at best – with slow pacing, a lack of aggression and an over-reliance on the just-in-time commitment. That was supposed to change when Souza became the head coach (there was a narrative with some that Umile was holding him back) – but it hasn’t. Since the end of last season they desperately grabbed a few more FR to save this incoming class. Otherwise, they have added a mere TWO commitments – a pair of average forwards. Then it was the new assistant who was supposed to change things up. Yet, since Giuliano’s hire they have committed zero new players.
Additionally, I don’t buy the idea that Giuliano was hired to be the main recruiter. He was hired with absolutely zero recruiting experience. That was what WE all wanted to see addressed with the hire, but I don’t think that’s what was actually addressed. Additionally, I’m not sure its what Souza felt needed to be addressed. Souza made his name (debatable resume not withstanding) being a personably guy expected to excel in the recruiting arena. I think he believes he is that guy. UNH recruiting has run through him since he got here and I think that will be the case moving forward – not through Stewart or Giuliano. I don’t see him turning the new guy loose to pick up guys without Souza himself doing a lot of follow-up and making the final decisions. This is not Borek doing all the shopping for Umile. And I see no reason to think otherwise except hopefulness for change…
Souza’s three-year track-record at UNH has been slow-recruiting and desperation grabs at the last minute to fill holes. Three years is a significant trend. I don’t expect much to change. It should. But have they shown us anything that leads us to believe it will? I think they have their strategy in place. So, we are left to hope they get better and more consistent results moving forward…
4) In this day and age, I don’t think you need to wait 10 games for FR to impact the scoresheet in college hockey if they’re given the opportunity. For comparison, take a look at three other programs that will be relying heavily on FR this year – CC, DU and UMass. Through two games, UMass has 3-5--8 from its FR class. CC (4 games) and DU (2) both have 10 points from their first-year players, as well as four and three goals, respectively. Maine's top FR put up a three-point weekend. UConn had two freshman put up two-point games in their opener to lead their team. UNH got 1-0—1 in 11 man-games, and with many playing major roles, from its entire freshmen last weekend. As much as I like this year's UNH class - these numbers are telling...
5) I’m not sure I needed last weekend – or even ten games – to know what this class was. A group of solid to above average players bolstered by three just-in-time commits (Taylor, Engaras, MacKinnon) and an accelerated Pierson that likely needs a year or two. They’ll get better. They’ll be a good class – potentially a good goalie, a two-way forward, two 100 point scorers and a steady defenseman. But they’re really have to be measured by how they stack up to other HE classes not recent UNH classes. And in that regard will they be the class that puts UNH back on track to HE success? Not without further recruiting classes stacked up behind them of equal quality PLUS a few truly dynamic talents along the lines of a TK/AP. And they wont get there shopping in the left-over bin…
6) While the major sign-posts for whether or not things will turn around under Souza may be off the ice – it is crucial, in my opinion, that UNH shows some forward momentum on the ice. You don't recruit in a vacuum and you certainly make your job MUCH more difficult when you're not competitive. If you want to venture into the young or competitive older recruiting bins, than you need to show some tangible improvement after the last three years. There are plenty of upperclass pieces playing in the top-six and top-four, as well. They should have developed by now to the point that UNH should not have been completely shutout of the scoring areas five-on-five last weekend. The junior class (BVR, Sacco, Wyse, Blackburn, Fregona and Grasso) was a highly regarded offensive group - they posted 1 point on the weekend. They don't have the adjustment excuse. This team SHOULD BE a lot better offensively than what they showed last weekend. There are enough pieces. That's an on-ice reflection that needs to change...
Its just one weekend, and I wont judge the team, the coaches or the freshmen based on that - but I can't dismiss it either. Impressionable recruits are forming opinions every weekend. Things need to get better right away for the current season and the future...
Last edited:
I am not sure that anyone can judge the coaching ability of a coach solely on win/loss records. 
