UNH 2021 Off-Season Thread: Finally!?!

[NCAA watcher]

Maybe the UNH tech department can re-program his GPS to make it look like New England is actually Germany. This will get him out on the New England highways in search of some strudel.

You're assuming he's not looking. I'm assuming the kids are just not buying.

 

[Darius]

You're assuming he's not looking. I'm assuming the kids are just not buying.

Ouch.

 

[Chuck Murray]

You're assuming he's not looking. I'm assuming the kids are just not buying.

So either MS7 is a lazy bast!d, or he has no respect in the local junior hockey circles. Fantastic.

Plus, we have his boss, who is no doubt in his usual catatonic state, revving up for preseason.

Here is the new face of UNH Hockey ...

 

[Snively65]

So either MS7 is a lazy bast!d, or he has no respect for the local junior hockey circles. Fantastic.

Plus, we have his boss, who is no doubt in his usual catatonic state, revving up for preseason.

Here is the new face of UNH Hockey ...

JFYP. Just trying to stay involved here.

 

[Whalers]

You're assuming he's not looking. I'm assuming the kids are just not buying.

Have to assume he is just not a very good salesperson. Many on here have said that at the end of the day, it is HE who must close the deals, OR be smart enough to bring in an assistant who can.

If we saw a stellar tactician whose team was always prepared and he coached up inferior talent, it would be easier to have some optimism. These qualities would also make it easier for SOMEONE within the University to see it is time to pony up the time, effort, salesmanship, funding, kick in the @$$, etc to get the proper assistant coach and lead recruiter to handle the job at hand. OR to find a new top dog who can handle both all by himself. Unfortunately, many long-time fans, and most good recruits, are not seeing any of the above. They are voting with their wallets and not buying tickets, or using their pen to sign on at another University.

Wake up UNH! An awful lot of empty Whittemore Center seats that used to be full. Like I have said before, send this "hypothetical" scenario to the Paul Business School and see if their analysis model comes back with - "This 6 year sales trajectory looks good. No major changes needed, just tweak the font on the front of the sweaters."

 

[NCAA watcher]

With the non-COVID year, I think the pressure will be on Mike far more this year. At some point, even Marty or heaven forbid, Dean, have to expect results. I'm sure even Mike would admit that movement into the 4-8 HE spots is needed. Seven years into his being in charge of recruiting should translate into a fair enough period to evaluate his unusual hiring. At some point, "you are what your record says you are," not "I have a vision..."
Who knows, maybe they make that "leap" and break into the top 8, and its the start of a climb.

 

[Chuck Murray]

With the non-COVID year, I think the pressure will be on Mike far more this year. At some point, even Marty or heaven forbid, Dean, have to expect results. I'm sure even Mike would admit that movement into the 4-8 HE spots is needed. Seven years into his being in charge of recruiting should translate into a fair enough period to evaluate his unusual hiring. At some point, "you are what your record says you are," not "I have a vision..."
Who knows, maybe they make that "leap" and break into the top 8, and its the start of a climb.

As your signature line so ably and accurately points out ... MS7 has already cracked the top 8 twice (in 8th place), and then steadily retreated from that lofty station for the seasons that followed. At this point, it really is becoming "you are what your record says you are".

I always liked Souza as a player, he scored what was arguably UNH's biggest goal ever in the game they came closest to winning it all, and he seems like a perfectly normal and nice guy. But it's become increasingly obvious he's not cut out to be a successful head coach at the D-1 level. Leaving him in charge of more of the mediocrity he's overseen in his 7 seasons to date runs the risk of causing permanent damage to this once-proud program.

If we had an AD who packed a pair, we'd have a chance of forward action. Too bad we don't ...

 

[NCAA watcher]

As your signature line so ably and accurately points out ... MS7 has already cracked the top 8 twice (in 8th place),

2014-15 was Umile sinking the program all by himself. Souza was at U.Conn (9th place) and joined the following year. So, only one career "top 8" for Souza.

I always liked Souza as a player, he scored what was arguably UNH's biggest goal ever ,,,,,

Actually, assisted on UNH's biggest goal ever.

By Marvin Pave, Globe Staff | March 30, 1998

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Persistence paid off for University of New Hampshire captain Mark Mowers, and as a result of his shorthanded goal at 10:49 of overtime, the Wildcats knocked off top-seeded Boston University last night, 4-3, in the NCAA hockey tournament East Regional quarterfinals at Pepsi Arena.

Denied twice on third-period breakaways and a late stuff attempt in regulation, Mowers finished off a two-on-one break with Wakefield's Mike Souza and won his personal battle with BU's gallant goalie, Michel Larocque, with a wrist shot to the near side.

Souza, with teammate Jason Krog in the penalty box, knocked the puck away from BU point man Jeff Kealty and broke down the left boards with only Terriers defenseman Joe DiPenta between himself and Mowers.

"The puck was rolling and bouncing a little and I was afraid for a second I wouldn't be able to make a play. It was nerve-wracking,'' said Souza, who feathered a perfect pass to Mowers, who made no mistake in the slot.

 

[Felger]

2014-15 was Umile sinking the program all by himself. Souza was at U.Conn (9th place) and joined the following year. So, only one career "top 8" for Souza.




Actually, assisted on UNH's biggest goal ever.

I think Chuck was referring to the tying goal in the National Championship game

The irony is the Mowers goal was the last time the 98 team scored

and Souza's goal was the last time the 99 team scored

 

[Snively65]

Just bring back the Cooperalls, tie-in the schedule with the WCHA for a weekly beating and call it Mid-80's. Maybe even recruit a bunch of hungry GBL kids.

GBL kids? Those taking Gamma-Butyrolactone? I do not think that would be a good idea. Besides being illegal in the U.S., there are some serious downsides health-wise.

But, back to the Cats' greatest goal ever: I vote for Eric Boguniecki's final goal at Snively. I feel so privileged to have been 'dere for dat one

 

[Chuck Murray]

I think Chuck was referring to the tying goal in the National Championship game

The irony is the Mowers goal was the last time the 98 team scored

and Souza's goal was the last time the 99 team scored

Snives, you are dead on point today. Nailed it all. I was also there for the Bogie goal in the curtain call at Snively, which was also our eldest daughter's first UNH game (age 4). She was fast asleep by the time Bogie scored, which is a feat she would duplicate in Worcester 5 years later when she slept through Haydar's OT game-winner to avenge the Michigan '98 FF semis loss, sending the 'Cats to Anaheim and their date with destiny with UMaine.

Does anyone have the video of the Bogie goal in the '94 Farewell to Snively?

Used to be ubiquitous, now it's harder to find than our current AD's sense of purpose ...

 

[NCAA watcher]

So, as we roll into the fall and players returning to school, here are the lines as I see them. No particular first line, but decent depth. The key will be the second line RW. In theory, they could push Stevenson to the off wing to make two full lines, or Cafarelli has grown into the role. The next question are whether Cronin can step in as the 20 year old USHL top scorer, or if he needs time as the 19 year old 8 point USHL kid. But there is lots of depth at lines four and five where you can cobble together some production.
[TABLE="border: 1, cellpadding: 1"]
[TR]
[TD]Sr.Ward[/TD]
[TD]Sr.Pierson[/TD]
[TD]Sr.MacAdams[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jr.Blaisdell[/TD]
[TD]Sr.Engaras[/TD]
[TD]So.Cafarelli[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jr.Stevenson[/TD]
[TD]So.Gendron[/TD]
[TD]Fr.Cronin[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]So.Richels[/TD]
[TD]Jr.Herrmann[/TD]
[TD]Sr.Esposito[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Fr.Margel[/TD]
[TD]Fr.Devlin[/TD]
[TD]Jr.Hankinson[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Fr.Sweeney[/TD]
[TD]Sr.Cipollone[/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

I think Reid is the clear #1, and pair him with Verrier or a steady defense first kid. Eriksson can man the Powerplay, but his 5x5 play will need attention, so pair him with another big Defense first kid like Huard or Gagne would work.
[TABLE="border: 1, cellpadding: 1"]
[TR]
[TD]So.Reid[/TD]
[TD]Sr.Verrier[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jr.Eriksson[/TD]
[TD]Fr.Gagne[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Sr.MacKinnon[/TD]
[TD]So.Jensen[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Fr.Huard[/TD]
[TD]Sr.Semandel[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Sr.Hickey[/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Overall, I saw I had them for 5th or 6th with U.Conn, ahead of U.Mass. That probably needs revision, but that's their upside. On the downside, they should outpace the 9/10/11 spots for Maine, Merrimack and Vermont, but one can't say UNH is so superior to them that you don't have to worry. Apart from the talent level, UNH was very weak on the puck, and on sticking to players on D. Too many quick turnovers with open guys shooting at Robinson. As much as I hate the "win every game 0-0 mentality," that must be UNH's goal this year.

 

[Chuck Murray]

So, as we roll into the fall and players returning to school, here are the lines as I see them. No particular first line, but decent depth. The key will be the second line RW. In theory, they could push Stevenson to the off wing to make two full lines, or Cafarelli has grown into the role. The next question are whether Cronin can step in as the 20 year old USHL top scorer, or if he needs time as the 19 year old 8 point USHL kid. But there is lots of depth at lines four and five where you can cobble together some production.

Thank you very much for the insight, Coach Borek. Now, can you let 'Watcher do his own posts?

Overall, I saw I had them for 5th or 6th with U.Conn, ahead of U.Mass. That probably needs revision, but that's their upside. On the downside, they should outpace the 9/10/11 spots for Maine, Merrimack and Vermont, but one can't say UNH is so superior to them that you don't have to worry. Apart from the talent level, UNH was very weak on the puck, and on sticking to players on D. Too many quick turnovers with open guys shooting at Robinson. As much as I hate the "win every game 0-0 mentality," that must be UNH's goal this year.

UMaine will overperform this year, I can almost guarantee. I see UNH as dead-on for 9th place.

Robinson is a good - not great - D-1 goalie, and he will not be enough to keep UNH competitive.

EBTD

 

[Snively65]

Yup, five of dem projected fourth, fifth, and sixth liners who were on the team last year tallied a total of 4 goals and 8 assists for a total of 12 points. Yeah, I know, it was a COVID-shortened season. I am thinking ninth place this season, but only if Mac and UVM remain bad, bad, bad.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Yup, five of dem projected fourth, fifth, and sixth liners who were on the team last year tallied a total of 4 goals and 8 assists for a total of 12 points. Yeah, I know, it was a COVID-shortened season. I am thinking ninth place this season, but only if Mac and UVM remain bad, bad, bad.

The really scary part is, I think 9th place may be their ceiling. Does another last place finish cement the belated start of the vaunted "nationwide search" for someone to turn this ship around? Shame we didn't do that sooner, we lost out on a pretty good one to the folks up in Orono this past Spring ...

 

[NCAA watcher]

The really scary part is, I think 9th place may be their ceiling.

Eh, I think ceiling suggests best case. I could see UNH in the 6-8 group "best case."

Does another last place finish cement the belated start of the vaunted "nationwide search" for someone to turn this ship around?.

Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. There's a season to be played. After that, we can see about the future.

Speaking of the future:

Let's see tomorrow where UNH ranks in the pecking order.

Another commit for Northeastern: F Dylan Hryckowian (Buffalo Regals/Salisbury). Word is he is skilled, fast, creative, with a good stick. Brother Justin is an NU freshman F this season; Mark Divver (@MarkDivver) September 1, 2021

(odd that a recruit follows his brother to the school.)

Northeastern receives a commitment from 4 ️ forward Ben Yurchuk from the NJ_Avalanche program. Yurchuk is our 41st ranked 2005 and joins #1 ranked Will Smith

UConn men’s hockey landed their third highly-touted ‘05 prospect of the summer as defenseman Jax Wismer committed The UConn Blog (@TheUConnBlog) August 31, 2021

A big commitment for UConn hockey, Matthew Wood is expected to join the team in the fall of 2023 August 12, 2021

BC - four 05s
Bu - four 05s
UConn - three 05s
Maine - one 05
U.Mass - one 05, one first time eligible 04
Northeastern - two 05s
Providence - one 05, one first time eligible 04
Vermont - one 05

 

[Chuck Murray]

So when can we expect to see some coverage on UNH Hockey's prospects for the coming season?

We're about a month away from the start of the season, sure ain't like the good ol' days ...

 

[TV producer]

Perhaps there will be some coverage of the Athletics Department sponsored hockey golf tournament next week but more likely after he league media day.

 

[phb]

So when can we expect to see some coverage on UNH Hockey's prospects for the coming season?

We're about a month away from the start of the season, sure ain't like the good ol' days ...

I pop in once in a while just for nostalgia…..Seems like a totally alternative universe compared to the “good old days”. A shame.

 

[Darius]

Trending the wrong way for in person attendance at the Whitt. I feel like UNH Athletics' policies had gone rogue from the rest of the U and are being dialed back. If the hockey season started today masks would be required, but fans would be in the building.

Wildcat Stadium Spectator Policy:
https://unhwildcats.com/sports/2021/9/8/wildcat-stadium-mask-policies.aspx

Also: https://unhconnect.unh.edu/s/1518/20/ev/landing.aspx?sid=1518&gid=4&pgid=4531