UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

[Greg Ambrose]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Borek was fine when he was recruiting off of a couple of FF appearances that were led by McCloskey recruits. As those FF's became more distant memories, he struggled. He gets ZERO credit for recruits that never played at UNH. The only people who take Borek's side in the recruiting debate are you and Bomber - and you are BOTH good men. But you are also the two posters who are close to Borek personally. I agree 100% with Watcher's argument. The program has no legitimate reason to settle and they should be out chasing the absolute best players they can find. Period.

Its extremely troubling to hear these continued laments about the hardships UNH faces to attract anyone from people who are so connected to the coaching staff. Borek, and seemingly Souza, don't seem to think much about what UNH has to offer recruits and that's a problem...

Finally, this is the last time I'll mention this because I don't feel good when I do - but I AM a recruiting coordinator for NCAA athletics. I know how hard it can be, but I also know that if you don't believe in your school/program you're ***. You won't get anyone. And then you'll start coming up with all kinds of reasons why you can't compete - when what you really need to do is look in the mirror and adjust your attitude...

UNH can build a great roster, once the recruiters start to actively believe in UNH as a destination and start to pursue recruits aggressively with enthusiasm. It really is that simple when you boil it down...



I consider myself to be a pretty objective poster - I'll let it be known when I'm high on a player or optimistic about the upcoming season, but I'll also analyze what I see in front of me (with a lot of information to back it up). Correale had three goals as a freshman, four as a sophomore and four as a junior (despite playing most, if not all, of the season with Downing and Willows). That's 11 goals entering his senior season - where he exploded for 16 playing alongside two of the most purely, offensively gifted players in UNH history. You don't think that's a coincidence do you? In my opinion Eiserman is simply just a better player - much more talented, with better hands, more size and plenty fast - the line will be better next year because of his presence.

I hope you're right about BVR - I''m sure he'll be a good college player. He's a VR. I'm just not sure he'll be an impact player as a freshman.



There is nothing Tirone did this year that raises him above criticism. He struggled. I don't know how anyone can argue that. He gave up a ton of goals because he was out of position and a lot of shots just snuck right through him. He played well this weekend at MC - but I stand 100% by my analysis of the Warriors offensive attack. If they had been able to handle passes in front of the net or hit open corners they would have swept this series by scores of 8-2 and 9-2. They pummeled the 'N' on Tirone's chest, missed the net, fumbled pucks and quite frankly, their finishing was BRUTAL.

Tirone was 64th in goals against average and 52nd in save percentage. We're all quick to blame the defense, but he let down his blueliners just as often as they let him down this season. He may get the starting job handed to him, but he certainly doesn't deserve to have it gift-wrapped for him. He had more than a few bad games. I'd counter your 85% magnificent with at least 50% below average.

Hopefully, he comes back next season and shoves this post down my throat. But, I don't care who the goalie is - someone needs only to be league average and UNH will be in a great position. Umile should be experienced enough as a coach to not care who that goalie is. Strip the names off their backs and play the best one...

As far as the stars of the game awards - they're meaningless. At best its two SID's and a couple of reporters voting on these awards. More often than not its just the home SID. So-and-so has a couple of goals, so-and-so made X amount of saves, so-and-so is our best player and had an assist. There is little to no analysis into who actually played well or impacted the game...

Good analysis Dan. There are a couple of things that I would add is that there is still a lot of dead wood on this team. The problems that UNH has cannot be rectified in one year. And I am all for bringing in kids a year early rather than a year later, if it means we getting top end talent. Souza and Stewart have to put their stamp on the program now, not in two or three years.

 

[Greg Ambrose]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

No, we don't - at least I don't - have factual evidence, but there is certainly plenty of circumstantial evidence. First of all, when you hear the same issues being brought up over and over by posters extremely close to the recruiters it makes one wonder where they're getting these opinions. We can't recruit because of admissions, were not in Boston, we have an Olympic rink, we're not a destination school, our locker room isn't nice enough, etc. These are all superficial and insignificant arguments to the effective recruiter. Perhaps, these opinions are exclusively theirs - or their attempt to explain the recruiters lack of production - but I can't help but think they're hearing it from somewhere/someone...

Second, you just look at the players that ARE being brought to UNH. As Watcher has pointed out and as we've seen on the ice, regularly, there are lots of hard-working role players getting offered and offered early. That sheds some light onto the recruiting philosophies of the people responsible. They might be out there chasing all of the players we'd like to see them target, but it doesn't show in terms of the player profile they're actually landing. As well as the extremely slow rate of recruiting news.

Would it be better for them to be out there targeting top kids, but losing every single recruiting battle or having kids put them on the back burner while they wait for something else? That would be a major concern as well and you'd have to start to wonder why they're losing these battles. Or what their recruiting sales pitch projects. Either way, it doesn't add up to much in the way of excitement or optimism for the Souza era just yet...

A lot of the opinions we are getting are from those who have an axe to grind, who are inclined to make excuses for the recently departed associate head coach. Mike Souza has been on the job since July. I really think people should cut him some slack for now. Why don't we wait and see how some of the guys he brings in turn out before send him down the river?

 

[Greg Ambrose]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Dan

I know you mean well and I am happy you are a diehard UNH fan like I am through and through. I attended all but one game this year and saw each game first hand not on some internet feed and I know each player on the team and all of the coaching staff and they all have a very different view of Danny Tirone than you and most of the others on this board. All goalies have some bad games and Danny is no different. Were you at the games at Merrimack? Maine? BU? VT? etc. If you are in Denver and work for DU (not Dick Umile) hockey, you would probably know that 15 full rides leaves a lot of walk on athletes as there are generally 25-30 players on each D 1 team in hockey. There are usually 2-4 players with serious injuries each year. Denver has a recruiting advantage as they are a western school where every Western Canadian wants to go (CA kids too) as is North Dakota. I think you should call Mike Souza on the phone if you have all these inside scoops on all of these amazing players that he should be recruiting. I am certain he will listen to you and if you are a great recruiter and talent evaluation expert, he might find a position for you when he becomes head coach. Kevin Regan is not walking through that door anytime soon and we will have junior and senior defensemen this year and they generally improve with age.

I have seen the flaws of our team and most other teams we play against. We have been very competitive all year (other than the Northeastern and MSU series). Lighten up or stop rooting for UNH as many of the posters would be better served by choosing another college hockey team. Mike Souza will turn the boat around. Maybe NCAA Watcher is Mike Souza and he is just bad mouthing himself to get the marginal haters away from UNH. I wish we had teams like 1998-99 2002-2003 and 2007-2008 (the best regular season team we ever had) and I have long term friends that played on all of these teams. If Watcher and Dan could take over the team for the next few years, I would be hoping that you could turn the boat around. Mike Souza isn't spending his whole day looking at websites, he is coaching and finding the players that fit into the UNH system. It takes all types to make up a team as UNH has never had all star teams for every line or pairing. Please try to bring some positives to the conversation. I agree with Bomber (and I do not know him or her) that we will be better next year regardless and that the deck is clear for Mike Souza to build a roster for two years from now.

Thanks to all for interesting information all season. I am going to take the summer off from this board so I can be optimistic for the 2016-2017 season. Please keep the Umile hating to a minimum if that is possible and give Mike Souza a chance to succeed without second guessing every little move or non-move he makes. He will be the difference maker in the living rooms as he will be better with kids than Jerry York and all others. It makes a big difference when you are recruiting for yourself as head coach.

Be well!

Dan, I hate to step on your toes here but this is about this post needs an immediate reply. Mr. 1932, I also went to just about every home game this year, as well as a half dozen or so away games. I also saw Danny Tirone play last year. And as an aside, I have also seen UNH goalies going back to Larry and Bob Smith. From the time ?Sean Matile and Ty Conklin tended goal for UNH, right through Kevin Regan, UNH had All American goalies almost every year. We no longer do. Why? Because, after Lassonde left, we didn't have an assistant who recognized the raw ability that makes a good goalie and we had no one who could teach them fine points of the position. I know I am going to get pushback from this comment, but hockey is a results oriented business and the results the past few years have not been good. Tirone relies on his athleticism to get by, nothing more. When he is the "good Danny" he may have his back to the play maybe 2 or 3 times a game. When he is the "bad Danny" we witness several more of those instances, plus the inevitable sprawling on the ice while the play continues on. You are correct, Tirone had several very good games this year, none better than the 3-2 win at Lowell. But Dan is correct. If UNH had been playing BC this past weekend, there never would have been a third game.

As for this comment "Lighten up or stop rooting for UNH as many of the posters would be better served by choosing another college hockey team." Reminds of the old bumper sticker in the '60's, "America, Love It or Leave It." 1932, I suggest you start your own thread. Maybe entitle it "UNH Hockey, Sunshine and Roses Only."

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

He will be the difference maker in the living rooms as he will be better with kids than Jerry York and all others.

You say a lot of dumb things.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Denying Joseph Masonius - 6 Goals, 15 Assists; #105 North American Skater on NHL CSS Midterm rankings - admissions at the end of June, 2015 was inexcusable. UConn accepted him in a matter of days. He obviously was worthy of an athletic scholarship based on his grades and test results.

To me this was the single biggest problem we had this season; the loss of this one player. Sure there were the other things we've talked about here, but we really needed him to pick up the slack of BP. Personally while this is a minority feeling around here, I'm hopeful our D will mature next season, and I'm not kidding myself that the addition of Wyse will necessarily save the day, but it's a step in the right direction. I'll revisit this thought halfway through next year's season...we'll see if this happens. I still like John F's hustle, believe Cleland will have a monster senior year, (this has been said already) and Dawson will come along, hopefully, the others follow suit. Offense wins games, defense, championships.

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Dan, I hate to step on your toes here but this is about this post needs an immediate reply. Mr. 1932, I also went to just about every home game this year, as well as a half dozen or so away games. I also saw Danny Tirone play last year. And as an aside, I have also seen UNH goalies going back to Larry and Bob Smith. From the time ?Sean Matile and Ty Conklin tended goal for UNH, right through Kevin Regan, UNH had All American goalies almost every year. We no longer do. Why? Because, after Lassonde left, we didn't have an assistant who recognized the raw ability that makes a good goalie and we had no one who could teach them fine points of the position. I know I am going to get pushback from this comment, but hockey is a results oriented business and the results the past few years have not been good. Tirone relies on his athleticism to get by, nothing more. When he is the "good Danny" he may have his back to the play maybe 2 or 3 times a game. When he is the "bad Danny" we witness several more of those instances, plus the inevitable sprawling on the ice while the play continues on. You are correct, Tirone had several very good games this year, none better than the 3-2 win at Lowell. But Dan is correct. If UNH had been playing BC this past weekend, there never would have been a third game.

As for this comment "Lighten up or stop rooting for UNH as many of the posters would be better served by choosing another college hockey team." Reminds of the old bumper sticker in the '60's, "America, Love It or Leave It." 1932, I suggest you start your own thread. Maybe entitle it "UNH Hockey, Sunshine and Roses Only."

No problem at all Greg, I'm done arguing with the enablers and - as they would be called on other boards - sunshine blowers. I deal with and post about reality. I think it is completely bogus when posters try to play the "I'm a better fan and my opinion is more valid because I attend more games card" - but despite living out of market I still made it to FIVE games this season and I watch every home and road game I can find a stream for. I watch the highlights over and over. I dive into the stats. I read every recap and analysis I can get my hands on. To sum it up, UNH hockey means way more to me than it should. I think I've earned the right to have an opinion and I think I consistently support my opinions with facts and strong evidence rather than just feelings and personal anecdotes...

As far as Tirone, he's athletic and flashy. He'll make a great save and nobody will notice the soft goal he gives up minutes later. He'll steal a game and everyone will forget the previous game where he gave up two soft goals in a 3-2 loss. Meanwhile, a goaltender like Clark simply works to get into the right position and let pucks hit him. He's boring. He makes very few highlight reel stops. As you stated, goaltending is a results based position and Tirone's results merit questions and the criticism.

Good coaches, players and goalies are consistent. Anyone can turn in an amazing performance, but can you do it most every night? UNH played great games against UML, BU and Providence down the stretch. They're DI athletes who can rise to the occasion, but over a 37 game schedule they proved to be a below average team this season.

Last season, Clark and the defense struggled early in the season. Tirone's arrival coincided with Borek taking over responsibility for the defense. Chuck makes a great point about the coaching influence - so kudos to Borek in that regard. The defense got noticeably better instantly (and not just Pesce) and played a HUGE role in Tirone's second half success. Now that Borek is gone, the defense reverted to its first half of 2014-15 form and suddenly Tirone looks more than human.

Tirone played almost the entire season, so its a small sample size for Clark & Reagan - but both outplayed him statistically. Tirone game up 16 goals in the first four games of the season. Clark came in the night after the UMass debacle and gave up four goals over the next two games - both wins (behind the same defense) - before getting hurt. Tirone returned to the crease the next weekend and gave up 12 goals against an offensively deficient MSU. Tirone was beaten 10 times against Northeastern and then four more times in half a game versus Notre Dame. Reagan replaced him in that game and gave up one goal on 20 shots, before posting a 26 save performance the next night (behind the same defense). Three of the four goals Reagan allowed were ND PP goals.

As for the excuses - I've made my points about what I think of them. I'm tired of listening to posters who think that UNH was fortunate to have the run they had and that in today's reality this is who they are. I'm tired of hearing about how UNH can't win with a facility better than 80% of those in college hockey. I'm tired of hearing about how UNH can't recruit against the big boys when they always have before. I'm tired of hearing blame heaped on the admissions office when the unreachable standard that keeps killing us is simply a second year of French class and the same academic mistakes are made over and over by the coaching staff. I'm tired of hearing about how UNH is not in Boston when schools in isolated locations all over the country are winning. I'm tired of hearing about how EIGHTEEN scholarships is not enough for them to attract enough talent (I broke it down in a previous post - if you can't build a team with 15 full scholarship kids, 6 fifty percent rides and 4 Chris Millers/Nick Nonis then you're in the wrong business).

(and yes - admissions should be figuratively dragged through the streets for what they did in the Johnny Gaudreault situation)

I'm sure many of you have noticed my signature and realize that I went to Miami (OH). Blasi turned that program into a success at the old Goggin Arena, before the new arena was any more than a dream. He did it despite the fact that he has to recruit in the shadow of Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, North Dakota, Denver, Minnesota and Wisconsin. He did it at a better academic school with higher admission standards. Have any of you ever been to Oxford? Sure its gorgeous - but you want to talk about isolated and rural?! Its half an hour from a highway of any kind! They haven't had a problem competing for top-rated recruits with anyone...

As far as supporting another team - that's not happening. Not even Miami. I love the RedHawks - and I'll prefer any other Miami team to their UNH equivalent - but I grew up literally immersed in UNH hockey. I'm not going to apologize for Watcher, Greg, myself or others having high expectations for the program. As Watcher stated earlier - whether were talking about the coaching staff, the program's support or the recruiting its time to strive for more. Right now I hear so much about settling for who we are and I hate it...

Greg, you're right - we're getting impatient with Souza, but every player they've brought in so far has been an upgrade over the players they've been brought in to replace. So while there is a lot of work to do, and much more important players to replace, I'll try to be more patient.

Catsfan1983, I'm an over the top guy - I appreciate you're understanding!

1932 - take a look at the last few days of posts and tell me if you think there is anyone who has shown themselves to be more optimistic about next season (and with the understanding that Tirone likely makes the majority of the starts!)? I apologize for my heinous opinion that he actually earn the position and play better than he did this season to do so...

 

[Greg Ambrose]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

No problem at all Greg, I'm done arguing with the enablers and - as they would be called on other boards - sunshine blowers. I deal with and post about reality. I think it is completely bogus when posters try to play the "I'm a better fan and my opinion is more valid because I attend more games card" - but despite living out of market I still made it to FIVE games this season and I watch every home and road game I can find a stream for. I watch the highlights over and over. I dive into the stats. I read every recap and analysis I can get my hands on. To sum it up, UNH hockey means way more to me than it should. I think I've earned the right to have an opinion and I think I consistently support my opinions with facts and strong evidence rather than just feelings and personal anecdotes...

As far as Tirone, he's athletic and flashy. He'll make a great save and nobody will notice the soft goal he gives up minutes later. He'll steal a game and everyone will forget the previous game where he gave up two soft goals in a 3-2 loss. Meanwhile, a goaltender like Clark simply works to get into the right position and let pucks hit him. He's boring. He makes very few highlight reel stops. As you stated, goaltending is a results based position and Tirone's results merit questions and the criticism.

Good coaches, players and goalies are consistent. Anyone can turn in an amazing performance, but can you do it most every night? UNH played great games against UML, BU and Providence down the stretch. They're DI athletes who can rise to the occasion, but over a 37 game schedule they proved to be a below average team this season.

Last season, Clark and the defense struggled early in the season. Tirone's arrival coincided with Borek taking over responsibility for the defense. Chuck makes a great point about the coaching influence - so kudos to Borek in that regard. The defense got noticeably better instantly (and not just Pesce) and played a HUGE role in Tirone's second half success. Now that Borek is gone, the defense reverted to its first half of 2014-15 form and suddenly Tirone looks more than human.

Tirone played almost the entire season, so its a small sample size for Clark & Reagan - but both outplayed him statistically. Tirone game up 16 goals in the first four games of the season. Clark came in the night after the UMass debacle and gave up four goals over the next two games - both wins (behind the same defense) - before getting hurt. Tirone returned to the crease the next weekend and gave up 12 goals against an offensively deficient MSU. Tirone was beaten 10 times against Northeastern and then four more times in half a game versus Notre Dame. Reagan replaced him in that game and gave up one goal on 20 shots, before posting a 26 save performance the next night (behind the same defense). Three of the four goals Reagan allowed were ND PP goals.

As for the excuses - I've made my points about what I think of them. I'm tired of listening to posters who think that UNH was fortunate to have the run they had and that in today's reality this is who they are. I'm tired of hearing about how UNH can't win with a facility better than 80% of those in college hockey. I'm tired of hearing about how UNH can't recruit against the big boys when they always have before. I'm tired of hearing blame heaped on the admissions office when the unreachable standard that keeps killing us is simply a second year of French class and the same academic mistakes are made over and over by the coaching staff. I'm tired of hearing about how UNH is not in Boston when schools in isolated locations all over the country are winning. I'm tired of hearing about how EIGHTEEN scholarships is not enough for them to attract enough talent (I broke it down in a previous post - if you can't build a team with 15 full scholarship kids, 6 fifty percent rides and 4 Chris Millers/Nick Nonis then you're in the wrong business).

(and yes - admissions should be figuratively dragged through the streets for what they did in the Johnny Gaudreault situation)

I'm sure many of you have noticed my signature and realize that I went to Miami (OH). Blasi turned that program into a success at the old Goggin Arena, before the new arena was any more than a dream. He did it despite the fact that he has to recruit in the shadow of Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, North Dakota, Denver, Minnesota and Wisconsin. He did it at a better academic school with higher admission standards. Have any of you ever been to Oxford? Sure its gorgeous - but you want to talk about isolated and rural?! Its half an hour from a highway of any kind! They haven't had a problem competing for top-rated recruits with anyone...

As far as supporting another team - that's not happening. Not even Miami. I love the RedHawks - and I'll prefer any other Miami team to their UNH equivalent - but I grew up literally immersed in UNH hockey. I'm not going to apologize for Watcher, Greg, myself or others having high expectations for the program. As Watcher stated earlier - whether were talking about the coaching staff, the program's support or the recruiting its time to strive for more. Right now I hear so much about settling for who we are and I hate it...

Greg, you're right - we're getting impatient with Souza, but every player they've brought in so far has been an upgrade over the players they've been brought in to replace. So while there is a lot of work to do, and much more important players to replace, I'll try to be more patient.

Catsfan1983, I'm an over the top guy - I appreciate you're understanding!

1932 - take a look at the last few days of posts and tell me if you think there is anyone who has shown themselves to be more optimistic about next season (and with the understanding that Tirone likely makes the majority of the starts!)? I apologize for my heinous opinion that he actually earn the position and play better than he did this season to do so...

"Have any of you ever been to Oxford?" I have. A friend of mine and I went out there a few years ago (more than a few, Goumas was a freshman) to see UNH play Miami. Great town if you're a student (maybe not so much if you're an adult). It was a beautiful weekend, in the 80's, we played golf at the course situated in the state park nearby. And UNH split.

I could go on for another half hour about why UNH has fallen to where they are now. But I will tell you it has nothing to do with the arena, the location, or the school itself. UNH was competing at a national level from the mid-70's into the early 80's while playing at Snively. After the Kullen years, when they recruited successfully for a program coached by a guy who was on his death bed, they again bounced back while still playing in the old barn with the crappy locker room and the rudimentary weight room across the street. No excuses back then. The excuses I see now on this board are coming from somewhere, most likely from the former associate head coach, who has decided that his own failings take a back seat to the alleged failings of the school he was working for.

 

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

I like seeing all the posts of who we should sign but there are only so many full scholarships and almost all Canadians require four years.

Problem solved.

Eiserman isn't going anywhere. And you can rest easy, Pots has told the staff he is going to be staying for his JR. year as he needs to develop more physically and is going to try to graduate in three years if possible.

Ouch. Hope the staff didn't believe him, or at least made contingency plans.

 

[bomberhockey]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

I'm sure Borek will get the UMass job this time after he shows off his stellar resume and explains how Dick left him out to dry at UNH. So Makar likely sticks with Umass...

In all honesty, I'd be surprised if they even pick up the phone in a situation like this. They never have before.

Word is the're going younger, so it aint Borek

 

[CatsFan1983]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Ouch. Hope the staff didn't believe him, or at least made contingency plans.

From what I know he pretty much had decided to stay a third year, then started wavering on staying within the last 2-4 weeks.

 

[bomberhockey]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

UNH had All American goalies almost every year. We no longer do. Why? Because, after Lassonde left, we didn't have an assistant who recognized the raw ability that makes a good goalie and we had no one who could teach them fine points of the position. I know I am going to get pushback from this comment, but hockey is a results oriented business and the results the past few years have not been good.
This statement shows that you know not of what you speak! DL knew talent and I"m sure he probably was a positive for the goalies. But knowing talent and bringing that talent to Durham are 2 very different things. And then there's bringing that All American to Durham with a BU/BC type arrangement is still another. This is contrary to the truth! This is pure fiction!

 

[scoreboard]

From what I know he pretty much had decided to stay a third year, then started wavering on staying within the last 2-4 weeks.

So he decided to stay before he decided to leave. Thanks for clarifying...

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

From what I know he pretty much had decided to stay a third year, then started wavering on staying within the last 2-4 weeks.

A rough couple of weeks + $150,000 signing bonus + good contract + chance to live a dream = hard to say no

oh well.

 

[Snively65]

A rough couple of weeks + $150,000 signing bonus + good contract + chance to live a dream = hard to say no

oh well.

And, the realization that the HEA refs were going to allow an open season of slashing, cross checks, and head shots to him next season. Easy decision to bolt, if you ask me.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

And, the realization that the HEA refs were going to allow an open season of slashing, cross checks, and head shots to him next season. Easy decision to bolt, if you ask me.

Yes, of course, because they play soft hockey in the AHL, and even softer hockey in the 'Coast.

Snively, surely you know better than that.

I will say this ... I said some pretty unflattering things about our now-departed Hobey nominee after watching his performance Friday night in the latter stages of Game 2 at Merrimack. Afterwards, I heard from two very credible sources (one from this board, another closer to the program) that he was carrying an injury, and trying to gut it out. So I thought, kudos to him, and we can expect him to bulk up and play a real "big boys' game" next season. Then less than 48 hours later, he is off on a tryout contract with Carolina. Not to cast any doubt on what my sources told me, which I do believe was/is true BTW - but gosh, that kid sure is a quick healer.



I'll revert to my original assessment - his head was clearly elsewhere down the stretch, he showed zero leadership on the ice, got pushed around way too easily, and I'm not surprised to see him go. Honestly ... UNH won three (3) games with him eating up a ton of ice time since the calendar turned to 2016. Did he post Hobey numbers or put forth Hobey performances since January? No and no. Talk about your Central Casting UNH forward - big numbers early, disappearing when the going gets tougher after the Winter break. Now he's off to "chase the dream" ... good luck with the Checkers, but until you grow a pair, it's more likely you're going to be spending quality time with Agosta down with the Everblades, as opposed to with Pesce up at the parent club.

He'll be missed, but I'm not sure he'll be missed as much as some on here seem to think. JMHO.

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

I do not get to a lot of AHL and NHL games, but from the few that I have seen in person (old Monarchs in Manchvegas) and much more on TV (NHL), the role of enforcers is still a consideration by those prone to hacking and slashing the other team's youngsters. I think that Pots will be fine on the big club, as he is a much better skater and passer than was Trevor Smith, and almost as good as JvR, who also left after two years. From the UNH games that I saw this season, all three on our top line were getting hacked, slashed, and taking far more head shots during the second half of the season than during the first half, which was apparently ok with the refs, and I think a large part of the reason that their productivity dropped off the last couple of months. Anyway, why hang around for a third season and risk a career-ending injury when there is money on the table? TvR almost lost his chance for moving up by getting seriously injured during a third year, as did Pesce.

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Yes, of course, because they play soft hockey in the AHL, and even softer hockey in the 'Coast.

Snively, surely you know better than that.

I will say this ... I said some pretty unflattering things about our now-departed Hobey nominee after watching his performance Friday night in the latter stages of Game 2 at Merrimack. Afterwards, I heard from two very credible sources (one from this board, another closer to the program) that he was carrying an injury, and trying to gut it out. So I thought, kudos to him, and we can expect him to bulk up and play a real "big boys' game" next season. Then less than 48 hours later, he is off on a tryout contract with Carolina. Not to cast any doubt on what my sources told me, which I do believe was/is true BTW - but gosh, that kid sure is a quick healer.



I'll revert to my original assessment - his head was clearly elsewhere down the stretch, he showed zero leadership on the ice, got pushed around way too easily, and I'm not surprised to see him go. Honestly ... UNH won three (3) games with him eating up a ton of ice time since the calendar turned to 2016. Did he post Hobey numbers or put forth Hobey performances since January? No and no. Talk about your Central Casting UNH forward - big numbers early, disappearing when the going gets tougher after the Winter break. Now he's off to "chase the dream" ... good luck with the Checkers, but until you grow a pair, it's more likely you're going to be spending quality time with Agosta down with the Everblades, as opposed to with Pesce up at the parent club.

He'll be missed, but I'm not sure he'll be missed as much as some on here seem to think. JMHO.

If you had two sources you trust tell you he was hampered by an injury and still believe them, than why has your opinion changed so abruptly? Is it that hard to believe the injury limited his play but wasn't enough to keep him from playing. And if that's the case, isn't that leadership? Why should he come back for another year to rehab a nagging injury when he's proven a mastery of the NCAA game. If he's healthy enough to play for UNH, I'm sure he's healthy enough to go to Charlotte and play 10-15 games with the Checkers. Its not as if he's going to get cut during his ATO and he has all summer to rehab for training camp.

You think the physical attention he received is just hockey and Snively thinks it was over the line - regardless of the reality he definitely was the center of opponents attention the second half of the season. Who cares what you call the attention, you can't deny that it was there. Being chased around consistently by double teams and bodied up at every opportunity is going to hinder anyone's numbers. Perhaps if there was ANYONE besides Poturalski and Kelleher on the UNH roster to spread this attention around their numbers wouldn't have slipped? And no matter what was said here on the boards, Poturalski never backed down from the physical attention.

He made a mockery of college hockey early in the year before team's had a real scout on UNH. Once the second half of the season rolled around it was clear that if you defend Poturalski and Kelleher you beat UNH. Its easy to shut down a scorer when he's all a team has. Defend the top line, spend the rest of the game in UNH's end. And despite all that he was still a PPG guy in the second half...

Just watch the video ref posted below - he's head and shoulders above most of college hockey in terms of skill level. The Notre Dame highlight at 3:00 was a dance through to future NHL defensemen and a future NHL goalie. He wasn't going to be challenged by coming back. He's ready for the next level, where he'll also have even more opportunity to hit the gym and get bigger.

I know you don't like early departures, but Poturalski will only see the ECHL if he's rehabbing an injury. I have no doubt he's a top-six guy in the AHL as soon as next year and he's likely an NHLer in the future - his worst case scenario is a STAR in Europe making a lot of money. If you want to be frustrated with someone, be frustrated with the coaching staff who deferred him a year and cost us three seasons of watching him play...

He's already 22, he just got paid a lot of money (more than enough to finish the one year of college he apparently has left), is joining a team that offers him a great opportunity in a rebuilding/young organization and he's not getting any better repeating this level next year. Its a huge bummer to lose him and UNH's 2015-16 hopes take a huge hit - but the guy crushed it this year and is the only reason we weren't dead last in HE or finished with more than 3-4 wins total. Can you really blame him for taking this step in his life/career, its not like he's passing on coming back to chase a ring. Coming back would be an injury risk. Its just his time to go...

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

I do not get to a lot of AHL and NHL games, but from the few that I have seen in person (old Monarchs in Manchvegas) and much more on TV (NHL), the role of enforcers is still a consideration by those prone to hacking and slashing the other team's youngsters. I think that Pots will be fine on the big club, as he is a much better skater and passer than was Trevor Smith, and almost as good as JvR, who also left after two years. From the UNH games that I saw this season, all three on our top line were getting hacked, slashed, and taking far more head shots during the second half of the season than during the first half, which was apparently ok with the refs, and I think a large part of the reason that their productivity dropped off the last couple of months. Anyway, why hang around for a third season and risk a career-ending injury when there is money on the table? TvR almost lost his chance for moving up by getting seriously injured during a third year, as did Pesce.

You're treading dangerously close to SMT territory there, Snively. It's not like our guys are the only ones subjected to physical play down the stretch. It's a huge deficiency in Poturalski's game, and while he has skill and decent speed, he lacks the solid frame of guys like TvR and Pesce to play "big boys' hockey" in the show. Haydar was a superior D-1 player to Poturalski, and while he set scoring records in the AHL, no one cares because he never passed the test at the next level.

Maybe Poturalski makes it, maybe he doesn't ... Carolina isn't exactly an NHL powerhouse, but to be honest I'm puzzled as to why when an NHL coach of a rebuilding franchise with lots of potential opportunities at the parent club level is in the house to watch your game, you (as an undrafted FA) play scared, like you're protecting your investment, and going through the motions in what was arguably one of the biggest games of your (short) D-1 career? Just sayin' ...

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

If you had two sources you trust tell you he was hampered by an injury and still believe them, than why has your opinion changed so abruptly? Is it that hard to believe the injury limited his play but wasn't enough to keep him from playing. And if that's the case, isn't that leadership? Why should he come back for another year to rehab a nagging injury when he's proven a mastery of the NCAA game. If he's healthy enough to play for UNH, I'm sure he's healthy enough to go to Charlotte and play 10-15 games with the Checkers. Its not as if he's going to get cut during his ATO and he has all summer to rehab for training camp.

My opinion on how poorly he played (unfocused and uncommitted) is probably posted for posterity earlier in this thread from after Friday's game. I backed off a little after getting some info, which made it sound like he was likely going to need a (minor) procedure after the season was done. But that runs counter to signing to play the rest of the season elsewhere. Knowing what we all know now, I don't think I need to draw a picture to explain the conclusions that's led me to.

You've mentioned a couple of times in your post about "mastery". I didn't see mastery at any point in 2016.

You think the physical attention he received is just hockey and Snively thinks it was over the line - regardless of the reality he definitely was the center of opponents attention the second half of the season. Being chased around consistently by double teams and bodied up at every opportunity is going to hinder anyone's numbers. Perhaps if there was ANYONE besides Poturalski and Kelleher on the UNH roster to spread this attention around their numbers wouldn't have slipped? And no matter what was said here on the boards, Poturalski never backed down from the physical attention.

OK we will have to disagree on that last bit then. My lasting memory of AP this season was him getting punked right after the faceoff at the beginning of the PK that ended Friday night's game. Basically ... no mas.

He made a mockery of college hockey early in the year before team's had a real scout on UNH. Once the second half of the season rolled around it was clear that if you defend Poturalski and Kelleher you beat UNH. Its easy to shut down a scorer when he's all a team has. Defend the top line, spend the rest of the game in UNH's end. And despite all that he was still a PPG guy in the second half...

Mockery, mastery, hyperbole. So you're saying he snuck up on the league, but once the league knew he couldn't hit the curveball, he went from being a "master" to being just another good player. Answer me this honestly - do you think the Poturalski we saw in 2016 was worthy of a Hobey nomination? I know I don't.

Just watch the video ref posted below - he's head and shoulders above most of college hockey in terms of skill level. He wasn't going to be challenged by coming back. He's ready for the next level, where he'll also have even more opportunity to hit the gym and get bigger.

And he will need that opportunity, make no mistake. As far as video highlight reels, those are always nice, but it's the guys who work hard consistently (even when the camera might not be on them), play a complete game AND have top skill who impress me. One out of three doesn't quite qualify as "mastery" to me, Dan. But that's just me.

I know you don't like early departures, but Poturalski will only see the ECHL if he's rehabbing an injury. I have no doubt he's a top-six guy in the AHL as soon as next year and he's likely an NHLer in the future - his worst case scenario is a STAR in Europe making a lot of money. If you want to be frustrated with someone, be frustrated with the coaching staff who deferred him a year and cost us three seasons of watching him play...

Understand your last point, and don't disagree. But unless he stops being a one-dimensional floater, no NHL coach is going to allow him near a top-six NHL slot, and he simply doesn't have the guts to be a bottom-six guy, unless he lands on a team that can afford to carry a one-dimensional guy to bolster their second PP unit. And if he doesn't put in the work, AHL coaches will give him 2-3 years tops to do so, and then if he still hasn't gotten the message, it'll be off to the 'Coast with the likes of Joey Diamond, or to Europe, as you've suggested.

He's already 22, he just got paid a lot of money (more than enough to finish the one year of college he apparently has left), is joining a team that offers him a great opportunity in a rebuilding/young organization and he's not getting any better repeating this level next year. Its a huge bummer to lose him and UNH's 2015-16 hopes take a huge hit - but the guy crushed it early this year before everyone figured out how to stop him and is the only reason we weren't dead last in HE or finished with more than 3-4 wins total. Can you really blame him for taking this step in his life/career, its not like he's passing on coming back to chase a ring. Coming back would be an injury risk. Its just his time to go...

Tidied up an early part of your post. Oh ... and if you haven't noticed, playing hockey is an injury risk.

I knew we'd disagree, Dan. Let's just say I'm not nearly as despondent as some/most on here about the news.

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

I am not at all despondent, as I think that the young forwards along with TyK can benefit by more balanced scoring across three lines. Opposing teams will not be able to focus on beating up our top line, as I observed in games that I attended the second half. It was not just Pots who was getting g cross-checked in the face off circle, of all places, at UML, as Correale nearly had his head taken off high in the slot during the closing minutes of that game. The blueline still is a big concern, in my mind. Goal tending should be fine, as long as all three get a chance.