UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

[Dan]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

It's like we're the same person, right down to immediately thinking of Harrison. Please let's not go too far down the Gendron path of toughening up so recruiting Malcom Hayes, Holloway, Cochrane to get size back there.
Remember coach tippett noting that big defenders seem good but then you realize the reason they are defending because they can't get the puck out. Bc routinely is a smaller team.

As you say, Wyse seems not one dimensional, so a good get. Still, need Mitchell or Harrison.

Haha, we really are. I just finished editing my post to add Mitchell's name. I also like Will Reilly - and hey, he's 6-2 - but regardless of size he'd be the third priority out of that group. UNH was dominated by Notre Dame, not because of Notre Dame's size, but because of Notre Dame's size AND skill...

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Good to hear UNH was quick to act on an unexpected opportunity with Wyse. Not so much for the player (who hopefully will be a good one), but the hustling, ear-to-the-ground opportunistic action by the staff, bodes well. Kudos.

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

And for the record the only reason he became available is because he could not get through admissions at Dartmouth.

He'll be here next year, and we weren't the only HE school in on him.

Really? He could not get through admissions at Dartmouth, but we expect that he can get through admissions at UNH? Have we lowered our admissions standards?

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

"UNH Recruits Update: Feb-26-2016"

Player Spotlight on Patrick Grasso

 

[HockeyRef]

Really? He could not get through admissions at Dartmouth, but we expect that he can get through admissions at UNH? Have we lowered our admissions standards?

One can only hope haha seriously after the loss of JM this summer (and countless others it seems) this issue has got to be a priority. Actually looking forward to watching JM this weekend...you know to see what we missed out on as I understand he's a decent player.

And kudos to the UNH staff for securing Wyse as it was said other HE teams were interested. Onward 'Cats!!

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

And kudos to the UNH staff for securing Wyse as it was said other HE teams were interested. Onward 'Cats!!

Wyse seems like a fine second-pair defenseman for the future, but until (if ever) we find out who these other HE teams are, this means nothing to me. Its MUCH more likely its some combination of MC, UMass, UVM, UConn, Maine, etc than BU, BC, PC or Notre Dame. If the coaching staff is this excited to sneak one away from our fellow HE also-rans, it just illustrates how far we've fallen.

UNH has landed four recruits since Souza arrived - and if UNH has ambitions of climbing back towards the top of HE, then they've landed a second-pair defenseman, two third-pair defensemen and a third-line (maybe, a fringe second-line) forward. There have been no complete DI whiffs so far, but they still have A LOT of work and some serious raising of their competitive standards to do before its time to get excited or give kudos...

 

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Wyse seems like a fine second-pair defenseman for the future, but until (if ever) we find out who these other HE teams are, this means nothing to me. Its MUCH more likely its some combination of MC, UMass, UVM, UConn, Maine, etc than BU, BC, PC or Notre Dame. If the coaching staff is this excited to sneak one away from our fellow HE also-rans, it just illustrates how far we've fallen.

UNH has landed four recruits since Souza arrived - and if UNH has ambitions of climbing back towards the top of HE, then they've landed a second-pair defenseman, two third-pair defensemen and a third-line (maybe, a fringe second-line) forward. There have been no complete DI whiffs so far, but they still have A LOT of work and some serious raising of their competitive standards to do before its time to get excited or give kudos...

Same mind, same thought.


No way BU or PC is in market. BC maybe at a very low offer. I could see your group of MC, U.Conn, Mass, Vermont, Maine being interested. That is not to slag on Wyse, who would be a step up from four of our current D, but as you say, they need a lot more, and the available impact kids shrink everyday. (I see only Wyse, MacAdams and Green. Who is the other defenseman, other than Corson Green?)

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Same mind, same thought.


No way BU or PC is in market. BC maybe at a very low offer. I could see your group of MC, U.Conn, Mass, Vermont, Maine being interested. That is not to slag on Wyse, who would be a step up from four of our current D, but as you say, they need a lot more, and the available impact kids shrink everyday. (I see only Wyse, MacAdams and Green. Who is the other defenseman, other than Corson Green?)

While Dawson was a late/emergency recruit, he committed after Souza's arrival so I have always attributed him to the current Souza/Stewart regime. Rightly or wrongly, I guess...

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

the available impact kids shrink everyday.

This is where my mind starts to wander and panic - because I begin to wonder just what the new UNH recruiting strategy is under Souza/Stewart. Are we targeting young players and failing to close or are we waiting for players to show exactly who they are as 19 and 20 year olds (at which point the elite are gone)? I was encouraged when I heard that we had a top young kid from Ontario on campus. I'm discouraged when there is NO news on that front months later and all we've seen under Souza are two '96's, a 97 and just one '99...

As you stated, there is elite young talent there waiting to be had - and we see the pool shrink every day as kids who should be on UNH's radar are turning elsewhere. Is UNH losing these kids or failing to even engage them? Which reality would be worse?

There are lots of complaints about early recruiting in NCAA sports these days, but here's the beauty of it for a team like UNH. Its less about competing with the BC's and BU's of the world than it is about being first in the mind of a recruit. Right or wrong, these kids are desperate to commit ASAP and are extremely impressionable to the first schools/offers they get. Guys like Wyse and MacAdams are fine pick-ups - but they are not the program changing talents that UNH needs to be chasing every day. We know what UNH will be for the next few seasons, adding a win or two a season really makes little difference when you can make SERIOUS improvements with your recruiting in the '99 and '00 classes...

Maybe, I'm naive, but I don't think it should be that difficult. While UNH is struggling, it still offers a heck of a package and it is an exciting opportunity for kids to be a part of re-building a special program. They can play a major role immediately and be the difference makers in the future of UNH hockey. Recruits love that stuff. The staff should make sure recruits know that they're dead serious about the rebuild - they need players now. So take your time and make the right decision, but the staff is always on the look out for players that can jump-start the transition and if they find them offers will be made to those players as well. Create excitement and light a fire in a prospects decision making process.

There are still lots of young players - both F's & D's - that I'd love to see UNH targeting. They need to get out and offer this type of target immediately - first kids to buy into re-building UNH into an elite program - get the spot. Its time to make things happen on the recruiting front...

Would love some more insight from posters like, Bomber and CatsFan1983 (who appear to have insight into the Souza led staff), on what the recruiting efforts/philosophies have been/will be?? How aggressive have they been, etc? What's their sales pitch? Are Wyse, Green, MacAdams the guys they wanted above all others? Or are they lesser financial commitments viewed as support pieces to bigger TBD fish....?? I certainly wouldnt expect to hear that Player X is on campus today, they offered Player Y this amount, etc. But some encouraging general information would be welcome and hopefully...encouraging...

 

[RegalFan]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Wyse seems like a fine second-pair defenseman for the future, but until (if ever) we find out who these other HE teams are, this means nothing to me. Its MUCH more likely its some combination of MC, UMass, UVM, UConn, Maine, etc than BU, BC, PC or Notre Dame. If the coaching staff is this excited to sneak one away from our fellow HE also-rans, it just illustrates how far we've fallen.

UNH has landed four recruits since Souza arrived - and if UNH has ambitions of climbing back towards the top of HE, then they've landed a second-pair defenseman, two third-pair defensemen and a third-line (maybe, a fringe second-line) forward. There have been no complete DI whiffs so far, but they still have A LOT of work and some serious raising of their competitive standards to do before its time to get excited or give kudos...

BU was in on Wyse and he chose UNH over them.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

BU was in on Wyse and he chose UNH over them.

Nice. Also seems like a kid who might have fit Coach Bazin's profile at UML (obligatory Normie pandering).

 

[CatsFan1983]

BU was in on Wyse and he chose UNH over them.

This is correct.

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Nice. Also seems like a kid who might have fit Coach Bazin's profile at UML (obligatory Normie pandering).

I'm not going to doubt Regal's post - as I can see how he might be connected to Wyse - but here is BU's defense for next season...

Fortunato/Hickey
McAvoy/Somerby
Krys/Fabbro
MacLeod/Switzer
Diffley

Unless they KNOW they're losing someone, its hard to see where Wyse fits on a roster that already has nine defensemen let alone what they'd have to offer $$$-wise. Its nice to hear that BU liked him, but its all about what they do when they get to Durham. I'd rather have Saviano's career than Caron's.

The bottom line is UNH needs a lot more and its way past time to start being more aggressive...

 

[CatsFan1983]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

I'm not going to doubt Regal's post - as I can see how he might be connected to Wyse - but here is BU's defense for next season...

Fortunato/Hickey
McAvoy/Somerby
Krys/Fabbro
MacLeod/Switzer
Diffley

Unless they KNOW they're losing someone, its hard to see where Wyse fits on a roster that already has nine defensemen let alone what they'd have to offer $$$-wise. Its nice to hear that BU liked him, but its all about what they do when they get to Durham. I'd rather have Saviano's career than Caron's.

The bottom line is UNH needs a lot more and its way past time to start being more aggressive...

No need to doubt Regal, he is 100% correct. Also, I think Somerby might move on after this year.

 

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Would love some more insight from posters like, Bomber and CatsFan1983 (who appear to have insight into the Souza led staff), on what the recruiting efforts/philosophies have been/will be?? How aggressive have they been, etc? What's their sales pitch? Are Wyse, Green, MacAdams the guys they wanted above all others? Or are they lesser financial commitments viewed as support pieces to bigger TBD fish....?? I certainly wouldnt expect to hear that Player X is on campus today, they offered Player Y this amount, etc. But some encouraging general information would be welcome and hopefully...encouraging...

Agree. This is different than what I had hoped for in a transition -- a press conference with new coach, and then a couple of "wows" that sent a signal to the rest of the hockey world. Instead, it seems this year has been a treading water year, not making any big splashes, tinkering around the edges. (But enough beating the dead horse about the gradual transition.)

I earlier posted about how unclear Souza's track record is, so we don't know about how he feels on early commits. White was the main guy at Brown when they got early commits from Kevin Roy and Miles Wood. Cavanaugh had the connections when UConn got early commits from the Minny kids, which lead to elite kid Mayer. However, UConn waited and got late bloomers Tage Thompson and Karasuk, so this might be what Souza thinks he can do -- wait for the late bloomers. (Lowell is doing this, and has only a minimal amount of recruits -- view their recruiting thread to see their distress, tempered at least by their on-ice succerss and thereby trust in Bazin.)

What we know of the bigger guys they actually are targeting are Cam Hillis (00) and Jason Cameron (99). I speculated that UNH might be getting other Ontario kids on campus during their school president's day breaks (late Feb).

Update on status

All-Hockey East Recruits
...........................98........99........00........01.........02
BU (18).....................8..........3..........4.........3.........0
Notre Dame (16).........6..........5..........4..........1.........0
BC (15).....................8...........3.........3..........2..........0
Maine (12).................6...........6.........0.........0..........0
Vermont (11)..............4..........6.........0.........0..........1
Northeastern (11)........7..........4.........0.........0..........0
Providence (11)...........4..........7.........0..........0.........0
U.Conn (6).................3..........1.........2..........0..........0
U.Mass (6).................4..........2.........0..........0..........0
Merrimack (3)............1..........2..........0..........0..........0
Lowell (2)..................2..........0..........0..........0..........0
UNH (2).....................1.........1..........0..........0..........0

 

[CatsFan1983]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Would love some more insight from posters like, Bomber and CatsFan1983 (who appear to have insight into the Souza led staff), on what the recruiting efforts/philosophies have been/will be?? How aggressive have they been, etc? What's their sales pitch? Are Wyse, Green, MacAdams the guys they wanted above all others? Or are they lesser financial commitments viewed as support pieces to bigger TBD fish....?? I certainly wouldnt expect to hear that Player X is on campus today, they offered Player Y this amount, etc. But some encouraging general information would be welcome and hopefully...encouraging...

Not to sound simplistic, but bringing in size AND speed that can play is becoming a priority. Teams like BC, BU and Notre Dame are flat out bigger, stronger and faster currently and to compete at the national level with these teams and others the roster needs to evolve in that same direction. This isn't to say that the smaller guys like TyK will not longer be on the table, but a better mix throughout the roster may be more of the vision.

 

[NCAA watcher]

Not to sound simplistic, but bringing in size AND speed that can play is becoming a priority. Teams like BC, BU and Notre Dame are flat out bigger, stronger and faster currently and to compete at the national level with these teams and others the roster needs to evolve in that same direction. This isn't to say that the smaller guys like TyK will not longer be on the table, but a better mix throughout the roster may be more of the vision.

Maine recruited to get bigger and stronger, but couldn't put the puck in the ocean and is below UNH. Providence is smaller and more skilled. BC and BU are more skilled, regardless of size as they get the most talented from 5'6 Gaudreau to 6'4 Tuch. LOok at the d they are bringing in 5-10 McInnis, Moore and Mantilla. Forwards are 5'7 Tortela, hutsko, 5'8 Grando, 5'8 Moynihan, 5'9 Walsh, 5'11 Graham. BU has 5'10 Tkachuk, 5'8 Cockrill, 5'8 Harper, 5'8 Crone, 5'8 Farabee, 5'7 Mastrosimone, 5'10 Doyle, 5'11 Weiss. PC Scott Conway 5'11, Jay O'Brien Josh Wilkins 5'10 John Mulera 5'7, Chase Zieky 5'10 Jordan Kawaguchi 5'8 Ben Mirageas 5'10 Ryzek 5'10, Vimal Sukumaran 5'10 Jacob Bryson 5'8 Riley Prattson 5'8 Matt Allen 5'11 Matt Alvaro5'8 Spenser Young 5'10. These top 4 hockey east team teams realize its not about getting bigger, its that about getting more skilled.

Its schools that can't compete for real talent, like Lake Superior, Merrimack, or Lowell that chose to go for big teams to wear down the opposition. Please don't go down that road of thinking you can't compete for skill against the good teams.

UNH loses puck battles because the cannot control pucks when they have them or d that can create a second in which to make good break outs, or forwards on whom the other teams d can collapse because they are not a threat to break into the clear because they lack size (senior line which has size but no puck skills). Building a team to defend means you will defend more.

Someone please send Souza a 98-99 roster reminding him that his line mates were 5-8 Haydar and 5-10 Krog 5-11 Mowers and the d was led by 5-11 Stafford

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Maine recruited to get bigger and stronger, but couldn't put the puck in the ocean and is below UNH. Providence is smaller and more skilled. BC and BU are more skilled, regardless of size as they get the most talented from 5'6 Gaudreau to 6'4 Tuch. LOok at the d they are bringing in 5-10 McInnis, Moore and Mantilla. Forwards are 5'7 Tortela, hutsko, 5'8 Grando, 5'8 Moynihan, 5'9 Walsh, 5'11 Graham. BU has 5'10 Tkachuk, 5'8 Cockrill, 5'8 Harper, 5'8 Crone, 5'8 Farabee, 5'7 Mastrosimone, 5'10 Doyle, 5'11 Weiss. PC Scott Conway 5'11, Jay O'Brien Josh Wilkins 5'10 John Mulera 5'7, Chase Zieky 5'10 Jordan Kawaguchi 5'8 Ben Mirageas 5'10 Ryzek 5'10, Vimal Sukumaran 5'10 Jacob Bryson 5'8 Riley Prattson 5'8 Matt Allen 5'11 Matt Alvaro5'8 Spenser Young 5'10. These top 4 hockey east team teams realize its not about getting bigger, its that about getting more skilled.

Its schools that can't compete for real talent, like Lake Superior, Merrimack, or Lowell that chose to go for big teams to wear down the opposition. Please don't go down that road of thinking you can't compete for skill against the good teams.

UNH loses puck battles because the cannot control pucks when they have them or d that can create a second in which to make good break outs, or forwards on whom the other teams d can collapse because they are not a threat to break into the clear because they lack size (senior line which has size but no puck skills). Building a team to defend means you will defend more.

Someone please send Souza a 98-99 roster reminding him that his line mates were 5-8 Haydar and 5-10 Krog 5-11 Mowers and the d was led by 5-11 Stafford

AMEN.

I hope that size is only part of the strategy - because this is NOT the NHL. Skill, puck-possession and ability are what matters at the college level. The slow pace to recruiting and the apparent strategy are raising some serious doubts for the Souza era to come. Its time for Mike to really kick it in the *** and get some TALENT. Tall statuesque defensemen with stones for hands and a bunch of grinding upper-class forwards will get you tenth place in Hockey East. He just watched it happen, we can only hope he was paying attention...

BTW Mike, you may have been the biggest forward on your 98-99 line - but you were MADE by your munchkin line-mates...

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Like I wrote on the other thread, put TyK and Pots on the first two blueline pairs next season. It is pointless to waste them on a forward line.

 

[CatsFan1983]

Not to sound simplistic, but bringing in size AND speed that can play is becoming a priority. Teams like BC, BU and Notre Dame are flat out bigger, stronger and faster currently and to compete at the national level with these teams and others the roster needs to evolve in that same direction.

Quoting myself. Size AND speed that can play.