UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

[bomberhockey]

Okay, I get it now. When you lose the argument, you change the topic. Let me tell you this. I am a college hockey fan in general and a UNH Hockey fan in particular. While I enjoy it when Doc Emrick mentions the college which players attended, particularly when it's a UNH player, it is not the be all end all to me. The important thing is how my team does. And it is indisputable that the UNH teams when McCloskey was an assistant faired better than those who skated when Borek was an assistant. And now you imply that Umile was part of a three legged stool during the McCloskey years but, all of sudden, when Borek came in, he was not. Not sure how you know that and how you would document it but facts are facts, McCloskey was better.

So being an NHL caliber player doesn't indicate talent? And yes I am stating that DU involvement diminished during Borek's time here! And I'll also state a fact that starting in 2010ish he was not only not involved in recruiting he was removed from other parts of the program. When in the conference room with a recruit, DU had no idea who the player was, or howmuch he was offered, and spent mere minutes with the recruit, fact. And during the transition a recruit received more than originally was agreed upon because DU had no idea what was on the table, fact. Did SB short you in a payment or something, you're sure out for his hide. Unfortunately we'll never know his real impact here, say if UMass AD didn't back down at the last minute, or Providence gave him an interview? I'll reiterate what I said before, why'd the HC of an NC championship team hire a slug, I think at the time Brian was available. Oh and Brian rolled that recruiting prowess over to the other program and created a dynasty? Is my opinion indisputable? No. Oh yeah and I only watch college hockey, the World Jrs and Stanley Cup playoffs. To me it's only hockey worth watching.
Let's just agree to two things, the past is the past and what we all want is UNH to rise to relevancy sooner rather than later.

 

[E.J. Smith]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Okay, I get it now. When you lose the argument, you change the topic. Let me tell you this. I am a college hockey fan in general and a UNH Hockey fan in particular. While I enjoy it when Doc Emrick mentions the college which players attended, particularly when it's a UNH player, it is not the be all end all to me. The important thing is how my team does. And it is indisputable that the UNH teams when McCloskey was an assistant faired better than those who skated when Borek was an assistant. And now you imply that Umile was part of a three legged stool during the McCloskey years but, all of sudden, when Borek came in, he was not. Not sure how you know that and how you would document it but facts are facts, McCloskey was better.

So you’re saying you find it impossible – not just improbable, but impossible – that Dick Umile’s interest or involvement changed over the years? That nothing, not health issues, personal issues, fatigue, boredom, age, nothing caused his interest and involvement to waver over the years? That he was absolutely every bit invested in the job 10 or 12 years into it as he was 4 or 5 years into it?

And that the college hockey landscape didn’t change over time either? That no doormat programs got their act together and become more competitive, that no programs that didn’t even exist earlier came into existence and added further competition to the mix?

And that nothing internal to the university – admissions, budget, support, facilities, etc. – ever changed?

Are you saying all of that because you really believe it, or because that’s the only way your position holds up in this discussion?

 

[E.J. Smith]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Oh yeah and I only watch college hockey, the World Jrs and Stanley Cup playoffs. To me it's only hockey worth watching.

It's totally an aside to the conversation here but that makes my day, I've been saying that for years. That's the best hockey, and I'd add prep to that list.

 

[zoofer]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Just catching up on the discussion and feel ancient! When you guys are discussing the teams of the mid-90's and that was 20 years ago now, how do you think I feel? Of all the back and forth that I've read, I have to agree with Dan 100% in his post about why kids go to a school, and it NOT being the facility....I mentioned on either this or another thread my conversation with Burke....he knows college and the NHL and every other league scouted for talent out there! When we discussed the impotence of UNH hockey now, we did talk $$$$. For myself, in the mid-70's, UNH cost me about $16K for 4 years.....for that to be 1 semester now, for a State school is more than crazy, however throw in a scholarship and it's the best place on earth to be! Every season is awesome.....getting side tracked. MY point being that UND might be $4400 but where the heck are you? UNH is 10 minutes to the ocean, 45 to Boston, 3 hours to Montreal, an hour to the mountains.....so if $$$ isn't the issue than what is? Whomever brought up the malaise that affects UNH now might be onto it,(Chuck, was that you?) The best example of this is take a look at the Whitt, down at the Zamboni end.....The History of UNH Men's Hockey is posted on the wall....our program's history...what we're most proud of....do you think that Media Relations, (whom I was told put together this feature), might want to include the University's 1st trip to the NCAA's?! Maybe mention the 2nd trip to the NCAA's?! I'm sorry but if this is simply a typo, why isn't it fixed yet, after nearly 5 years...anybody care.....anybody listening....the perfect example of what has happened over there!

 

[Greg Ambrose]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

So being an NHL caliber player doesn't indicate talent? And yes I am stating that DU involvement diminished during Borek's time here! And I'll also state a fact that starting in 2010ish he was not only not involved in recruiting he was removed from other parts of the program. When in the conference room with a recruit, DU had no idea who the player was, or howmuch he was offered, and spent mere minutes with the recruit, fact. And during the transition a recruit received more than originally was agreed upon because DU had no idea what was on the table, fact. Did SB short you in a payment or something, you're sure out for his hide. Unfortunately we'll never know his real impact here, say if UMass AD didn't back down at the last minute, or Providence gave him an interview? I'll reiterate what I said before, why'd the HC of an NC championship team hire a slug, I think at the time Brian was available. Oh and Brian rolled that recruiting prowess over to the other program and created a dynasty? Is my opinion indisputable? No. Oh yeah and I only watch college hockey, the World Jrs and Stanley Cup playoffs. To me it's only hockey worth watching.
Let's just agree to two things, the past is the past and what we all want is UNH to rise to relevancy sooner rather than later.

You're blabbing along here. I'll stick to the topic first discussed. You threw out a challenge that implied Borek had produced more All-Americans than McCloskey. I refuted that, in spades. So, instead of conceding, you throw out the number of players who made it to the NHL on Borek's watch. As Chuck rightly pointed out, most of them had a cup of coffee. Fritsch played one game, Thompson and Foster the same. If you want to go that route, fine. I'm just not interested because, to me (and I would dare say most others on this board), the priority is UNH winning, not producing cup of coffee NHLers. As for why Brian wasn't hired when he left the men's program? It was because he became head coach of the women. As for Borek, good luck to him and the Friars. Come back in a few years and we'll reassess. Okay?

 

[Greg Ambrose]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

The History of UNH Men's Hockey is posted on the wall....our program's history...what we're most proud of....do you think that Media Relations, (whom I was told put together this feature), might want to include the University's 1st trip to the NCAA's?! Maybe mention the 2nd trip to the NCAA's?! I'm sorry but if this is simply a typo, why isn't it fixed yet, after nearly 5 years...anybody care.....anybody listening....the perfect example of what has happened over there!

Neil, just about everything on that wall through the 1998-1999 season was written by me as part of the 75th anniversary program produced in the fall of 1999. Andy Leahy and I worked like dogs on that project and, to this day, we are proud of the finished product. Any ego I had, and it was very little, about those days producing BlueLines and that program are long gone. If Media Relations wants to take credit for what I wrote I really don't care. But it would bother me if what I wrote about the '74, '77 and '79 teams was edited or deleted. I'll have to check it out if, as planned, I go to the Women's Frozen Four. Peace.

 

[zoofer]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Honestly Greg, I was told media relations was the party in charge of the text.....And we can discuss it at the FF in a couple of weeks....btw,have you seen any advertising for that National event that is coming to UNH? I don't think anyone in Portsmouth is aware of any possible influx coming to the area....then again I don't get the restaurant hospitality tweets!

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Honestly Greg, I was told media relations was the party in charge of the text.....And we can discuss it at the FF in a couple of weeks....btw,have you seen any advertising for that National event that is coming to UNH? I don't think anyone in Portsmouth is aware of any possible influx coming to the area....then again I don't get the restaurant hospitality tweets!

It looks to me to be the exact layout and information they use in their media guides every year. It begins on page 94 of the 2010-11 version...

https://issuu.com/unhathletics/docs/2010-11_unh_men_s_hockey_media_guide

It must have been written by Greg. Haha, why else would they mention the founding of the Friends organization in September of 1972!? There is no mention of the '77 and '79 NCAA Tournaments in the guide either. I'm sure media relations edited the material to fit their media guide and just sent over the edited file to be blown up. Once edited it never made its way back in because the media guide has turned into just an annual recycle job with no new information, no new pictures and no changes except for the current team section.

 

[zoofer]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Thanks for looking up the facts Dan....maybe it burns me more than it should but being on that '77' team, it took us a long time to get there, and it would be nice if the University backed up their feigned enthusiasm for the program with actual effort.....if something as simple as getting a timeline correct can't be done......

 

[bomberhockey]

You're blabbing along here. I'll stick to the topic first discussed. You threw out a challenge that implied Borek had produced more All-Americans than McCloskey. I refuted that, in spades. So, instead of conceding, you throw out the number of players who made it to the NHL on Borek's watch. As Chuck rightly pointed out, most of them had a cup of coffee. Fritsch played one game, Thompson and Foster the same. If you want to go that route, fine. I'm just not interested because, to me (and I would dare say most others on this board), the priority is UNH winning, not producing cup of coffee NHLers. As for why Brian wasn't hired when he left the men's program? It was because he became head coach of the women. As for Borek, good luck to him and the Friars. Come back in a few years and we'll reassess. Okay?

I implied nothing about All Americans. You stated overall talent, and I replied with overall talent not All Americans. I sure hope Borek does well with Friars too. And I hope your right we soon will be arguing over UNH''s relevancy with the Friars and the other present HE elite. And that's all I have to say about that.

 

[Greg Ambrose]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Thanks for looking up the facts Dan....maybe it burns me more than it should but being on that '77' team, it took us a long time to get there, and it would be nice if the University backed up their feigned enthusiasm for the program with actual effort.....if something as simple as getting a timeline correct can't be done......

Neil, this morning I dug out a copy of the 75th anniversary program. The program was comprised of two bodies of work. First there was a narrative going from the early days right through the 1998-1999 season. That is where descriptions of team successes (and failures) are described. Mind you, this was a 14 page program, half of each page taken up with pictures, so the description of your teams and others was not in depth. The second part was a timeline showing highlights through the years. It focused on the individuals and their achievements (Frigon's 10 points vs. Colgate, Ralph's 4 goals vs. Clarkson, Fontas' 12 goals in 3 games) but there is mention of the team's as well.

I then looked at the media guides and, in the history section, everything in there, word for word, was what I wrote in the timeline section, but there is nothing from the narrative part. I was still on the FOH board when they first stuck this stuff in the media guide but, typical, they never asked for my assistance because, if they had, I would have told them to include the team accomplishments. What they basically did is cut and paste, nothing more. When the history wall went up I was a bit surprised that, again, no one talked to me. But, by that time I was off the board which, I am sad to say, has few members who are as an enthusiastic about the history as I am. Out of sight, out of mind I guess. Typical UNH I'm afraid.

Just as an aside, sometime in the late aughts Umile asked Andy and me to do an updated history. We demurred. It takes a lot of work, I was real busy at my work as was Andy, and we just didn't have the time to put in the effort. Now that I am retired I have thought of doing a history of the program but, of course, I would need the support of the University. I doubt it would be met with much enthusiasm so I am concentrating on my volunteer responsibilities here in Lynn, as well as my golf game, instead.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Honestly Greg, I was told media relations was the party in charge of the text.....And we can discuss it at the FF in a couple of weeks....btw,have you seen any advertising for that National event that is coming to UNH? I don't think anyone in Portsmouth is aware of any possible influx coming to the area....then again I don't get the restaurant hospitality tweets!

On the way down to the game last night I was surprised to hear a radio ad for the upcoming games (which I plan on going Sunday if I can get a tix). Didn't know you are a former player Zoofer that's pretty cool. Was sitting just a few seats away from Marty last night. I hope he knows/understands/has a clue...about how much the fans care about his program, but I do believe that's another thread on this board...

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

"Joe Sacco: UNH's Newest Commit"

 

[HockeyRef]

"Joe Sacco: UNH's Newest Commit"

Sounds like a nice two way forward with a good work ethic...and he has been schooled by his dad attitude wise. Like our incoming fiorwards!!

 

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

With U.Mass' coach on the hot seat, they have a commitment from the AJHL rookie of the year, a puck moving d. I wonder whether a late surprise might become available.

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=199655


CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
SEASON AWARDS BY SEASON
2014-2015 AMHL First All-Star Team
2015-2016 World Junior A Challenge All-Star Team
World Junior A Challenge Gold Medal
AWARDS BY LEAGUE
- AMHL First All-Star Team 14/15
- World Junior A Challenge All-Star Team 15/16
- World Junior A Challenge Gold Medal 15/16

make the call now. Take advantage of the situation that cost you Farabee and Ryczek. He's the next Troy Stecher.

any of our D have puck skills to do this? Quick vision and change stick position for quick pass. That's the powerplay qb able to distribute puck quickly when pressed.
<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">IN-GAME VIDEO: Dylan McCrory opens the scoring on a Cale Makar setup. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AJHL?src=hash">#AJHL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BBandits?src=hash">#BBandits</a> <a href="https://t.co/HaLuZqNQHl">pic.twitter.com/HaLuZqNQHl</a></p>— Brooks Bandits (@BrooksBandits) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrooksBandits/status/693275360868245504">January 30, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Agree with 'Watcher 100% ... this is the kind of opportunistic capture we need to see from MS to get things turned around. More than just this one, of course, but this would be a terrific first step and a huge statement of intent.

Or we can stand around, twiddle our thumbs, and let Luce or Borek beat us to the punch ... again.

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Agree with 'Watcher 100% ... this is the kind of opportunistic capture we need to see from MS to get things turned around. More than just this one, of course, but this would be a terrific first step and a huge statement of intent.

Or we can stand around, twiddle our thumbs, and let Luce or Borek beat us to the punch ... again.

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.

 

[Chuck Murray]

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.

I know you're being sarcastic about Borek getting the UMass job - that ship sailed, and I'm sure SB is happy working for the defending national champs - but if MS, GS or *gulp* DU don't pick up the phone, then shame on them. Watching Merrimack - yes, the mighty Warriors - dominate you over three games, and expose your lack of puck moving defensemen, really should be the wake-up call of all wake-up calls. 600 isn't going to happen with the same immobile, talent challenged group (plus Wyse) manning the UNH blue line again next season.

 

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">IN-GAME VIDEO: Cale Makar scores a beauty to tie it in the first! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AJHL?src=hash">#AJHL</a> <a href="https://t.co/2qdptUPOfp">pic.twitter.com/2qdptUPOfp</a></p>— Brooks Bandits (@BrooksBandits) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrooksBandits/status/706311402172993538">March 6, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2016 and Beyond

Hockydad is predicting Union's Ric Bennett, a Springfield native, getting the UMass job. UNH better move fast.