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Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond
May be nothing, but
As of July 19, 2017
May be nothing, but
As of July 19, 2017
now
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UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond
- Thread starter C-H-C
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Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond
That would be a big blow but I wouldnt be shocked either granted the current state of the UNH program and the lack of progress (Trending towards total rebuild mode, Big time goalie coach left to go to NHL, no other blue chip commits as of late)....hopefully its nothing.
That would be a big blow but I wouldnt be shocked either granted the current state of the UNH program and the lack of progress (Trending towards total rebuild mode, Big time goalie coach left to go to NHL, no other blue chip commits as of late)....hopefully its nothing.
HockeyRef
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Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond
https://twitter.com/JeffCoxSports/status/900165362284670976
BU, probably because BC has Knight.
And then there were none
https://twitter.com/JeffCoxSports/status/900165362284670976
BU, probably because BC has Knight.
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HockeyRef
Well-known member
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond
Sigh. Just so disappointing, if indeed this is true. Hey I realize this stuff happens and what's ever best for the athlete, is best for the athlete and this isn't about him. When will the 'Cats get a break?
Sigh. Just so disappointing, if indeed this is true. Hey I realize this stuff happens and what's ever best for the athlete, is best for the athlete and this isn't about him. When will the 'Cats get a break?
NCAA watcher
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Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond
Name a HE team whose recruits you would not trade for our remaining batch? Maybe Merrimack?
Name a HE team whose recruits you would not trade for our remaining batch? Maybe Merrimack?
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond
When they go into full rebuild mode when Souza takes over thats when. I think its going to be a while before UNH is back where they belong....if you want to compete with the BU/BC of the world you need to be AGGRESSIVE with recruiting. They are losing on that front. If they are going to wait and go the older kid route like UMass Lowell then go that way. Right now they arent getting the young studs and they arent getting the late bloomers. They are stuck in the middle and thats not where you want to be. Look at Umass Amherst and the job Carvel is doing - rebuilding with a top 3 recruiting class yet the team will still stink this year again but they are trending upwards. Where is UNH trending? It takes a while to instill a coaches vision and get the players they want....we are talking years and years and UNH program needs a massive shakeup and hopefully Souza is that change but having a great campus isnt enough nowadays to attract the best recruits you need to win too.
When they go into full rebuild mode when Souza takes over thats when. I think its going to be a while before UNH is back where they belong....if you want to compete with the BU/BC of the world you need to be AGGRESSIVE with recruiting. They are losing on that front. If they are going to wait and go the older kid route like UMass Lowell then go that way. Right now they arent getting the young studs and they arent getting the late bloomers. They are stuck in the middle and thats not where you want to be. Look at Umass Amherst and the job Carvel is doing - rebuilding with a top 3 recruiting class yet the team will still stink this year again but they are trending upwards. Where is UNH trending? It takes a while to instill a coaches vision and get the players they want....we are talking years and years and UNH program needs a massive shakeup and hopefully Souza is that change but having a great campus isnt enough nowadays to attract the best recruits you need to win too.
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond
Landed big recruit....then one of the best goalie coaches in the country leaves for NHL (which was probably the #1 reason why a goalie chooses a school since it so specialized)....then they add no recruits = losing big recruit. No brainer. If youre a young kid right now where are you going to pick if you dream of playing professional hockey one day BU/BC or UNH? No brainer right now. Not even in the same stratosphere.
Landed big recruit....then one of the best goalie coaches in the country leaves for NHL (which was probably the #1 reason why a goalie chooses a school since it so specialized)....then they add no recruits = losing big recruit. No brainer. If youre a young kid right now where are you going to pick if you dream of playing professional hockey one day BU/BC or UNH? No brainer right now. Not even in the same stratosphere.
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Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond
I don't think it's as big of a loss as you guys think. Programs like UNH and Maine need the good three and four year guys versus the great one year guy. I'm sure it's frustrating, but to get back to the days when you get thrashed in the frozen four it will take a different type of player than this kid.
I don't think it's as big of a loss as you guys think. Programs like UNH and Maine need the good three and four year guys versus the great one year guy. I'm sure it's frustrating, but to get back to the days when you get thrashed in the frozen four it will take a different type of player than this kid.
NCAA watcher
Registered User
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond
I don't see the Buckley connection, so doubt that was a reason. His advisor/coach was Brian Eklund.
Hard not to recognize kids voting with their skates: Foegele, Farabee, Ryczek, and now a kid who was briefly convinced to see a path forward. When you factor in that a new hire typcially has a brief window of high favorables in which to sell his vision and generate momentum, before reality of performance becomes the pre-eminent evaluation, that window now seems closed. I failed to see the track record of team building that might have led to a groundswell of interest by recruits in the first place, the "gee wiz, look at our history and how great Dick Umile is, and what a nice family we are" interviews didn't fill me with greater expectation, and it appears I am not alone. We talked about how important it was to get a "bell-cow" recruit to grab the market's attention, but after the bell-cow sat in the field all alone for 8 months, no wonder it wandered off.
I don't see the Buckley connection, so doubt that was a reason. His advisor/coach was Brian Eklund.
Hard not to recognize kids voting with their skates: Foegele, Farabee, Ryczek, and now a kid who was briefly convinced to see a path forward. When you factor in that a new hire typcially has a brief window of high favorables in which to sell his vision and generate momentum, before reality of performance becomes the pre-eminent evaluation, that window now seems closed. I failed to see the track record of team building that might have led to a groundswell of interest by recruits in the first place, the "gee wiz, look at our history and how great Dick Umile is, and what a nice family we are" interviews didn't fill me with greater expectation, and it appears I am not alone. We talked about how important it was to get a "bell-cow" recruit to grab the market's attention, but after the bell-cow sat in the field all alone for 8 months, no wonder it wandered off.
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Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond
Excellently put...."he bell-cow sat in the field all alone for 8 months, no wonder it wandered off" is the perfect summary.
I do however put a lot it on Buckley leaving (rightly or wrongly). I think a goalie coach of that stature is a huge attraction - working with Stanley Cup Champion goalies like Matt Murray/Marc Andre Fleury is impressive. Goalies dont really work with head coaches its about the goalie coach.
Excellently put...."he bell-cow sat in the field all alone for 8 months, no wonder it wandered off" is the perfect summary.
I do however put a lot it on Buckley leaving (rightly or wrongly). I think a goalie coach of that stature is a huge attraction - working with Stanley Cup Champion goalies like Matt Murray/Marc Andre Fleury is impressive. Goalies dont really work with head coaches its about the goalie coach.
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond
Well, this is just working out exactly as Dick and Marty envisioned isn't it? Looks like they were finally able to teach the young, inexperienced lad something about coaching at UNH in the 20teens! How to ignore recruiting and most specifically your top recruits in order to ensure your best don't end up on campus and you end up with low end talent. The UNH way as of late! I'm certainly glad Umile stuck around the past three years - and especially this last season - to instil this traditional value in Mike...
To DrewS - this is a HUGE blow. Goalies don't usually bolt after one year, even in the best scenarios. See rookie studs at BC, BU, UML all returning. And now UNH has no one to sell future commitments - young studs OR late bloomers. Not that they've taken advantage of that anyway...
I never was convinced about Souza's ability to turn UNH around. Now I am. He isn't the guy. He likely never was (with essentially no track record of real success before he arrived), but this three year plan has ruined any chance for success. It will be the next guy (maybe) - and even getting the next guy depends fully on Marty doing something he rarely, IF EVER, is willing to do. Remove a coach simply because a team is not winning and could improve with a new hire. There is a reason so many coaches have been at UNH for 20+ years inspite of extended struggles. A couple flash seasons and being a good person gets you the Umile lifetime deal it seems. As if winning regularly and being a good person are mutually exclusive. That attitude/strategy is why UNH is an underachieving ath dept and UNH Hockey is now a punchline...
UNH needs an aggressive recruiting, aim high, demand expectations, outspoken salesman to turn this around. At both the HC and AD levels. That has not been Mike Souza since the day he arrived, no matter how much people like him as a person. It has never been Scarano. Everyone likes Scott Borek too. Borek was at every showcase. Being likeable and working hard isn't enough on the ice, it's not enough on the bench either - it takes talent...
Well, this is just working out exactly as Dick and Marty envisioned isn't it? Looks like they were finally able to teach the young, inexperienced lad something about coaching at UNH in the 20teens! How to ignore recruiting and most specifically your top recruits in order to ensure your best don't end up on campus and you end up with low end talent. The UNH way as of late! I'm certainly glad Umile stuck around the past three years - and especially this last season - to instil this traditional value in Mike...
To DrewS - this is a HUGE blow. Goalies don't usually bolt after one year, even in the best scenarios. See rookie studs at BC, BU, UML all returning. And now UNH has no one to sell future commitments - young studs OR late bloomers. Not that they've taken advantage of that anyway...
I never was convinced about Souza's ability to turn UNH around. Now I am. He isn't the guy. He likely never was (with essentially no track record of real success before he arrived), but this three year plan has ruined any chance for success. It will be the next guy (maybe) - and even getting the next guy depends fully on Marty doing something he rarely, IF EVER, is willing to do. Remove a coach simply because a team is not winning and could improve with a new hire. There is a reason so many coaches have been at UNH for 20+ years inspite of extended struggles. A couple flash seasons and being a good person gets you the Umile lifetime deal it seems. As if winning regularly and being a good person are mutually exclusive. That attitude/strategy is why UNH is an underachieving ath dept and UNH Hockey is now a punchline...
UNH needs an aggressive recruiting, aim high, demand expectations, outspoken salesman to turn this around. At both the HC and AD levels. That has not been Mike Souza since the day he arrived, no matter how much people like him as a person. It has never been Scarano. Everyone likes Scott Borek too. Borek was at every showcase. Being likeable and working hard isn't enough on the ice, it's not enough on the bench either - it takes talent...
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HockeyRef
Well-known member
Drew your intentions are good (like mine!) but believe me...this IS huge. As a fan I found it exciting that UNH had caught a big fish and felt we were on the way to a revival that sure, would've taken a few seasons but felt it would indeed happen.
Right now I am not so sure of that; this one hurts and the ave fan in the seat won't realize the impact this has on the recruiting front. And sadly some are tired of it and really don't care.
Personally I wish Mike Souza the best and am pulling for him to succeed. He has the vision you want to see in a coach but his starting point is all up hill. But I guess ya gotta start some place.
I imagine they are rolling up their sleeves and are back at it. Finally I agree with the sentiments here; tradition is a wonderful thing but if it can't get you to the NHL it doesn't matter. Sorry to sound like a fair weather fan but this one is tough to swallow.
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NCAA watcher
Registered User
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond
As my pappy used to say, "it's all uphill from here."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVsibzl3zVs
As my pappy used to say, "it's all uphill from here."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVsibzl3zVs
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond
The apathy that currently pervades the UNH Hockey program knows no bounds.
The new guy hits the jackpot ... then sits on his hands waiting for the crowd to arrive.
Somewhere out there, Walshy is busting a gut, laughing and pointing at the folks in Durham NH.
The apathy that currently pervades the UNH Hockey program knows no bounds.
The new guy hits the jackpot ... then sits on his hands waiting for the crowd to arrive.
Somewhere out there, Walshy is busting a gut, laughing and pointing at the folks in Durham NH.
As tough as it would have been they should have gotten rid of Umile five years ago. I wonder who closely AD's follow recruiting. It's something they should take much more interest in. At Maine Tim's problems really started in 2004 and 2005 but he didn't get fired until 2013. If you guys make the NCAA's in the next six years it will be nothing short of a miracle.
Couldn't disagree more. Shawn understood UNH's value to Maine. I wouldn't be shocked if he even helped them out a bit here and there. It's not entirely a coincidence that Maine and UNH have ebbed and flowed in sync to a large degree.
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Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond
Golf season almost over, so back to coaching soon.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Look for new <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNH?src=hash">#UNH</a> volunteer goalie coach to be named soon Replaces <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MikeBuckley?src=hash">#MikeBuckley</a> now full time <a href="https://twitter.com/penguins">@penguins</a> goalie coach <a href="https://twitter.com/gdsgoalies">@gdsgoalies</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHHockey">@UNHHockey</a></p>— Mike Lowry (@UNHRecruitsCHC) <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHRecruitsCHC/status/900357427622813700">August 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Golf season almost over, so back to coaching soon.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Look for new <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNH?src=hash">#UNH</a> volunteer goalie coach to be named soon Replaces <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MikeBuckley?src=hash">#MikeBuckley</a> now full time <a href="https://twitter.com/penguins">@penguins</a> goalie coach <a href="https://twitter.com/gdsgoalies">@gdsgoalies</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHHockey">@UNHHockey</a></p>— Mike Lowry (@UNHRecruitsCHC) <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHRecruitsCHC/status/900357427622813700">August 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
How nice! And just in time!
Here's another tweet - a glimpse at what happens when you hire a proven recruiter, with an actual resume and don't tie him to an anchor for three years...
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">NZ Recruiting Class Rankings Updated. #1 <a href="https://twitter.com/UNDmhockey">@UNDmhockey</a>, #2 <a href="https://twitter.com/TerrierHockey">@TerrierHockey</a>, #3 <a href="https://twitter.com/UMassHockey">@UMassHockey</a>, #4 <a href="https://twitter.com/GopherHockey">@GopherHockey</a>, #5 <a href="https://twitter.com/DU_Hockey">@DU_Hockey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/collegehockey">@collegehockey</a> <a href="https://t.co/5y8SXOH5fu">pic.twitter.com/5y8SXOH5fu</a></p>— Neutral Zone (@_Neutral_Zone) <a href="https://twitter.com/_Neutral_Zone/status/900343876715778052">August 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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#UMass
But, I guess its really not fair to expect UNH to compete for recruits with the Minnesota State's of the world. For so many reasons (err, excuses), really...
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Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Expect Commesso, one of top goalies in age group, to land at BU where his goalie coach, Brian Eklund, is volunteer assistant. <a href="https://t.co/7GTmF5fIWy">https://t.co/7GTmF5fIWy</a></p>— Jeff Cox (@JeffCoxSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffCoxSports/status/900376860122652674">August 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Expect Commesso, one of top goalies in age group, to land at BU where his goalie coach, Brian Eklund, is volunteer assistant. <a href="https://t.co/7GTmF5fIWy">https://t.co/7GTmF5fIWy</a></p>— Jeff Cox (@JeffCoxSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffCoxSports/status/900376860122652674">August 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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