With all due respect Dan, why would any top-end talent want to join a team that lost 6 games last season to the likes of Bentley (5-1), Colorado College (4-3), Arizona State (5-4), Dartmouth (5-1), and Yukon (5-3, 4-2), along with a 2-2 tie against mighty AHC powerhouse Sacred Heart? I still think that Umile pulling Tirone when down 4-1 to Dartmouth in Hanover last season was about the most disrespectful, if not stupidest, thing that I have seen a college hockey coach do to his players in recent memory. Save that treatment of players for the locker room, I say.
Because UNH is historically an extremely successful and prestigious NCAA hockey program that can sell recruits on being part of an exciting, rewarding and even quick (if done right) turn-around.
Because academically, UNH has a strong offering of highly regarded majors, a large alumni network, newer academic buildings, smaller class sizes and opportunity. Without any notable barriers to entry for less talented students.
Because the location is great, the campus is beautiful, Boston and the mountains are an hour away, Portsmouth and the beaches are even closer and Durham is a great town.
Because the Whitt is still a MUCH better facility than most in college hockey and the atmosphere is virtually unmatched in its prime and being the player who brings that back would be epic.
Because elite kids are dying to verbal and being the first one to ask carries A LOT of weight. The first elite kid will attract another then another (assuming you don't land one and sit on your hands...)
Because UNH has a history of turning average forwards into top talents and top forwards into Hobey candidates.
Because at all positions UNH plays a fast-paced game revolving around skating and skill and produces gaudy offensive production.
Because there is opportunity for immediate playing time and the ability to make an impact or lead the team as a FR.
Because UNH has sent a lot of players to very successful pro careers - and despite recent struggles still currently boasts NHLers in JVR, TVR, Pesce, Winnik and Smith with Thompson, Sislo, TK and Poturalski sniffing the fringes...
Because UNH hockey has such a family atmosphere that I lost count of how many alumni - most who were nowhere near actually playing with Josh Ciocco - are financially assisting him in his health scare.
Because it's DI hockey with significant scholarship money available.
Because they play in the deepest and most competitive hockey conference in the country. And they (used to) consistently play one of the most challenging non-conference schedules, which meant you'd be on TV and in front of a number of scouts almost every night.
There is SO much to sell at UNH - they just need a good salesman, good coaching and strong athletic department support. You could question whether they have any at the moment. That's what's hurting recruiting. Not UNH and what it has to offer. The people doing the job. Perhaps Souza is the right guy once he's or from under Umile's thumb, but that is lookin less and less likely. The right guy recruits too and wins at UNH, without any problems...
It may be easier to win at other schools. Maybe out of 100 coaches 95 could win at a very good level at BC or BU and only 65 could at UNH. That's still pretty good odds. Support the program as an AD and ensure you have one of those 65 'right guy' coaches. Then enjoy the winning and great recruiting..
Hastings is winning at Minnesota St - a place where it was 'impossible' to win just a few years ago. Bergeron is turning BG around - a place where it was so hard to win they almost cut the program. Pearson won at Tech - a place where it was 'impossible' to win forever! Murray has WMU as a power - despite the fact that it used to be a place where you just couldn't compete. Blaise turned Omaha into a recruiting destination - before his arrival no one wanted to play there and they didn't win. Blast lands top talent at Miami - before he arrived it was 'impossible' to attract recruits to a losing program in the middle of no where.
It's not the school, admissions, facilities or the record. AD support, coaching, recruiting and actually believing you're worth a **** is what wins. UNH is missing THAT.
If UNH admin and coaches continue to half-heartedly support the program, be satisfied with the coaching and recruiting we're seeing today, whine about what the university doesn't haveor worse, whine about not winning while doing zip to increase the chances of...winning...this is who they'll always be.
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