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UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond

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NCAA watcher said:
Kids are going in with their eyes open, convinced that they will survive the purges. The kids want to play for a coach that will demand excellence and a dog-eat-dog environment. North Dakota has been doing the same, though hardly to the magnitude of Wisconsin, and cutting kids before they arrive. Yet, because they win, players want to play for them, despite the risks.

And that ulitmately is the "risk" point. Without any binding obligations, kids are taking risks, and the teams have no risk, so they can give out promises like skittles. Force teams to sign something, and those offers will shrink.

And the emphasis of midget hockey and elite camps create the culture in players at age 15 and 16 that they are competing not just in games, but to be recognized as an elite prospect. Committing early validates that mentality for them. Back in the good old days, there was less of a national pecking order, so players didn't need that validation. But once the hockey industry kicked in, emphasizing off season training (lest you lose a fraction of your lifting ability, or your Vo2 stamina) the whole field becomes a competition, with advisors stoking that drive. Hence, getting recognized by a top program by getting an offer, is validation that you are "winning" the off season.
Click to expand...

Watcher, kids are not entering the process with their eyes wide open if they expect they all will survive. And, I should say, it’s not the kids who drive the process but their families, the coaches, and the family advisers. For the latter two, is it not a feather in their cap if they can tout that Johnny Wunderkind has committed to Wisconsin, Michigan, or North Dakota? They can sell this illusion of success for the next three years before the kid decommits and winds up at Merrimack or Lake State.

As much as I love college hockey and, really, college sports in general, the system is totally corrupt. One can say, I suppose, that both parties know what’s going on but, in reality, the colleges,,the coaches and the agents have made a devils pact and the kid and their parents are the ones sacrificed. And, never forget, the system is a lot, lot worse when it comes to football and basketball although the moral bankruptcy extends to every sport.
 
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond

piggybacking off of the other thread, and Mike's interviews, it is an interesting couple of points. It seems Glenn Stewart was the primary point person on identifying James Miller and Benton Maass (and perhaps the others). Even though we talk about Mike Souza's recruiting, it seems that Glenn is doing much of the legwork. If Mike is doing more coaching than recruiting (which is what I heard is his strength), that probably bears on the important point about next year having another recruiter on staff to help Glenn sell the program and leave Mike to coaching and "closing."

Re: Maass
Coach Stewart saw him in the NAHL Showcase. Glenn had first seen him before I did. We always try to cross, and sometimes you can't. So Glenn obviously did a great job of identifying Benton Maass. And so we had him on a visit, and he's a fabulous kid, and we're really looking forward to having a hand in his development.
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re: Miller
I think Glenn (Stewart) first saw him there [AJHL showcase]. Later in the process, after we had made official contact with Miller, we contacted a former UNH player familiar with the hockey scene in Alberta. It was nice to have a UNH guy out there that we could call and say, "What kind of kid is that?" and he gave James rave reviews, and that means a lot.
Click to expand...

I wonder who the former UNH Alberta player is. Hardowa?
 
NCAA watcher said:
piggybacking off of the other thread, and Mike's interviews, it is an interesting couple of points. It seems Glenn Stewart was the primary point person on identifying James Miller and Benton Maass (and perhaps the others). Even though we talk about Mike Souza's recruiting, it seems that Glenn is doing much of the legwork. If Mike is doing more coaching than recruiting (which is what I heard is his strength), that probably bears on the important point about next year having another recruiter on staff to help Glenn sell the program and leave Mike to coaching and "closing."

Re: Maass


re: Miller


I wonder who the former UNH Alberta player is. Hardowa?
Click to expand...

I’ve been saying for awhile now that the most important decision Souza will make in his new career is selecting the right guy as a recruiter. It may wind up being someone from outside the UNH family, maybe even outside of Hockey East, but this person has to have those qualities that all good recruiters need - eye for talent, a gift for gab, tremendous energy, and dogged tenacity. Let’s hope for the best.
 
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond

<div class="cms_table"><table class="cms_table"><tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">2017-18</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">2018-19</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">2019-20</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">2020-21</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Shane Eiserman</td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">M.McNicholas</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Angus Crookshank</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Angus Crookshank</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Angus Crookshank</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr"><
<td class="cms_table_td">J.Salvaggio</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Eric Esposito</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Eric Esposito</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Eric Esposito</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Marcus Vela</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Marcus Vela</td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">A. Nazarian</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">A. Nazarian</td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Chris Miller</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Chris Miller</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Jackson Pierson</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Jackson Pierson</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Frank Cefalu</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Frank Cefalu</td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Liam Blackburn</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Liam Blackburn</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Liam Blackburn</td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">BVR</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">BVR</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">BVR</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Connor Sweeney</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Patrick Grasso</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Patrick Grasso</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Patrick Grasso</td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Justin Fregona</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Justin Fregona</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Justin Fregona</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Marek Wazny</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Joe Sacco</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Joe Sacco</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Joe Sacco</td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Eric MacAdams</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Eric MacAdams</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Eric MacAdams</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Eric MacAdams</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Charlie Kelleher</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Charlie Kelleher</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Charlie Kelleher</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Charlie Kelleher</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Kohei Sato</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Kohei Sato</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Kohei Sato</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Kohei Sato</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">_________</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">J.Cipollone</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">J.Cipollone</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">J.Cipollone</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#GG0000">DEFENSE</font></td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#GG0000">DEFENSE</font></td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#GG0000">DEFENSE</font></td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#GG0000">DEFENSE</font></td>
</tr>

<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Max Gildon</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Max Gildon</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Max Gildon</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Max Gildon??</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Dylan Chanter</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Corson Green</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Corson Green</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Corson Green</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Cam Marks</td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Rich Boyd</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Liam Darcy</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Liam Darcy</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Liam Darcy</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Benton Maass</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Benton Maass</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Benton Maass</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Benton Maass</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">James Miller</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">James Miller</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">James Miller</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">James Miller</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Anthony Wyse</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Anthony Wyse</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Anthony Wyse</td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Matt Dawson</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Matt Dawson</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Lucas Bahn</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Lucas Bahn</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Nick Nonis</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Nick Nonis</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Ryan Verrier</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Ryan Verrier</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr"></tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#GG0000">GOAL</font></td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#GG0000">GOAL</font></td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#GG0000">GOAL</font></td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#GG0000">GOAL</font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Danny Tirone</td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Adam Clark</td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
<td class="cms_table_td"><font color="#FF0000">TBD</font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" class="cms_table_tr">
<td class="cms_table_td">Mike Robinson</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Mike Robinson</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Mike Robinson</td>
<td class="cms_table_td">Mike Robinson</td>
</tr>
</table>
 
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Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond

Re: watcher's table (which I couldn't successfully copy into this post):

With the caveat that an incoming freshman is seldom an actual replacement for a departing senior at least in the first couple seasons (e.g., skill development, experience), I see three upgrades in the defensive core: Corson Green for Chanter, Lucas Bahn for Dawson, and Ryan Verrier for Nonis.
 
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond

I agree with your statements. But living up to my half empty reputation, would note that the upgrades are for our 8th and 9th defensemen (Nonis being a likely pure walk on), with the upgrade being to a 6 and 7th sort of defensemen, and the open spot TBD for our 3rd guy (Marks).

I'd also note that the replacements for the current forwards are downgrades. Crookshank is about at McNicholas' level, perhaps a bit higher. But there is no current replacement for Eiserman, and I put Esposito in the Salvaggio group, but he has none of the offensive upside -- he's essentially a 3rd/4th line energy guy. The replacements for Vela and Nazarian coming up for 2019 are TBD, and Wazny has had a rough adjustment to the NAHL.

And the other big TBD is the goalies or goalie (if they roll over Clark, which I doubt).
So, within the next two months we really should hear about Eiserman and the two goalies. For Marks, I suspect given the amount of D they have, that they may view Miller as being his replacement even though he was brought in this year, so not have a full scholarship sort of replacement.
 
NCAA watcher said:
I agree with your statements. But living up to my half empty reputation, would note that the upgrades are for our 8th and 9th defensemen (Nonis being a likely pure walk on), with the upgrade being to a 6 and 7th sort of defensemen, and the open spot TBD for our 3rd guy (Marks).

I'd also note that the replacements for the current forwards are downgrades. Crookshank is about at McNicholas' level, perhaps a bit higher. But there is no current replacement for Eiserman, and I put Esposito in the Salvaggio group, but he has none of the offensive upside -- he's essentially a 3rd/4th line energy guy. The replacements for Vela and Nazarian coming up for 2019 are TBD, and Wazny has had a rough adjustment to the NAHL.

And the other big TBD is the goalies or goalie (if they roll over Clark, which I doubt).
So, within the next two months we really should hear about Eiserman and the two goalies. For Marks, I suspect given the amount of D they have, that they may view Miller as being his replacement even though he was brought in this year, so not have a full scholarship sort of replacement.
Click to expand...

Your take on the forwards for the next year or two makes sense. Someone to replace Eiserman is important. There may be a little more flexibility for Marks and Tirone replacements. Both Boyd and Clark have a redshirt year they could use next season.
 
C-H-C said:
Both Boyd and Clark have a redshirt year they could use next season.
Click to expand...

Assuming both are on schedule and graduate in the spring they can choose to play elsewhere. The transfer is a freebie. I would think Boyd with assuming he plays fairly regularly will have 85-95 games experience at a position experience is most valuable would be in demand to replace either an unexpected early departure or if multiple defensemen need to be replace to better balance a class. If Clark is relagated to backup and he knows it pick a place he’d get a chance to start or at least with 30 games experience have a leg up. Or possibly be a backup on a team with a better chance then UNH to win national championship. I would think he’s not getting much scholarship money now so a cheap backup option.

It’s an option that had quite a few teams use. sCSU got the BU backup, BC took the Michigan Dman Lohan to get defensive experience and a senior, BU got Melanson to give experience up front/provide him with a situation to excel like his freshman year, PC picked up Davis giving them 90+ games of experience in replacing 4 Dmen, UMass augmented their bumper crop of freshmen by adding Rufo.
 
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond

cavbim said:
Assuming both are on schedule and graduate in the spring they can choose to play elsewhere. The transfer is a freebie.
Click to expand...

See Agosta, Justin, or "Firestarter" as he is now known around there here parts. :D

I can absolutely see Clark pursuing that option. Boyd, perhaps less so, but I wouldn't rule it out.
 
Dan said:
They, apparently, picked up a third commit today, too. What they're doing is verbaling as many young prospects as they can and, in essence, giving themselves exclusive communication rights while they complete evaluations and keep their options open. Then when the time comes they cut loose the kids that don't make the 'grade' or for whom upgrades have been unearthed (Gildon). Those recruits are then left scrambling to find any school that still has scholarship money remaining or is willing to cut loose one of their own commitments...

It's standard operating procedure for a number of coaches across many sports and the number one reason why no one should have any ill will towards kids changing their own minds on commitments (Commesso included)...
Click to expand...

Now a days the commitment means nothing. Coaches are talking to family advisors all the time and will keep talking until the kid signs an NLI.
 
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond

Josh Prokop is touring the UConn campus Huskies today and the Quinnipiac Bobcats Wednesday before visiting three more NCAA schools next week. Those two starry Vernon Viper forwards are expected to commit to Division 1 universities soon.
Click to expand...

I'd guess we might be on Prokop.
 
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond

So, today is the half-year anniversary of UNH's last recruit, Jackson Peirson back in April. Other than Dartmouth (January) and Canisius (March) that is the largest gap of any college teams. Given the immediate needs for next year, an impact goalie or two, and probably one or two forwards (they graduate 3 top 6 line forwards, McNicholas, Salvaggio and Eiserman, but have only one impact forward in the fold, Crookshank), I am curious about the UNH recruiting schedule. Something has to break. Are they waiting for a de-commitment come the November signing period? This also combines with the gap in recruiting a couple of years out, where UNH does not have any of the nearly 200 top 01s, 02s and 03s that have committed. It is a decided change from the volume approach by Borek, who secured commitments every two months or so.

Time will tell, but the gap and the absence of early commitments is fairly a-typical for all of college hockey.
 
NCAA watcher said:
So, today is the half-year anniversary of UNH's last recruit, Jackson Peirson back in April. Other than Dartmouth (January) and Canisius (March) that is the largest gap of any college teams. Given the immediate needs for next year, an impact goalie or two, and probably one or two forwards (they graduate 3 top 6 line forwards, McNicholas, Salvaggio and Eiserman, but have only one impact forward in the fold, Crookshank), I am curious about the UNH recruiting schedule. Something has to break. Are they waiting for a de-commitment come the November signing period? This also combines with the gap in recruiting a couple of years out, where UNH does not have any of the nearly 200 top 01s, 02s and 03s that have committed. It is a decided change from the volume approach by Borek, who secured commitments every two months or so.

Time will tell, but the gap and the absence of early commitments is fairly a-typical for all of college hockey.
Click to expand...

With every passing week it becomes more likely that next year's class is finished and Boyd/Clark return for their redshirt senior seasons to fill the holes on the blue line and in the crease.

When Boyd has been healthy he has played. Hes not exactly a pro prospect and with his health issues he might as well stay and work towards a masters degree, while playing on the third pairing alongside Corson Green or Matt Dawson. If he leaves and the third pair is Green and Dawson, UNH will be OK. The D really only needs another pick-up for next season if Gildon bolts...

UNH hasn't cared much for goalie competitions - I'm not sure they're interested in bringing in a goalie to compete with Robinson when they have a capable back-up (who seems content with the role) in Clark. I would hope they've discussed this with Clark and are aware of whether he plans to stay, graduate or transfer.

If they are looking - recent USHL goalie of the week Filip Larson (a Red Wings draft pick) is off to a 4-1-0, 1.62, .936 start through five games in the USHL. He was also very strong in his U20 league last season and has played internationally with Sweden...

As such, I think the only immediate need for next year would be a forward or two. But who's left? As has been discussed it's hard to count on saving classes annually with decommits and late bloomers who end up ready to make immediate impacts. Wisconsin just dumped another kid - unfortunately Trenton Bliss has just two goals and five points in 31 career USHL games. THAT is usually the type of player that ends up back on the market - not the Max Gildon's of the world...

Next year, as is, UNH should be better defensively as the crucial young D grow up, at least the same in net as they turn it over to Robinson (with the same back-up) and less talented at forward. Though issues with overall forward talent may be masked by the continued growth of Nazarian, Vela, Grasso, BVR, Blackburn, Kelleher. It will be when next year's freshmen class gets older that the lack of F talent becomes apparent and problematic...
 
Last edited:
NCAA watcher said:
So, today is the half-year anniversary of UNH's last recruit, Jackson Peirson back in April. Other than Dartmouth (January) and Canisius (March) that is the largest gap of any college teams.

Time will tell, but the gap and the absence of early commitments is fairly a-typical for all of college hockey.
Click to expand...

Haha, as of 2:19 pm today @HockeyCommits reports on Twitter that Dartmouth has received a verbal from Deerfield's Thomas Gale for 2019-2020. So now it's UNH and Canisius...
 
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond

NCAA watcher said:
So, today is the half-year anniversary of UNH's last recruit, Jackson Peirson back in April. Other than Dartmouth (January) and Canisius (March) that is the largest gap of any college teams. Given the immediate needs for next year, an impact goalie or two, and probably one or two forwards (they graduate 3 top 6 line forwards, McNicholas, Salvaggio and Eiserman, but have only one impact forward in the fold, Crookshank), I am curious about the UNH recruiting schedule. Something has to break. Are they waiting for a de-commitment come the November signing period? This also combines with the gap in recruiting a couple of years out, where UNH does not have any of the nearly 200 top 01s, 02s and 03s that have committed. It is a decided change from the volume approach by Borek, who secured commitments every two months or so.

Time will tell, but the gap and the absence of early commitments is fairly a-typical for all of college hockey.
Click to expand...

Worry not, 'Watcher. Dynamite Mike is on the case. He's selling a program that's now sitting atop Hockey East, and breathing hard on the Top 10. Now is the time for optimism. The recruits will be tripping over themselves out on Rte. 4 any day now. 14 year old pre-prep stars and 21 year old Canadians alike, everyone wants in. Just you wait and see.
 
Chuck Murray said:
Worry not, 'Watcher. Dynamite Mike is on the case. He's selling a program that's now sitting atop Hockey East, and breathing hard on the Top 10. Now is the time for optimism. The recruits will be tripping over themselves out on Rte. 4 any day now. 14 year old pre-prep stars and 21 year old Canadians alike, everyone wants in. Just you wait and see.
Click to expand...

We need some Finns!
 
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