UNH Hockey 2023 Off Season Thread Turn and Face the Strange

[Snively65]

Thanks; so betting its 2 dmen as I do not think KE is returning. At least...no one has said he is, or no announcements that I am aware
of, say he is...

What about Sam Court (‘04, Winnipeg) and Ryan Philbrick (‘04, Concord, N.H.) who are listed as incoming D-men on CHN?

 

[HockeyRef]

What about Sam Court (‘04, Winnipeg) and Ryan Philbrick (‘04, Concord, N.H.) who are listed as incoming D-men on CHN?

Sam has de-committed...believe he wanted to come this season and at the time UNH had no room in the Inn (prior to Carfagna announcing he was leaving) Think he was a 2024 commit.

As for Philbrick am not sure about him..thought I saw something about him on a CHC tweet...(Mike Lowry) Will take anotjer look.

Lets Go Hurricanes! PESCE!!!

 

[Robert Balin]

Sam has de-committed...believe he wanted to come this season and at the time UNH had no room in the Inn (prior to Carfagna announcing he was leaving) Think he was a 2024 commit.

As for Philbrick am not sure about him..thought I saw something about him on a CHC tweet...(Mike Lowry) Will take anotjer look.

Lets Go Hurricanes! PESCE!!!

You always make room for players that are excelling earlier than one thought they would. This has been an on going problem that UNH has no plans on fixing i guess.

 

[Chuck Murray]

I'm more interested to see how Cy LeClerc / Liam Devlin do this season...development wise that is...Of course Conmy and all incoming Frosh will have the learning curve of D1 hockey to deal with...but yeah, he does look like a promising forward coming in.

Remember "promising" soph Robert Cronin this time last year? How did this year go for him? Or Huard even??

That said...the pressure is going to be sky high for that team...or is it?

There will be HUGE pressure for sure, but I'm not sure if the lame duck coaching staff will succeed in passing the urgency to perform along to the players. Now, if the coaching staff had a track record of developing talent for the next level, I could see their players getting behind him for their mutual benefit, BUT ... no, it will end in tears, more of the most talented remaining players will head to next year's portal, rinse and repeat, what a waste of a year.

 

[HockeyRef]

Remember "promising" soph Robert Cronin this time last year? How did this year go for him? Or Huard even??



There will be HUGE pressure for sure, but I'm not sure if the lame duck coaching staff will succeed in passing the urgency to perform along to the players. Now, if the coaching staff had a track record of developing talent for the next level, I could see their players getting behind him for their mutual benefit, BUT ... no, it will end in tears, more of the most talented remaining players will head to next year's portal, rinse and repeat, what a waste of a year.

Should have mentioned Cronin for sure. This in itself (the failure to develop players) to me is a huge red flag...am I wrong to expect that?

I mean some are going to develop because they are just that good..but most will need / benefit greatly from sound coaching experiences.

 

[NCAA watcher]

Remember "promising" soph Robert Cronin this time last year? How did this year go for him?

https://www.eliteprospects.com/playe.../robert-cronin

The one who had 8 points in the USHL as a 19 year old, and 15 points in 25 games as a midget player?

His career has been up and down well before he reached MS7. Sort of like Devlin. At least there's been more good than bad with Devlin, but neither were "I can't believe MS7 stalled his development." More, "why are these sorts of kids being recruited for our first line rather than bottom six?"

Interesting that Philbrick was picked in USHL draft, suggesting he will not be coming in this year, but so far the MacPherson twins have not been spoken for by any junior team despite being hot prospects. I don't see the scholarship space for them at UNH up front unless more changes, but still would have expected Brooks or Penticton or USHL teams to draft them. Maybe MS7 is willing to take younger kids early even though it would not benefit the immediate results?

 

[Robert Balin]

https://www.eliteprospects.com/playe.../robert-cronin

The one who had 8 points in the USHL as a 19 year old, and 15 points in 25 games as a midget player?

His career has been up and down well before he reached MS7. Sort of like Devlin. At least there's been more good than bad with Devlin, but neither were "I can't believe MS7 stalled his development." More, "why are these sorts of kids being recruited for our first line rather than bottom six?"

Interesting that Philbrick was picked in USHL draft, suggesting he will not be coming in this year, but so far the MacPherson twins have not been spoken for by any junior team despite being hot prospects. I don't see the scholarship space for them at UNH up front unless more changes, but still would have expected Brooks or Penticton or USHL teams to draft them. Maybe MS7 is willing to take younger kids early even though it would not benefit the immediate results?

I myself would bring the Bradshaw kid in before the twins if that's Souza's intentions.Or if nothing else tell him he's coming in next year and not 2025. The 14th pick in the OHL draft should not be a 20 year old Freshmen.I'll give Souza credit for bringing in Conmy a year early. Hopefully this is a new trend so he doen't have to bring in 20 year olds that put up 5-10 points a year they already have too many as it is.

 

[NCAA watcher]

14th pick in the leftover draft*, not the primary draft. He's intriguing given his size, but not at the level of the twins.

*the under 16 draft of players not selected in the 15 rounds (280 players) of last year's 15 year old draft.

 

[Robert Balin]

14th pick in the leftover draft*, not the primary draft. He's intriguing given his size, but not at the level of the twins.

*the under 16 draft of players not selected in the 15 rounds (280 players) of last year's 15 year old draft.

Oh ok didn't know that thanks for the info. I have seen some video and he has good size and skates well.There is a defensmen in the USHL from Belarus. Artyom Levshunov 6'2 2005bd. 200 pounds 13-29-42. he's uncommitted.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Interesting that Philbrick was picked in USHL draft, suggesting he will not be coming in this year, but so far the MacPherson twins have not been spoken for by any junior team despite being hot prospects. I don't see the scholarship space for them at UNH up front unless more changes, but still would have expected Brooks or Penticton or USHL teams to draft them. Maybe MS7 is willing to take younger kids early even though it would not benefit the immediate results?

Nothing has worked yet doing things the other way ... shame he didn't consider changing his approach earlier, rather than waiting until he was walking on the precipice of his D-1 coaching future ...

 

[NCAA watcher]

Oh ok didn't know that thanks for the info. I have seen some video and he has good size and skates well.

well, unlike the MacPhersons who have no junior connections yet, Bradshaw first committed to the BCHL, then committed to Brooks in the AJHL, and was now drafted in the USHL draft. He'll have lots of options.

 

[HockeyRef]

Nothing has worked yet doing things the other way ... shame he didn't consider changing his approach earlier, rather than waiting until he was walking on the precipice of his D-1 coaching future ...

Expecting alot as he tends to follow the Umile play book...how's that been working out for him? Sorry, it's a snarky kind of day.com

 

[Snively65]

well, unlike the MacPhersons who have no junior connections yet, Bradshaw first committed to the BCHL, then committed to Brooks in the AJHL, and was now drafted in the USHL draft. He'll have lots of options.

If Philbrick, the MacPherson twins, and Bradshaw are not coming to Durham for the coming season, MS7 needs to try the portal for Seamus Powell, Fr, D, at BC, and Killian Kierkegaard-Olson, Fr, F, at Maine. Just trying to remain engaged here.

 

[Snively65]

Appreciate the perspectives here from you all..reading the twitter stuff makes it clear that this B's team, loaded with talent, wasn't built for the 'crash and bang' of the playoffs. (They did no crashing and banging, tho, so maybe that's not a fair assessment). Someone's head (s) are going to roll most likely, because that's what happens. Just too bad a guy like Bergy can earn only 1 cup, but there's tons of other great players that never won any so....Just goes to show you that if you show up, do the basics, you can get it done, the Bruins sure did make it easy for them which to me, is the worst part of all of this.

Thinking about our 'Cats, here it is May 1 and we still have roster spots open although I'm sure other teams do as well. Hoping we hear some news on Siedem, one way or the other. Like you said Chuck he's prob the best we can hope for out of the portal. Would love to see him come play for us! Imagine that the decision has already been made; just a matter
of time before we hear what that choice is...

At this point am hoping one of our UNHer's still in the game (Pesce/Foegele) go far; noticed you did not mention the Canes as a contender? And Edmonton seems like they can put it together. At this point, and after what happened to the Bruins, I guess anything is possible. Anyone but Toronto, and of course, the Panthers. HA!

Wouldn't it be something if Bruce Cassidy takes the VK all the way? (VK all the way; kind of has a nice ring to it).

Foegele went for 0 points in game 1, but Pesce scored a goal in his game 1.

 

[Whalers]

I have a solution - I have at least 2 years of eligibility left, I am a "proven" goal scorer, but more importantly, will play for free. Cant be any worse for the W-L totals than what they have left (or maybe say, hasn't left, walked out the door, been exposed as D3 talent, or another teams reject in the portal). The best part? Rich can take care of "business" early, make me a player / coach 1/3rd of the way in the season (will also coach for free) and then I continue the drain. Once again, how is this going to be worse than what we got?? I then start a buy 1 hockey ticket, get 1 hoop ticket "Free" to drum up business and fans for Lundholm. No one is going to the H games by then, the downtown establishments are thrilled to close early to save on employee costs and wear-n-tear on the buildings in advance ......... Of the New Coach!

AD Rich??? AD Rich???? Did you hear that??? How is the current "plan" any different? Or offer better potential results?

 

[NCAA watcher]

Nothing has worked yet doing things the other way ... shame he didn't consider changing his approach earlier, rather than waiting until he was walking on the precipice of his D-1 coaching future ...

Oh, he's not changing. Otherwise there'd be more space being created up front via the portal, and they would not have brought Blaisdell back as a graduate student. They're done up front. On backend Carfagna caught them by surprise, and their first choice to fill the gap Siedem declined. So now it will be Powell, or someone like him, and an 8th defenseman for depth they lost via Nico Davita returning to Ferris.

Overall still heavily dependent upon Sardarian making a jump as a soph, and Ring/Comney being able to produce offense as freshmen. I think you know what you have in Leclerc, enough to center one of the two top lines, and Devlin too. That leaves 1st line RW, can Cafarelli finally be consistent enough, or does Cronin play better, or does Skraskins make the sophomore jump?

Questions but I'd bet some of them pan out and the offense is slightly better than last year. Defense regresses with Carfagna leaving (he played well but would have been great as a sophomore).

Goalie will remain a position where they probably hope but don't expect Muszelik to steal games, just be competent. Think Mike Robinson.

 

[HockeyRef]

Oh, he's not changing. Otherwise there'd be more space being created up front via the portal, and they would not have brought Blaisdell back as a graduate student. They're done up front. On backend Carfagna caught them by surprise, and their first choice to fill the gap Siedem declined. So now it will be Powell, or someone like him, and an 8th defenseman for depth they lost via Nico Davita returning to Ferris.

Overall still heavily dependent upon Sardarian making a jump as a soph, and Ring/Comney being able to produce offense as freshmen. I think you know what you have in Leclerc, enough to center one of the two top lines, and Devlin too. That leaves 1st line RW, can Cafarelli finally be consistent enough, or does Cronin play better, or does Skraskins make the sophomore jump?

Questions but I'd bet some of them pan out and the offense is slightly better than last year. Defense regresses with Carfagna leaving (he played well but would have been great as a sophomore).

Goalie will remain a position where they probably hope but don't expect Muszelik to steal games, just be competent. Think Mike Robinson.

You don't think Fitzgerald is going to be at least as competent as Carfagna? Or.close after the usual D1 learning curve? Would agree it's too bad he left.

 

[NCAA watcher]

Not as good as Carfagna, plus he'll be a frosh learning the speed, where Carfagna already got the rookie learning curve. And that still leaves Kalle's open spot, where Fitz was going to replace him. Now there a hole.

 

[Chuck Murray]

There are holes everywhere. And not just "filling in the lines" holes in the roster. HUGE "holes" in terms of truly having no first line/first pairing talents on the roster, period. There's probably a small handful of players currently on the UNH roster who would be able to capably fill a second line/second pairing slot on a winning D-1 program. And after that, it's bottom six or low-level D-1 or run of the mill D-3 level talents filling out the remainder of the roster slots.

I remember when we first started to notice this phenomenon, about a decade ago, give or take, when UNH would still have some top end talents on the roster, but the next level depth-wise would look like an accumulation of 3rd and 4th liners populating the second through fourth lines, and similar slippage on the blue line too. Even in goal, where it's a pretty straight downwards line over the last decade, from DeSmith to Tirone to Robinson, and now Mucinex. The only notable aberration I can recall is the brief period later in the Umile Era when UNH had size and mobility on the backline with TvR, Pesce, Knodel, Agosta, and later Cleland. That didn't last long, but that was it.

And now here we are, with a small handful of second line/pairing guys trying to masquerade as top line HEA D-1 talents, and the "depth" being made up of not anything better than a slew of 3rd liners and borderline D-1 players. It's been pretty grim, and it's getting even grimmer, while the only hope to elevate the team (i.e. the ability to coach-up and develop these players) rests with a staff that hasn't shown it has that ability.

Say what you will about Coach Umile, but players under his leadership did develop (not always, but enough) and if you want to credit him OR his ability to hire and retain good teachers (Tortorella and Borek come to mind in the latter half of Umile's career) - OR both - some players did get to earn a living in the NHL for a considerable period of time. That's not happening any more. The program is broken, and has been for awhile now.

I think the most depressing part of where we are right now is, AD Rich has decided to leave MS7 and his staff in place for another year of this squalid deterioration. She has to know the history of Souza's reign up to this point, and she even got to experience one of the "oasis" moments where MS7's team goes on a roll and (like Charlie Brown approaching the Lucy-held football) thinking that, "yes, maybe this time'll be different".

I can show you with this brief visual below just how "different" this season is gonna be ...

 

[Chuck Murray]

... and in failing to do what is SO blatantly obviously necessary NOW, AD Rich leaves us with two potential outcomes: one, the one that should be happening NOW; and two, let's say next season's "Souza Mirage" lasts longer, the league is even further down that last season, and somehow MS7 and Co. have a seventh place finish within touching distance of .500, and even manages to eke out a win or two in the MBPBEGAM playoffs to sneak into Boston before UNH gets waxed by fill-in-the-blank. Is that extension worthy? Measured against MS7, it is; measured against Herrion, it isn't. AD Rich has set the standard with the Herrion action, no? So why not just go ahead and do it NOW?!?

Spring is a quiet time for the UNH AD, Spring intercollegiate sports at UNH are fairly limited, and the Men's Hoops work is all done and dusted. Why not act NOW on Men's Hockey?? The budget thing is a false (and demonstrably) weak argument, as constant discussion on here has shown.

Unless the (inexplicable) plan is to give UNH alum Souza every last chance to "earn" an extension?

Lastly ... RIP to Petr Klima, aged 58, the guy who the Dead Wings practiced on with smuggling in Eastern Bloc players in their prime, a strategy that would lead to Fedorov and Kozlov and a few Stanley Cups a decade later. Klima by all accounts lived life in the fast lane, and it's sad but not shocking to have seen his obit yesterday. Probably never a good sign for living a long clean and sober life when your bestie is Bob Probert, but they'll always have the infamous Goose Loonies incident from May 1988 to look back on. Adieu, Petr ...

Bob Probert, Goose Loonies, a hat trick of horrific headlines (freep.com)