UNH Hockey 2023 Off Season Thread Turn and Face the Strange

[HockeyRef]

For all the spin surrounding the "upswing" in the second half, let the record show that UNH posted a 7-7-2 record after the holiday season break, and failed to win any of its final five (5) games in regulation. And then proceeded to lose many of its best/most promising players to the transfer portal. The "upswing" was just Three Weeks in February.

That's it. Look it up if you don't believe me. Can't wait to see what "success" looks like in '23/'24 ...

Hey Chuck I'm just reporting what was said at this event. I totally know how UNH did. I was there...I mean, this is what they have to go with.
Yep, short leash Souza has a lot of work ahead to be sure! I enjoyed hearing Kevin speak as so many of you talk about him. He felt that things are moving in
the right direction; I guess...that remains to be seen.

 

[Snively65]

For all the spin surrounding the "upswing" in the second half, let the record show that UNH posted a 7-7-2 record after the holiday season break, and failed to win any of its final five (5) games in regulation. And then proceeded to lose many of its best/most promising players to the transfer portal. The "upswing" was just Three Weeks in February.

That's it. Look it up if you don't believe me. Can't wait to see what "success" looks like in '23/'24 ...

Where is Grouchy UNHer to challenge Chuck when needed? How does one get “Three Weeks” from the 7-2-2 (2 SOW) run between Friday 6 January and Saturday 18 February? Grouchy would say that you need to double that “Three Weeks.” Had those two one-goal losses in Schenectady at the end of December been one-goal wins, then we would have been talking 9-2-2 (2 SOW) over a seven-week span. However, I agree that Grouchy is probably as upset as all of us are about the portal defections at the end of the season.

Anyone remember when we were tossing out Kevin Dean’s name as Umile’s replacement when the rumors were flying eight years ago that the HC succession would stay in “da family”?

 

[Whalers]

I enjoyed hearing Kevin speak as so many of you talk about him. He felt that things are moving in the right direction; I guess...that remains to be seen.

KDean wouldn't exactly be a very nice guest if he said something different. "I am so excited for this year's team. The new sound system will be a huge upgrade and get us to a regional." (hey wait, is that Dean, MS7 or Marty saying that with a straight face??)

 

[NCAA watcher]

You don't keep your job for 9 straight years finishing in 9, 10 and 11th place without expressing gratitude to your boss for eliminating the barriers to your success.

2015 Video Board

Hanging high above the ice, the four-sided video board has screens measuring 9 feet high by 15 feet wide. The board, and the 150-foot-long LED ribbon wrapping around the end zone, will add to not only the fan experience, but also the quality of both hockey programs. Scarano claims one of the main reasons for the board was for recruiting. Hockey programs today are becoming so competitive, and it takes any detail to set a school apart for incoming recruits. Now, the Wildcats are able to offer the newest video board in the Hockey East.

Umile, entering his 26th season as head coach at UNH, is extremely excited after being patient for so many years. Witt, in her second season as head coach of the women’s team, did not have to wait as long as Umile. She attributes the fast turnaround with the video board to the hard-working culture that she sees throughout the university.

“Marty (Scarano) said that it would happen and it did. I only hope that that happens every time,” Witt joked.

2020 - Rink Shrinkage

Souza and Scarano feel as though the Wildcats’ larger home ice has held them back in terms of recruiting in recent years, as opposing teams have used the hinderance against them on athlete visits.
It is just the start of a six-month process, but Souza expressed gratitude towards Scarano, his staff and President Dean when talking about the transparency of the project as a whole.

“We were fortunate enough that the university has been very helpful to us to not only make the deferred maintenance happen but also to bring the size of the ice down which gives us the opportunity to not talk about why we play on an Olympic sized rink…helping us in recruiting and being more aligned with our competitors.”

2023 - No, really, these renovations are the changes that will make us competitive.

Souza was esp grateful to AD Rich as she has embraced the renovations to the Whitt.Go 'Cats!

 

[Felger]

With the key word being "sometimes" no doubt, but all in all, I trust +/- as a decent-but-not-perfect measure of a player's two way responsibility.

Patrick Grasso. In his FIVE years at UNH tallied 97 points, with a MINUS 34.

 

[NCAA watcher]

With the key word being "sometimes" no doubt, but all in all, I trust +/- as a decent-but-not-perfect measure of a player's two way responsibility.

Glad to see you moving towards modern stats. If you like the value of being on the ice for a goal for or a goal against, you'll love the additional fact that goals are a less precise way of determining chances for or against because they can be somewhat random. If you look at shots on goal for or against while on the ice, you get a broader representative sample size.

 

[HockeyRef]

KDean wouldn't exactly be a very nice guest if he said something different. "I am so excited for this year's team. The new sound system will be a huge upgrade and get us to a regional." (hey wait, is that Dean, MS7 or Marty saying that with a straight face??)

Well obviously not...the event was reallly catered to season ticket holders for sure. I mean they even put our names up on the 'tron...nobody was saying these upgrades are the key
to winning hockey east or a national title, tho it was mentioned as you'd expect as helpful additions to recruiting. I met the new goalie from NoDak last night, and I was going to ask
him how he felt about coming from their palace to the 'Whitt. But decided against it. I mean, the 'Whitt isn't a dump. But I am in 100% agreement (drinking the blue and white koolaid here)
that yeah, you've got to renovate but am not foolish enough to think this is THE issue as to why we haven't been to a Regional in 10 years....

It was very obvious (and it was said as much) that KD is a mentor to Souza and from what I could tell he's hanging his hat on this relationship. UNH bros gotta stick together, right?
But lets be very clear here...there is only one way 'short leash' (ok, that's not very nice) keeps his job in the coming seasons and that has to be to produce a winning product THIS
YEAR. And if he doesn't? And gets renewed? I'd have to wonder how full that nice party they gave yesterday is going to be in 2024...although I can think of a ton of people who
really do not care about the win/loss and will show up regardless...

On a final note it was great to see you Scott as always and a few others on this board including aerman who isn't posting these days. Yep, we UNHers have to stick together.

Ps I was always for the tron and the new sound system haha finally, we can hear what's going on penalty wise etc without a huge echo.

 

[After the Whistle]

Ref, thanks for the report on the STH event. Yes it was as excepted but we didn’t think otherwise. Nice to hear that the sound system is really improved. I believe that the team will be also. If we have2/3 middle 6 players on the incoming, we should see up to 1/2 goal a game improvement. Liam and especially Cy were impacted down the stretch as HE teams had our number. With an upgraded middle 6 our first line will not be as susceptible to the total focus, hopefully benefiting the second and third lines.

 

[Chuck Murray]

If you like the value of being on the ice for a goal for or a goal against, you'll love the additional fact that goals are a less precise way of determining chances for or against because they can be somewhat random. If you look at shots on goal for or against while on the ice, you get a broader representative sample size.

No, no, no ... a thousand times NO. Goals are goals. You win by scoring more goals than the other guy. And I'll go you one further ... not all shots are equal. You give me my shots early in the game, I'll give you yours later in the game, and my team beats your team 80% of the time.

Jeezus ... give them an inch, they wanna take a mile. Love ya 'watcher, but simply no can do here. ;-)

 

[HockeyRef]

No, no, no ... a thousand times NO. Goals are goals. You win by scoring more goals than the other guy. And I'll go you one further ... not all shots are equal. You give me my shots early in the game, I'll give you yours later in the game, and my team beats your team 80% of the time.

Jeezus ... give them an inch, they wanna take a mile. Love ya 'watcher, but simply no can do here. ;-)

Sigh...and for a brief moment in time I thought Chuck had bought into the SOGs matter debate..ha!

 

[Chuck Murray]

Where is Grouchy UNHer to challenge Chuck when needed? How does one get “Three Weeks” from the 7-2-2 (2 SOW) run between Friday 6 January and Saturday 18 February? Grouchy would say that you need to double that “Three Weeks.” Had those two one-goal losses in Schenectady at the end of December been one-goal wins, then we would have been talking 9-2-2 (2 SOW) over a seven-week span. However, I agree that Grouchy is probably as upset as all of us are about the portal defections at the end of the season.

No one misses GUNHer more than I do, Snives (of course, some seem to think I AM GUNHer, which categorically isn't true). Livens up the place, just like GUNHer's other alter egos have (IMO). But GUNHer would be 100% with me on this because this is what UNH's schedule and results in post-break '22/'23 looked like:

* Two regulation losses to Union in the he11hole otherwise known as Schenectady;
* Three regulation wins in 9 days in early-to-mid January (including a win over powerhouse Bobby V U.);
* Home-and-away sweep by UMass Lowell (although UNH forced OT in one of their losses);
* One week off for the boys to lick their wounds, and regroup for the stretch run ...
* Three Weeks in February - four straight wins (two regulation), then two shootout "wins" vs. UMaine
* Three straight losses - including in OT in the MBPBEGAM "playoffs" - the season ends with pffffftttttttt ...

2022-23 Men's Ice Hockey Schedule - University of New Hampshire Athletics (unhwildcats.com)

At least knowing MS7 looks to Kevin Dean as a mentor, we know he'll have a scouting job ready and waiting when AD Rich finally gets around to giving him his walking papers. And good for him, I hate ripping him a new one every other week, he deserves a job where he can work hard and excel at something - other than running a formerly nationally relevant D-1 hockey program into the ground, annoying local yokels like me and the rest of us, who much prefer to remember Souza The Clutch Player instead of MS7 The Inept Paisan/Umile Legacy Coach.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Sigh...and for a brief moment in time I thought Chuck had bought into the SOGs matter debate..ha!

Mine is definitely a nuanced position, 'Ref. (1) Goals above all; (2) early goals - in a game where scoring has become more and more limited in recent years - matter A LOT; and (3) there ARE junk goals too (any ENG with a two+ goal lead is 99.9% worthless). Like I said, give me early SOG's, and I'll give you late SOG's, and I win more than you win.

Not to turn the conversation too sharply, but I was watching Mexico-Qatar in Gold Cup Soccer the other night on replay.

One team had 25 SOG's, the other team had one (1) SOG. SPOILER ALERT - Qatar won 1-0 with their only SOG.

I laughed, thinking of our endless SOG debates on here ...

 

[HockeyRef]

Ref, thanks for the report on the STH event. Yes it was as excepted but we didn’t think otherwise. Nice to hear that the sound system is really improved. I believe that the team will be also. If we have2/3 middle 6 players on the incoming, we should see up to 1/2 goal a game improvement. Liam and especially Cy were impacted down the stretch as HE teams had our number. With an upgraded middle 6 our first line will not be as susceptible to the total focus, hopefully benefiting the second and third lines.

Good take on the situation! Let's hope! See ya in Oct!

 

[HockeyRef]

Mine is definitely a nuanced position, 'Ref. (1) Goals above all; (2) early goals - in a game where scoring has become more and more limited in recent years - matter A LOT; and (3) there ARE junk goals too (any ENG with a two+ goal lead is 99.9% worthless). Like I said, give me early SOG's, and I'll give you late SOG's, and I win more than you win.

Not to turn the conversation too sharply, but I was watching Mexico-Qatar in Gold Cup Soccer the other night on replay.

One team had 25 SOG's, the other team had one (1) SOG. SPOILER ALERT - Qatar won 1-0 with their only SOG.

I laughed, thinking of our endless SOG debates on here ...

I've officiated big tournament games where number 16 beat number 1 1-0 and had like you said, ONE shot on goal. When the goal was scored the
players from the #1 team asked 'was that a real goal' I prob said something sassy like "is there any other kind"? Of course the team who beat #1 got creamed in the
next round but good for them.

I was talking to a player last night about the fun Union weekend (lol)...I said "I thought about what a long ride home you guys must've had" and he
said yeah; it was tough because we outshot them a ton" or something like that. Agree Snively that had UNH picked up a couple of W's that weekend that would
have been nice. Down 3 zip early in both games tho...oh never mind. I don't want that memory to cloud the FUN we had in 'hell hole Schenectady'.

Funny thing a week later I was in the hosp 2 days with heart stuff but the trip was worth all that fun lemme tell ya...Must've been the pizza..At
any rate this season will not be traveling to West Point but will prob do Sacred Heart depending on when our first grandchild is born/ due Christmas eve! Yippeeeeeee!!!!

 

[Snively65]

I've officiated big tournament games where number 16 beat number 1 1-0 and had like you said, ONE shot on goal. When the goal was scored the
players from the #1 team asked 'was that a real goal' I prob said something sassy like "is there any other kind"? Of course the team who beat #1 got creamed in the
next round but good for them.

I was talking to a player last night about the fun Union weekend (lol)...I said "I thought about what a long ride home you guys must've had" and he
said yeah; it was tough because we outshot them a ton" or something like that. Agree Snively that had UNH picked up a couple of W's that weekend that would
have been nice. Down 3 zip early in both games tho...oh never mind. I don't want that memory to cloud the FUN we had in 'hell hole Schenectady'.

Funny thing a week later I was in the hosp 2 days with heart stuff but the trip was worth all that fun lemme tell ya...Must've been the pizza..At
any rate this season will not be traveling to West Point but will prob do Sacred Heart depending on when our first grandchild is born/ due Christmas eve! Yippeeeeeee!!!!

Congrats on El Nino. I have been to Tate Rink at West Point but not the new arena at Bobby V’s school. Both cousin and her husband nearby Sacred Heart and Quinnipiac have passed on the past six months, so no longer have a free place to stay for those away games. I suppose that that there are plenty of motels in the area.

Per your earlier post, you already know that I was for the Jumbotron before I was against the Jumbotron.

 

[Snively65]

At the barbecue...didn't know UNH will host the Women's Frozen Four this season. Met a bunch of players and will be hearing the new sound system shortly.

AD Rich outlined the improvements and they hope to break ground next Spring as they await some big bucks to make that happen.

Both Hilary Witt and Mike Souza addressed the crowd (which was decent). Both enthusiastic about the upcoming seasons and the things you dont see in the win/loss record that count as successes.

Souza was esp grateful to AD Rich as she has embraced the renovations to the Whitt. Also mentioned UNH has a ton of.players in dev camps right now..mentioned Harrison Blaisdell as a force for leadership (captain nod?) for the summer school students. Said there was a "different feeling" for the comimg season..guys are.ready to work and get better...

Kevin Dean was in the house as well and met with players as well as 3 other NHL coaches...interestingly Dean was on the UNH golf team? Cool to hear him speak.

Talked about the importance of supporting the team in good times as well as bad. Lauded the coaching staff and felt that UNH is on the upswing after the second half of last season.

Didn't hear anything that was new per se and didn't expect to but left thinking most are excited for October...

Go 'Cats!

Yes, good summary, thanks, Ref.

But, what is the connection between MS7 and KD (i.e., how is KD a mentor to MS7 as stated in later posts)?

 

[Darius]

Well obviously not...the event was reallly catered to season ticket holders for sure. I mean they even put our names up on the 'tron...nobody was saying these upgrades are the key
to winning hockey east or a national title, tho it was mentioned as you'd expect as helpful additions to recruiting. I met the new goalie from NoDak last night, and I was going to ask
him how he felt about coming from their palace to the 'Whitt. But decided against it. I mean, the 'Whitt isn't a dump. But I am in 100% agreement (drinking the blue and white koolaid here)
that yeah, you've got to renovate but am not foolish enough to think this is THE issue as to why we haven't been to a Regional in 10 years....

It was very obvious (and it was said as much) that KD is a mentor to Souza and from what I could tell he's hanging his hat on this relationship. UNH bros gotta stick together, right?
But lets be very clear here...there is only one way 'short leash' (ok, that's not very nice) keeps his job in the coming seasons and that has to be to produce a winning product THIS
YEAR. And if he doesn't? And gets renewed? I'd have to wonder how full that nice party they gave yesterday is going to be in 2024...although I can think of a ton of people who
really do not care about the win/loss and will show up regardless...

On a final note it was great to see you Scott as always and a few others on this board including aerman who isn't posting these days. Yep, we UNHers have to stick together.

Ps I was always for the tron and the new sound system haha finally, we can hear what's going on penalty wise etc without a huge echo.

THIS!!! UNH social media said 200 people attended. Even if they double counted that's 100 people which is like 94 more than post here ;-). This forum is a very small representation of the larger UNH hockey fan base. Not saying all non-posting fans are happy with the program, they are not, but there will still be people in the stands if next season is a losing one and/or Coach Souza's contract is extended.

Something that popped into my head the other day, maybe Dan or 'watcher have a thought: Would AD Rich offer an extension with a pay cut?

 

[Chuck Murray]

Something that popped into my head the other day, maybe Dan or 'watcher have a thought: Would AD Rich offer an extension with a pay cut?

I'm not sure I even know where to begin on this one. Darius, you're trolling me/us, right??

Can you at least try to put some "meat on the bones" of this concept of yours?

 

[Snively65]

I'm not sure I even know where to begin on this one. Darius, you're trolling me/us, right??

Can you at least try to put some "meat on the bones" of this concept of yours?

I believe that, like faculty, coaches are exempt employees usually under contract through collective bargaining agreements at public universities, which I think would make it extremely difficult to mandate a cut in pay without an institutional financial exigency or something like that. But, my larger question is what would be the point of a contract extension, regardless of salary, given eight years of demonstrated utter incompetency?

 

[HockeyRef]

I believe that, like faculty, coaches are exempt employees usually under contract through collective bargaining agreements at public universities, which I think would make it extremely difficult to mandate a cut in pay without an institutional financial exigency or something like that. But, my larger question is what would be the point of a contract extension, regardless of salary, given eight years of demonstrated utter incompetency?

Off topic but were you involved in that recent rescue off Lafayette?? Falling waters trail?