UNH Hockey 2023 Off Season Thread Turn and Face the Strange

[Felger]

From UNH journo Evan Mullings Breaking: UNH captain and senior F Chase Stevenson has entered the transfer portal. He tallied career highs in goals (12) and points (20) with the Wildcats this past season. As per CHC, he may have additional time coming to him as he lost most of his sophomore season with a shoulder injury.

Am bummed, was really hoping he'd stay for another season...wishing him the best.

Seriously???? The guy could get TWO more years??? He's 24 frigging years old. I didn't care for Grasso, but at least he had the class, decency and most of all the initiative to move on.

I will be so glad when these covid-19 extra years/stimulus checks are a thing of the past.

 

[HockeyRef]

Seriously???? The guy could get TWO more years??? He's 24 frigging years old. I didn't care for Grasso, but at least he had the class, decency and most of all the initiative to move on.

I will be so glad when these covid-19 extra years/stimulus checks are a thing of the past.

And Patrick G is doing pretty well having just been bumped to the Utica Comets...I didn't realize he was that old; makes sense. Anyway...the portal lists him as a 1 year, and I
do not recall him being referred to as a 'red shirt' player...If I may ask...what was your beef with Grasso? Given the graduate transfers of the past couple of
seasons, 24 seems about the 'going' age..

Ps I see BC's Henry Wilder is in as well, we might need a goal tender..Fess is/isn't eligible for next season correct?

 

[Dan]

I have never liked the elephant in the room although it doesn’t matter if everyone (in college athletics) can see it and agreed that Coach Herrion has nothing to complain about. If I am Coach Souza, I have one and a half feet out the door.

Any softball team you might suggest I follow with extra interest this year?

That I can understand -- but the solution is for UNH to buyout the final years on contracts and eliminate the elephant in the room. They aren't in a position - or lack the desire - to make those choices. In lieu of that Im not sure what the solution would be. As I said, you don't want to paint yourself into a corner. Do you say 'winning record' and risk the team finishing above .500 but not looking any good in the process, let alone any off ice concerns like recruiting, etc? Do you say 'TD Garden' and risk a three-win UNH club getting hot at the best time? It just isn't easy as telling a coach what is expected; its more of an eye test...

There are some total rebuilds I've got my eye on. Exciting, but total rebuilds.

Otherwise, OU is still a wagon - and I know they crushed UCLA - but UCLA has otherwise been VERY impressive and looks VERY different physically, and productively, from any other team I've seen up close. It might be a two-horse race this season. And if the Sooners have Megan Faraimo figured out, it may be a one-horse race...

 

[Dan]

Interesting HE names in the portal - Sam Colangelo (NU), Patrick Moynihan (PC), and Luke Pavicich (UMA).

Other goalies in the portal are Ben Kraws (ASU) and Jakob Hellsten (UND). Kraws started his career at Miami. He was not good in Oxford, but very solid in Tempe. RedHawks in the portal - who UNH might like - also include Chase Pltezke, Joe Cassetti and Red Savage...

Colangelo, Mynihan, Pavicich and Savage should all have robust markets I'd imagine.

--

For the Bentley among us - Niemo and Codsi entered the portal today.

 

[HockeyRef]

Sophomore transfer student Nico DeVita enters the portal...So now that opens up 2 spots...lots of goal tenders showing up. Am curious if UNH will need to add one; seems Fess
is still an option for next season?

Robert Morris put out a great 'ad' today on Twitter for who/what they need and are looking for 'who wants to be a Colonia'...wish I could post it!

 

[Darius]

Robert Morris put out a great 'ad' today on Twitter for who/what they need and are looking for 'who wants to be a Colonia'...wish I could post it!

https://twitter.com/rmumhockey/status/1637879476074737664?s=61&t=SD8SPvNAozVVNdZeXfluiw

 

[Robert Balin]

Seriously???? The guy could get TWO more years??? He's 24 frigging years old. I didn't care for Grasso, but at least he had the class, decency and most of all the initiative to move on.

I will be so glad when these covid-19 extra years/stimulus checks are a thing of the past.

Stevenson had 35 points in in 96 games so he's very replacable. Souza needs to do a better job in the portal.

 

[Scott]

Question - is everyone really worked up about Stevenson entering the portal? He's a SENIOR. He was honored on SENIOR day. Sorry, I'm old school when it comes to situations like this. When you're a senior, sans all of this NCAA/Covid crap, at the end of the season you move on to the next chapter in your life.

It didn't seem too long ago when we would seeing outgoing seniors ink deals with ECHL teams, European teams, etc.....now it's all about milking the transfer portal. I really wish the NCAA never opened this Pandora's Box.

OK, end of rant. Carry on.

 

[HockeyRef]

Question - is everyone really worked up about Stevenson entering the portal? He's a SENIOR. He was honored on SENIOR day. Sorry, I'm old school when it comes to situations like this. When you're a senior, sans all of this NCAA/Covid crap, at the end of the season you move on to the next chapter in your life.

It didn't seem too long ago when we would seeing outgoing seniors ink deals with ECHL teams, European teams, etc.....now it's all about milking the transfer portal. I really wish the NCAA never opened this Pandora's Box.

OK, end of rant. Carry on.

Heyyyy Scott! No..just me. Haha Seriously he's a good forward but it's time to move on. And as Robert B says Souza needs to get the.most out of the portal if he's going in that direction.

Take good care!

 

[Dan]

Jack Hughes - LAK, 2nd - is transferring out of Northeastern. His brother, a bottom six forward and 'A' for NU was already in the portal as a graduate transfer.

 

[Snively65]

Interesting HE names in the portal - Sam Colangelo (NU), Patrick Moynihan (PC), and Luke Pavicich (UMA).

Other goalies in the portal are Ben Kraws (ASU) and Jakob Hellsten (UND). Kraws started his career at Miami. He was not good in Oxford, but very solid in Tempe. RedHawks in the portal - who UNH might like - also include Chase Pltezke, Joe Cassetti and Red Savage...

Colangelo, Mynihan, Pavicich and Savage should all have robust markets I'd imagine.

--

For the Bentley among us - Niemo and Codsi entered the portal today.

Need to be happy that we are not Bentley, where the portal has not been kind. Vanroboys, Kodsi, and Nemo were three of the four highest scorers this past season. Last season top scorer Bavaro left for Notre Dame, and two seasons ago top two scorers Novak (only NHL pick ever) left for NU and Saterno left for Clarkson.

 

[Chuck Murray]

I did ask Alex Hall about this, well, more of a 'summary of the season'. If he (or whomever) went into all of what you are talking about...that would surely be welcomed but,
I highly doubt that is going to happen. It should, and would make for excellent reading..."The Future of UNH Hockey" kind of article. But to do that, you'd
be asking for alot of transparency. Given the lack of communication period, I'd be amazed if that did happen. Plus, its a personnel issue, and that's usually
not something an AD wants to get into, for obvious reasons??

We can't even get a press conference half the time...a full fledged article would be the last thing UNH would agree to do, I think, given the history...

Once upon a time, there was this thing called journalism. You worked to develop sources all over the place in your specialities, and you drew on the confidential feedback from those sources when the preferred direct targets of your inquiry were not willing to go on the record OR would not give you something off the record. There was no "Mother may I?" or "you get final approval of your self-promoting puff piece". Nope. You would go to your source(s), and they would give you a reliable outline which you could then look to flesh out with other sources. And if/when you have multiple sources confirming the same details on the QT, then most editors will let you run with that.

The current situation with UNH Hockey isn't likely that tough a nut to crack. You know the records, you know who the coaches are, who the old coaches were, the old AD, a former assistant AD who is now running a league, guys who are close to the program in non-playing or non-coaching roles, etc. You may even be able to tap into coaches who are sometimes in the same building, but not the same sport. Former MS7 associates at UConn, Brown, other people who may have interest and some insight and a willingness to share, for whatever reason.

Transparency is nice, and it's always interesting when someone is willing to open up, as you never quite know sometimes if they're being on the level, or just using you to try to get a message out that they'd rather see put out there without their name attached to it. But transparency is not a prerequisite for a real live journalist to do an effective job. And if you have a network of trusted reliable sources who know you will protect them and are willing to share insights most folks lack access to get at, then you can get at almost any story - cooperation of the subject optional.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Question - is everyone really worked up about Stevenson entering the portal? He's a SENIOR. He was honored on SENIOR day. Sorry, I'm old school when it comes to situations like this. When you're a senior, sans all of this NCAA/Covid crap, at the end of the season you move on to the next chapter in your life.

Good rant, Scott. In some ways, even if I kind of predicted "Captain Clutch" (circa February '23) would hit the portal, it annoys the crap outta me that this kid was chosen as CAPTAIN, and is now deserting the ship to go do a mercenary one-year stint with Fill-In-The-Blank U. I've given BvR a ton of crap in recent years about him leaving, but he was never a CAPTAIN. So you know what? Screw you, Stevenson. Looking forward to the day when Luce or Barr or Hastings sits you in the stands as a healthy scratch for a solid month. Hope it's during a trip back to Durham too, so the U can show one of those retro "we miss you" blurbs while you're sporting a three piece and a tie.

With guys like this sticking the dagger in on MS7 after leading his team, it's hard, but it makes me feel badly for MS7 ...

 

[HockeyRef]

Once upon a time, there was this thing called journalism. You worked to develop sources all over the place in your specialities, and you drew on the confidential feedback from those sources when the preferred direct targets of your inquiry were not willing to go on the record OR would not give you something off the record. There was no "Mother may I?" or "you get final approval of your self-promoting puff piece". Nope. You would go to your source(s), and they would give you a reliable outline which you could then look to flesh out with other sources. And if/when you have multiple sources confirming the same details on the QT, then most editors will let you run with that.

The current situation with UNH Hockey isn't likely that tough a nut to crack. You know the records, you know who the coaches are, who the old coaches were, the old AD, a former assistant AD who is now running a league, guys who are close to the program in non-playing or non-coaching roles, etc. You may even be able to tap into coaches who are sometimes in the same building, but not the same sport. Former MS7 associates at UConn, Brown, other people who may have interest and some insight and a willingness to share, for whatever reason.

Transparency is nice, and it's always interesting when someone is willing to open up, as you never quite know sometimes if they're being on the level, or just using you to try to get a message out that they'd rather see put out there without their name attached to it. But transparency is not a prerequisite for a real live journalist to do an effective job. And if you have a network of trusted reliable sources who know you will protect them and are willing to share insights most folks lack access to get at, then you can get at almost any story - cooperation of the subject optional.

Article is up in the UL...pretty basic over view of the season. Nothing dramatic but at least...it was something. Will be interesting to.see what you (or others) think.

 

[NCAA watcher]

Good rant, Scott. In some ways, even if I kind of predicted "Captain Clutch" (circa February '23) would hit the portal, it annoys the crap outta me that this kid was chosen as CAPTAIN, and is now deserting the ship to go do a mercenary one-year stint with Fill-In-The-Blank U. I've given BvR a ton of crap in recent years about him leaving, but he was never a CAPTAIN. So you know what? Screw you, Stevenson. Looking forward to the day when Luce or Barr or Hastings sits you in the stands as a healthy scratch for a solid month. Hope it's during a trip back to Durham too, so the U can show one of those retro "we miss you" blurbs while you're sporting a three piece and a tie.

With guys like this sticking the dagger in on MS7 after leading his team, it's hard, but it makes me feel badly for MS7 ...

Deserting the ship? He's graduating, and a finance major, so likely looking for an MBA. Sticking the dagger? Tons of players are in the portal after using up their 4 years, many not invited back for a fifth year. Just guessing, but as a Canadian, he'll require close to a full scholarship next year, and UNH needs money to bring Conmy in early, so this may be MS7's call. Let's keep in mind, Stevenson had 15 career points before this year, and 5 points as a junior.

The UL article is a light touch, but it sounds like Souza fully expects to be back. Thank you Marty for screwing UNH more on your way out.

BTW, my statement that UNH will compete for 6/7th next year, I went back to see my guesses for last year.

NCAA watcher replied to UNH Men's Hockey 2022 Off Season Thread- Goodbye Lake Whitt!
in Men's Division I

08-16-2022, 04:00 PM
With kids hitting campus now, let's see where we are in HE
1.BU
2.NU
3.U.Mass
4.U.Conn
5.BC
6.Providence
7.U.Mass-Lowell
8.Merrimack
9.U.N.H.
10.Maine
11.Vermont

Right now it looks like a jumble again next year. U.Mass brings in the scoring it needs, BC brings in a lot of talent, Maine is ever improving, and NU underperformed, so you could expect a bounce back, perhaps. So, while UNH looks to be improved, so do most of the teams in HE.

1.BU
----
2-6
BC, U.Conn, U.Mass, NU

7-9. Merrimack, U.Mass-Lowell, Maine

10 - 11
UNH, Vermont

 

[HockeyRef]

Deserting the ship? He's graduating, and a finance major, so likely looking for an MBA. Sticking the dagger? Tons of players are in the portal after using up their 4 years, many not invited back for a fifth year. Just guessing, but as a Canadian, he'll require close to a full scholarship next year, and UNH needs money to bring Conmy in early, so this may be MS7's call. Let's keep in mind, Stevenson had 15 career points before this year, and 5 points as a junior.

The UL article is a light touch, but it sounds like Souza fully expects to be back. Thank you Marty for screwing UNH more on your way out.

BTW, my statement that UNH will compete for 6/7th next year, I went back to see my guesses for last year.



Right now it looks like a jumble again next year. U.Mass brings in the scoring it needs, BC brings in a lot of talent, Maine is ever improving, and NU underperformed, so you could expect a bounce back, perhaps. So, while UNH looks to be improved, so do most of the teams in HE.

1.BU
----
2-6
BC, U.Conn, U.Mass, NU

7-9. Merrimack, U.Mass-Lowell, Maine

10 - 11
UNH, Vermont

So, what you are saying is we really aren't going to be able to compete any better than this past season, regardless of 'player development' and incoming recruits? Seems like teams like NU are going to be rebuilding (but I don't know what they have coming in). Well...no crystal ball here but the work is obviously cut out for MS7's 'last year' in his contract...

 

[Darius]

Deserting the ship? He's graduating, and a finance major, so likely looking for an MBA. Sticking the dagger? Tons of players are in the portal after using up their 4 years, many not invited back for a fifth year. Just guessing, but as a Canadian, he'll require close to a full scholarship next year, and UNH needs money to bring Conmy in early, so this may be MS7's call. Let's keep in mind, Stevenson had 15 career points before this year, and 5 points as a junior.

Thank you for saving me the time.

 

[Darius]

Once upon a time, there was this thing called journalism. You worked to develop sources all over the place in your specialities, and you drew on the confidential feedback from those sources when the preferred direct targets of your inquiry were not willing to go on the record OR would not give you something off the record. There was no "Mother may I?" or "you get final approval of your self-promoting puff piece". Nope. You would go to your source(s), and they would give you a reliable outline which you could then look to flesh out with other sources. And if/when you have multiple sources confirming the same details on the QT, then most editors will let you run with that.

The current situation with UNH Hockey isn't likely that tough a nut to crack. You know the records, you know who the coaches are, who the old coaches were, the old AD, a former assistant AD who is now running a league, guys who are close to the program in non-playing or non-coaching roles, etc. You may even be able to tap into coaches who are sometimes in the same building, but not the same sport. Former MS7 associates at UConn, Brown, other people who may have interest and some insight and a willingness to share, for whatever reason.

Transparency is nice, and it's always interesting when someone is willing to open up, as you never quite know sometimes if they're being on the level, or just using you to try to get a message out that they'd rather see put out there without their name attached to it. But transparency is not a prerequisite for a real live journalist to do an effective job. And if you have a network of trusted reliable sources who know you will protect them and are willing to share insights most folks lack access to get at, then you can get at almost any story - cooperation of the subject optional.

Do you have any understanding of the state of local journalism in the United States right now?

 

[Snively65]

Deserting the ship? He's graduating, and a finance major, so likely looking for an MBA. Sticking the dagger? Tons of players are in the portal after using up their 4 years, many not invited back for a fifth year. Just guessing, but as a Canadian, he'll require close to a full scholarship next year, and UNH needs money to bring Conmy in early, so this may be MS7's call. Let's keep in mind, Stevenson had 15 career points before this year, and 5 points as a junior.

The UL article is a light touch, but it sounds like Souza fully expects to be back. Thank you Marty for screwing UNH more on your way out.

BTW, my statement that UNH will compete for 6/7th next year, I went back to see my guesses for last year.



Right now it looks like a jumble again next year. U.Mass brings in the scoring it needs, BC brings in a lot of talent, Maine is ever improving, and NU underperformed, so you could expect a bounce back, perhaps. So, while UNH looks to be improved, so do most of the teams in HE.

1.BU
----
2-6
BC, U.Conn, U.Mass, NU

7-9. Merrimack, U.Mass-Lowell, Maine

10 - 11
UNH, Vermont

Where are you placing PC, presumably 2-6?

 

[Snively65]

So, what you are saying is we really aren't going to be able to compete any better than this past season, regardless of 'player development' and incoming recruits? Seems like teams like NU are going to be rebuilding (but I don't know what they have coming in). Well...no crystal ball here but the work is obviously cut out for MS7's 'last year' in his contract...

So far it does not appear that MS7’s players are ditching out to the portal, but perhaps that is because they know that they will not get better scholie money than they already have.