UNH Hockey Off Season Thread 2026

[FlagUp17]

I don’t think programs can really think long term anymore. It’s a complete change from 5 years ago, All of the players are 1 and maybe done. No idea how coaches can seriously offer a 16 year old a scholarship 3 years before enrollment without any idea what the team may look like.

These coaches are very much in the dark.

And what if a good program has a not-so-good year? It looks like Penn State may be getting gutted a year out from a FF run, and Maine is losing a bunch, including one of their top scorers Marques to an inter-division rival NU. I also heard Poirier may be leaving Maine as well? I haven’t seen his name in the portal yet though.

This year will be a true test for Barr up in Maine. If he has another down year, will the crowd start to turn on him? Ive already read some comments from disgruntled fans, but I think the majority still backs Barr. That can change quickly though.

It’s certainly a whole new dimension to coaching that they are having to learn on the fly. Guys who distinguish themselves in this area will more than likely make some noise in postseason play.

 

[2013hockeyfan]

Right now, MS7 can only care about next season. Simpson looks like someone he couldn't pass up. Grout likely ends up as collateral damage. C'est la vie.

In the aftermath of the last 48 hours, one must realistically ask if TDL's donations to UNH Hockey have now extended beyond getting his company's name on the building, and funding some/most of the capital improvements? The best of these guys aren't coming to Titletown for the legendary coaching prowess of Souza, Guiliano and Stewart, or the program's recent history of success (or lack thereof), that's for sure. Not for the Jumbotron. And not for the shrunken rink either.

All while gearing up for a run for US Congress in NH CD-1 this Fall, it seems to be a very interesting time to be TDL, out on his private Portsmouth island lair ...

I’m very curious to see who if anyone is ponying up any meaningful amount to the NIL collective. Your dollar can go a very long way in college hockey relative to big time college athletics.

 

[sezenack]

Seems like another solid get for Souza and crew. Again, the season isn’t won in the portal but I can’t help but be impressed with what he has done. I don’t know what kind of NIL money he had to play with, and we may never know. Even still, the portal gains certainly appear to outweigh the departures on paper.

We will see if this holds true when the calendar switches to 2027 and the HEA schedule begins in earnest. That always seems to be when the ship starts to sink… but hopefully that won’t be the case this year.

Back to Simpson - it will be interesting to see how playing time is divvied up between Simpson and Henriquez. I’m a bit surprised they got someone with 3 years of eligibility left, and how that may impact the development of Henriquez. I also still expect a walk-on or DIII transfer too as the third string goalie.

I wonder what this means for Grout as well? I cant imagine he would join in 2027 with Simpson as a Junior and Henriquez as a sophomore… where’s the playing time gonna be? I wonder if Souza may cut ties with him…

Anyone else think there will be more forwards/defense brought to Durham through the portal? Or is Souza pretty much finished?

Simpson has one more year of eligibility left

 

[FlagUp17]

Simpson has one more year of eligibility left

https://gopherpucklive.com/ncaa-transfer-portal/

Gopher puck had him as having 3 years of eligibility left. Does the AHL/ECHL year count against his eligibility?

 

[cavbim]

https://gopherpucklive.com/ncaa-transfer-portal/

Gopher puck had him as having 3 years of eligibility left. Does the AHL/ECHL year count against his eligibility?

When he came into PC was told he lost 1 year because he was a 2003 thus already older than 21 when school began

 

[JB]

The best of these guys aren't coming to Titletown for the legendary coaching prowess of Souza, Guiliano and Stewart, or the program's recent history of success (or lack thereof), that's for sure. Not for the Jumbotron. And not for the shrunken rink either.

The real question is can the staff put in place a winning system to take advantage of the talent. I hope I am wrong and at the same time there is nothing in the MS7 era that indicates that is probable.

If what's past is prologue, the most likely is a fairly good first half. Potentially even a few games over .500 and a second half problem as the H.E. teams know the recipe to beat a MS7 team.

 

[HockeyRef]

The real question is can the staff put in place a winning system to take advantage of the talent. I hope I am wrong and at the same time there is nothing in the MS7 era that indicates that is probable.

If what's past is prologue, the most likely is a fairly good first half. Potentially even a few games over .500 and a second half problem as the H.E. teams know the recipe to beat a MS7 team.

Mr. HR and I have already had this convo....! Let's wait and see what happens...see if this chemistry works. Am hopeful!!

 

[norbert]

I don’t think programs can really think long term anymore. It’s a complete change from 5 years ago, All of the players are 1 and maybe done. No idea how coaches can seriously offer a 16 year old a scholarship 3 years before enrollment without any idea what the team may look like.

These coaches are very much in the dark.

I can't believe I can type these words, but I agree. The issue I have is how many of these kids that bounce around actually get to a professional level and make a living? This is where recruiting comes into play and you find those blue chip players who might get a taste after 3 years but really want an education?

 

[JB]

Mr. HR and I have already had this convo....! Let's wait and see what happens...see if this chemistry works. Am hopeful!!

Ok.... But it isn't a chemistry problem. It is a matching "talent with task". If you have guys good a banging in rebounds but all the other players are shooting high/wide there are no rebounds to work with.... That is strategy and game planning.