UNH Hockey Off Season Thread 2026

[Dan]

You really don't know the modern college hockey environment. Oh, well. No surprise that you're not informed. Just do a little bit of asking around. Agents are running the show and they know what questions to ask. Salesmanship and the tony robbins garbage means zero these days - unless it's for the lower end recruits, who have no choice but to listen. The high end recruits expect excellence, not rah rah nonsense.

The Norman Dale days are over, Dan.

I live modern college athletics. You regurgitate what your told second and third hand…

But please, explain to me your ‘sources’ theories on why Porter Martone could only get stronger in MSU’s weight room and not the weight room at UNH or any other school…?

A new strength facility at UNH will be impactful, because it will change UNH’s perception of UNH.

NIL would be a far better use of resources. Plenty of kids would cross the street to lift for 50k…

Martone might demand 10x that figure but UNH doesn’t need a Martone to improve.

 

[Potluck]

I live modern college athletics. You regurgitate what your told second and third hand…

But please, explain to me your ‘sources’ theories on why Porter Martone could only get stronger in MSU’s weight room and not the weight room at UNH or any other school…?

A new strength facility at UNH will be impactful, because it will change UNH’s perception of UNH.

NIL would be a far better use of resources. Plenty of kids would cross the street to lift for 50k…

Martone might demand 10x that figure but UNH doesn’t need a Martone to improve.

Dan: Mike McMahon literally covers college hockey for a living. He wrote in clear and unequivocal language about the consensus around college hockey and the player agents that UNH as an institution is not committed to a successful division 1 hockey program. He pointed to the facilities, funding etc... He was shouted down by the flunkies because they disagreed with him. He said UNH can fire Souza but has no reason to expect improvements without an increased commitment.

There's not a chance in the world you have his contacts. None. The fact that I've heard the same thing from a few former players, hockey parents and a few asst. coaches at AHA schools gives McMahon's opinion some weight to me. McMahon is well thought of in college hockey circles.

 

[TheGrouchyCat]

Dan: Mike McMahon literally covers college hockey for a living. He wrote in clear and unequivocal language about the consensus around college hockey and the player agents that UNH as an institution is not committed to a successful division 1 hockey program. He pointed to the facilities, funding etc... He was shouted down by the flunkies because they disagreed with him. He said UNH can fire Souza but has no reason to expect improvements without an increased commitment.

There's not a chance in the world you have his contacts. None. The fact that I've heard the same thing from a few former players, hockey parents and a few asst. coaches at AHA schools gives McMahon's opinion some weight to me. McMahon is well thought of in college hockey circles.

As a former player told me just this morning, "A new weight room and facilities would be incredible for recruiting and really nice to have, but that doesn't change the fact that Souza is in over his head and is a below average coach who mismanages his players."

This is consistent across conversations with players coached by MS7 and their parents.

 

[HockeyRef]

I live modern college athletics. You regurgitate what your told second and third hand…

But please, explain to me your ‘sources’ theories on why Porter Martone could only get stronger in MSU’s weight room and not the weight room at UNH or any other school…?

A new strength facility at UNH will be impactful, because it will change UNH’s perception of UNH.

NIL would be a far better use of resources. Plenty of kids would cross the street to lift for 50k…

Martone might demand 10x that figure but UNH doesn’t need a Martone to improve.

Welp UNH might not need a Martone but we wouldn't turn him down. Better watch out Dan..you could be in line for a cute nickname if you're not careful
Speaking of NIL what kind of $$ are we talking about? I'm so out of the loop...heard some are getting 100k..or more!

 

[JB]

I had to double check, but UNH does, in fact, have both a weight room and a strength coach. Good news for CHLers who want to get stronger!

I am not a scientist, so I cannot confirm or deny whether 45 lbs plates weigh the same in the rink adjacent basement of Munn Ice Arena vs. the bowels of an across the street Field House.

The Jerry Azumah Performance center is a very nice strength and conditioning center located about 2.75 miles CLOSER to the Whitt than WMUs strength and conditioning facility to Lawson. In 2020 it had ~$2M renovation. Shockingly UNH has designated Strength and Conditioning Coaches too.

As somebody with multiple degrees in Engineering I can attest that 45 lbs. plates work the same in the Whitt and the Field House in Durham. Gravity is still a heartless b!tch.

 

[JB]

NIL would be a far better use of resources. Plenty of kids would cross the street to lift for 50k…

Of the $20M renovation cost the State is putting up ~$6M. So lets take the $14M in donations and put it in some sort (I ain't reading the NCAA rules on NIL) of endowment for NIL funds. Lets go with 5% return - low but anything above that allows the principal to grow. That 5% is $700k in NIL per year.

So do you want the in rink weight room or the NIL $$$.

Problem is Souza and the Souza Excuse Crew have been complaining so much about facilities (cough WMU National Title cough) that they couldn't really change directions without loosing all credibility.

 

[Potluck]

Of the $20M renovation cost the State is putting up ~$6M. So lets take the $14M in donations and put it in some sort (I ain't reading the NCAA rules on NIL) of endowment for NIL funds. Lets go with 5% return - low but anything above that allows the principal to grow. That 5% is $700k in NIL per year.

So do you want the in rink weight room or the NIL $$$.

Problem is Souza and the Souza Excuse Crew have been complaining so much about facilities (cough WMU National Title cough) that they couldn't really change directions without loosing all credibility.

It’s interesting how often you focus to the exception of general norms. Even if your WMI exception was true (it’s not) citing a unicorn realllt only proves my point.

 

[Potluck]

Of the $20M renovation cost the State is putting up ~$6M. So lets take the $14M in donations and put it in some sort (I ain't reading the NCAA rules on NIL) of endowment for NIL funds. Lets go with 5% return - low but anything above that allows the principal to grow. That 5% is $700k in NIL per year.

So do you want the in rink weight room or the NIL $$$.

Lots of problems here. The money was raised before NIL passed. Donated money generally cannot be repurposed. But your suggestion of endowing an NIL grant is interesting and almost certainly underway in major college sports.

 

[JB]

I live modern college athletics. You regurgitate what your told second and third hand…

To me the conversation is better if you ignore a certain poster.

I am always curious about your and Watchers thoughts on players and recruits.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Today's article contains a nugget that really jumps out, and is what most of us were saying. The issue is not a lack of institutional support. It is how that support was wasted on infrastructural excuses. UNH has been chasing the last excuse, not the actual issues. Scoreboard, then shrink the rink, and now, apparently, locker room renovations.

Relying on a better "Taj Mahal" to overcome a lack of coaching credibility has always been the wrong mindset. The nostalgia for the good old pre-NLI days of just out recruiting everyone is quaint, when viewed against Souza's 2015-2025 results.

I had to double check, but UNH does, in fact, have both a weight room and a strength coach. Good news for CHLers who want to get stronger!

I am not a scientist, so I cannot confirm or deny whether 45 lbs plates weigh the same in the rink adjacent basement of Munn Ice Arena vs. the bowels of an across the street Field House.

You really don't know the modern college hockey environment. Oh, well. No surprise that you're not informed. Just do a little bit of asking around. Agents are running the show and they know what questions to ask. Salesmanship and the tony robbins garbage means zero these days - unless it's for the lower end recruits, who have no choice but to listen. The high end recruits expect excellence, not rah rah nonsense.

The Norman Dale days are over, Dan.

I live modern college athletics. You regurgitate what your told second and third hand…

But please, explain to me your ‘sources’ theories on why Porter Martone could only get stronger in MSU’s weight room and not the weight room at UNH or any other school…?

A new strength facility at UNH will be impactful, because it will change UNH’s perception of UNH.

NIL would be a far better use of resources. Plenty of kids would cross the street to lift for 50k…Martone might demand 10x that figure but UNH doesn’t need a Martone to improve.

Spot The Takedown Simple clean and quick, and the clueless victim is now left senseless. Entirely unaware of the utter folly of its commentary.

Sources report our hero was apprehended outside of his car on the Beltway during the evening commute, half-dressed, with a bald head glistening in the twilight, all he could be heard sputtering was " ... but, but, but ma-ma-ma-McMahon, he knows a lot, y'know ... Norman Dale days are over, y'hear ... you know nothing, I know everything!!" before led off by authorities in a straitjacket, and taken to Our Lady of the Worthless Miracle sanitarium in Silver Springs for a much needed "vacation".

Poor, poor Dan. Destined to join the likes of Buford, Emily the Flunky, Elwood and TheDumbCat (I forget the other name, sorry) heretofore as "Norman Dale" ...

 

[FlagUp17]

I love how we are already at 13 pages and going strong, and we aren’t even at the transfer portal yet.

I hope that people from Athletics occasionally monitor these forums and realize how much interest remains in the hockey program. As soon as that interest goes away, the program will fall even further into the abyss. Yes we can disagree on things, but it’s all because we are so passionate about UNH hockey and want to see an improved product at some point in our lifetime.

Also, I was checking out some other teams forums earlier today. Not to “name names”. But some fan bases really seem to bash guys who leave early to go pro, or leave in the transfer portal. I feel we are mostly thankful we got to experience them at UNH, and wish them the best wherever they go.

I guess different fan bases go about things differently, but I (for the most part - I try to stay out of the non-hockey stuff) like how we discuss things. Always thankful for the discussion!

 

[Chuck Murray]

I love how we are already at 13 pages and going strong, and we aren’t even at the transfer portal yet.

I hope that people from Athletics occasionally monitor these forums and realize how much interest remains in the hockey program. As soon as that interest goes away, the program will fall even further into the abyss. Yes we can disagree on things, but it’s all because we are so passionate about UNH hockey and want to see an improved product at some point in our lifetime.

I'm pretty sure we wouldn't have half as many pages as we do so far if it wasn't for one imbecilic UNH mole/plant sh!t-stirring with his contrarian bullcrap, and cherry-picking excerpts so he can try to twist them into his self-serving narrative. I mean ... The Philadelphia Flyers, an uber-elite NHL organization known for its constant development of young talent into a seemingly endless string of bona fide Stanley Cup contenders, right? No??? Someone better tell potty then ...

Also, I was checking out some other teams forums earlier today. Not to “name names”. But some fan bases really seem to bash guys who leave early to go pro, or leave in the transfer portal. I feel we are mostly thankful we got to experience them at UNH, and wish them the best wherever they go.

I guess different fan bases go about things differently, but I (for the most part - I try to stay out of the non-hockey stuff) like how we discuss things. Always thankful for the discussion!

I guess I've moderated a little bit on that issue over the years, but I still make no apologies for preferring the four-year commitment players. I've probably drawn my imaginary line at three years for a while now, as guys like Trevor van Riemsdyk and Max Gildon leaving after three years didn't irk me at all, or at least not nearly as badly as Derek Bekar did after '98, and how that may have been the difference in the '99 title game. These days, the guys leaving early are usually leaving to transfer, as opposed to turning pro like JvR and Poturalski (and yeah, smarter folks than I have convinced me that all situations are different for these kids/young adults). I guess my three year "approval" line was just reinforced by Trey Augustine hanging around for 3 seasons at MSU.

Remember when UNH players used to turn pro and either go straight to the NHL (rare), or at the very least the upper tiers of the AHL as legitimate NHL prospects?

Now all we see is pseudo-prospects signing for beer money and two squares in the Coast, and learning some harsh life lessons along the way ...

 

[FlagUp17]

I'm pretty sure we wouldn't have half as many pages as we do so far if it wasn't for one imbecilic UNH mole/plant sh!t-stirring with his contrarian bullcrap, and cherry-picking excerpts so he can try to twist them into his self-serving narrative. I mean ... The Philadelphia Flyers, an uber-elite NHL organization known for its constant development of young talent into a seemingly endless string of bona fide Stanley Cup contenders, right? No??? Someone better tell potty then ...


I guess I've moderated a little bit on that issue over the years, but I still make no apologies for preferring the four-year commitment players. I've probably drawn my imaginary line at three years for a while now, as guys like Trevor van Riemsdyk and Max Gildon leaving after three years didn't irk me at all, or at least not nearly as badly as Derek Bekar did after '98, and how that may have been the difference in the '99 title game. These days, the guys leaving early are usually leaving to transfer, as opposed to turning pro like JvR and Poturalski (and yeah, smarter folks than I have convinced me that all situations are different for these kids/young adults). I guess my three year "approval" line was just reinforced by Trey Augustine hanging around for 3 seasons at MSU.

Remember when UNH players used to turn pro and either go straight to the NHL (rare), or at the very least the upper tiers of the AHL as legitimate NHL prospects?

Now all we see is pseudo-prospects signing for beer money and two squares in the Coast, and learning some harsh life lessons along the way ...

I agree with your “3 year” rule. As much as I enjoy guys staying all 4 years (TyK comes to mind) a lot of the “cream of the crop” tend to leave by year 3 nowadays… if not sooner.

Poturalski was one that really surprised me at the time. Yea he has had a successful career with brief cups of coffee in the big show, but I wonder if he ever thinks “what if” if he stayed his junior year in Durham. That was TyK’s senior season, and I can only imagine what he could have done that year. He was already knocking on the Hobey door as a sophomore, and with TyK he may have really made a strong case for the hardware. If anything he likely would have made it to 100 career points as a junior - a very rare feat even then.

Umile would have also most definitely reached that NRN.

Hindsight is 20:20 though. Interestingly enough, Romeo has a fairly similar line to Poturalski his last year in the USHL, both at the same age (Pots did have more assists). I think we would all be THRILLED if Romeo turns into another Poturalski.

One can hope!

 

[Dan]

Dan: Mike McMahon literally covers college hockey for a living.

Huh, what a coincidence, I once literally covered college hockey for a living...

Just one of many things I've done providing me with both shared and first-hand insight into the topics at hand.

 

[Felger]

I agree with your “3 year” rule. As much as I enjoy guys staying all 4 years (TyK comes to mind) a lot of the “cream of the crop” tend to leave by year 3 nowadays… if not sooner.

Poturalski was one that really surprised me at the time. Yea he has had a successful career with brief cups of coffee in the big show, but I wonder if he ever thinks “what if” if he stayed his junior year in Durham. That was TyK’s senior season, and I can only imagine what he could have done that year. He was already knocking on the Hobey door as a sophomore, and with TyK he may have really made a strong case for the hardware. If anything he likely would have made it to 100 career points as a junior - a very rare feat even then.

Umile would have also most definitely reached that NRN.

Hindsight is 20:20 though. Interestingly enough, Romeo has a fairly similar line to Poturalski his last year in the USHL, both at the same age (Pots did have more assists). I think we would all be THRILLED if Romeo turns into another Poturalski.

One can hope!

Its pretty tough to ask for more than 3 years in college given that NHL rights expire then. If a player has any future the organization does want to lose the asset. Its Just one more reminder that times change.

With regard to Romeo, does anybody know the backstory with his flip from Lowell to UNH? I know prospects decomitt all the time but something felt different about this one.
Inquiring minds want to know!

You can hope he's Andrew Poturalski, but I'm hoping for Mike Vecchione.

 

[Will]

Its pretty tough to ask for more than 3 years in college given that NHL rights expire then. If a player has any future the organization does want to lose the asset. Its Just one more reminder that times change.

With regard to Romeo, does anybody know the backstory with his flip from Lowell to UNH? I know prospects decomitt all the time but something felt different about this one.
Inquiring minds want to know!

You can hope he's Andrew Poturalski, but I'm hoping for Mike Vecchione.

He was part of a group of four players that all de-committed from UML at the same time. There are some theories on the UML recruits thread, but this is the one I personally believe: https://fanforum.uscho.com/threads/uml-recruiting-finally-in-the-20s.26008/post-2942987

 

[Potluck]

Huh, what a coincidence, I once literally covered college hockey for a living...

So you don’t cover college hockey. McMahon does. I’m sure you did a fine job, but you should realize the difference between reporting and speculating. Buford and The Flunkies don’t but you certainly do.

 

[HockeyRef]

Its pretty tough to ask for more than 3 years in college given that NHL rights expire then. If a player has any future the organization does want to lose the asset. Its Just one more reminder that times change.

With regard to Romeo, does anybody know the backstory with his flip from Lowell to UNH? I know prospects decomitt all the time but something felt different about this one.
Inquiring minds want to know!

You can hope he's Andrew Poturalski, but I'm hoping for Mike Vecchione.

Either one works... Potsy is killing it in Russia...not sure what's going on with MV...AHL? Wonder what's happened to hokydad...those were the days...

 

[Felger]

Buford and The Flunkies

Think I saw them at the Stone Church once

 

[GrouchyUNHer]

So you don’t cover college hockey. McMahon does. I’m sure you did I fine job, but you should realize the difference between reporting and speculating. Buford and The Flunkies don’t but you certainly do.

WHEN ARE YOU GONNA JUST SHUT THE F*CK UP, A-HOLE????? YOU KNOW JACK-SHIT!!! DEAL WITH IT!!!!