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UNH Hockey Off Season Thread 2026

Chuck Murray said:
In other UNH related news ... former UNH defenseman Kevin Dean was let go by the Vancouver Canucks, as he was an assistant under HC Adam Foote, who was shown the door after one disappointing season. Dean was a key contributor during the UNH turnaround in the late '80's/early '90's and enjoyed a big breakout season as a senior with 10 goals from the blueline at Lively Snively. He played under Coaches O'Connor, Kullen and Umile, and after being a 5th round selection by the Devils before he arrived at Durham, he eventually went on to a 7-year NHL career, mostly with the Devils, where he was a fringe player during the strike shortened 1994/1995 season, his first year in The Show. He spent most of that season captaining the Devils' AHL affiliate in Albany, where he achieved a very rare feat in the annals of NA pro hockey. Dean is one of only four players in history to win both the Calder Cup and the Stanley Cup in the exact same season.

Dean has been working in coaching for the last 20 seasons, mostly as an assistant, but with short stints as HC in his only ECHL season, and his final season at Providence, where he succeeded his former AHL boss Bruce Cassidy, and joined him the following season in Boston for the duration of Cassidy's Boston run.

My sources tell me Dean maintains a residence in North Andover MA (a/k/a home of the defending HEA champs Merrimack), and as he is now in his late 50's, there's a possibility he could be one to receive a lot of consideration for the UNH head coaching job IF he decides to step away from the NHL game for a more sane travel schedule with his alma mater's program looking a lot like the one he started out with back in the late '80's.

As to the financial implications for Dean ... on the average, NHL assistants usually make something in the range of $250,000-$400,000, so a (mostly untaxed) $250,000-$350,000 salary as UNH HC would not be a shock to the financial system for Dean. Something to keep an eye on, for sure ...
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Kevin Dean remains 15th all time for NHL games played by UNH alums s at 331.

I recall that Dean’s name came up in our thread when MS7 was anointed as the future HC.

BTW, Eric Boguniecki, whose name also came up when MS7 was hired, dropped to 25th all time for NHL games played by UNH alums at 178 when he was surpassed by Casey DeSmith this past season.
 
Snively65 said:
Kevin Dean remains 15th all time for NHL games played by UNH alums s at 331.

I recall that Dean’s name came up in our thread when MS7 was anointed as the future HC.

BTW, Eric Boguniecki, whose name also came up when MS7 was hired, dropped to 25th all time for NHL games played by UNH alums at 178 when he was surpassed by Casey DeSmith this past season.
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Kevin is an assistant coach with Team USA currently competing at the IIHF Championship in Switzerland.
 
Dan said:
Kolmakov is almost certainly a pick up for next off season. I love his track record and apparent style of play. Sticking with the theme of PPG, he posted an otherworldly 2.49 PPG playing 16U for Little Caesar's in 24-25, before netting 13-35--48 (0.78 PPG) for Sherbrooke of the QMJHL this season. Lots of assists; he'll fit nicely with some of the more finisher oriented prospects UNH has added of late...

Without any inside information, I still believe (hope) there is a good chance Guité ends up in Durham this fall. More than anything else, I simply want him to come this season because I believe it benefits both present and future UNH Hockey. But there are also strong reasons for either side to see his immediate matriculation as crucial.

Souza's future at UNH is on the line. Forget loyalty, forget roster planning, he needs to win this season and Guité is a talent...

Guité scored 25-32--57 in 61 games as a 16 year old in Chicoutimi. Following that season, several outlets projected the possibility of him being selected as high as the second-round of the 2025 NHL Draft. He managed just 30 points in 59 games during his 17 year old season and eventually slipped to the fifth-round, where Anaheim grabbed him. Obviously, Guité rebounded this season posting more than a PPG and helping Chicoutimi to the Memorial Cup.

For Guité its primarily a question of development. Yes, he could stay in Chicoutimi and become the team's best player, while dominating the level, but to what end? One of the biggest 'knocks' or 'developmental avenues' listed in his scouting reports is his strength and physicality. I'd imagine he'd benefit tremendously from the college schedule and the weight room advantage that comes with.

Similar to prior Henriquez discussion, why does a player of that calibre choose UNH Hockey in its current state? Usually, because that offer is the one that allows the player to face the development jump/challenge immediately, as opposed to next off-season (Of course, you could say the same regarding Kolmakov and his early commitment to the Wildcats). With other rosters full, UNH agrees to take him now, whereas next season everyone would have room..?

It would seem a questionable decision on UNH's part (and a risky one for Souza), and an odd choice on Guité's part if his commitment was projected for 2027. For what its worth, the Heisenberg Spreadsheet currently as Guité as a 2026 and Kolmakov as a 2027. So here's hoping...

I guess we wait and see.
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I'm pretty sure Guite is coming this fall. I'm wondering if Souza if he sticks around will be bringing kids in earlier with the new pending 4-5 year restructuring? Maybe Dan can help out here. Under the new rule if passed a 21 year old freshman will only have 2 years of eligibility am I reading that right?.
 
Robert Balin said:
Guite wears number #89 and no UNH player has ever worn #86 so I'd say no one..:LOL:
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Chicoutimi Sagueneens 2025-26 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com

The roster, scoring and goaltender statistics for the 2025-26 Chicoutimi Sagueneens playing in the QMJHL.
www.hockeydb.com

Moncton Wildcats 2025-26 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com

The roster, scoring and goaltender statistics for the 2025-26 Moncton Wildcats playing in the QMJHL.
www.hockeydb.com
 
At least Dean has a part-time job at the Worlds while he mulls over the next (final?) step in his long and honorable career in hockey ...
 
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