UNH- How Far West Do We Go?

[Potluck]

There is absolutely nothing - zero, zip, nada, zilch - that UNH is doing nowadays that is better than what they used to do as a program 20+ years ago. The best thing UNH did in the early Umile era was do have ambition, almost extreme ambition at that. They not only modernized what Snively previously had to offer, but dared to almost double the capacity of the old place. Which meant there were a lot of reputations on the line internally, and the motivation, the pressure to succeed ... while it initially almost killed Coach Umile (forcing him to quit the lung darts circa 1997), everyone - coaches and admins included - raised their game and somehow made it work. They literally used much the same blueprint as Dartmouth had with Thompson Arena, but made it bigger and better ... they saw the crazy momentum that Walshy had built in Orono, and ended up almost matching it on the ice, and possibly exceeded it off the ice (revenue).

There's no doubt in my mind that Jack Parker pushed BU to build the palace that is Agganis, as a direct result of the challenges he faced from northern NE. But at some point, mostly due to an embedded AD who professionally found himself on 3rd base when hired by UNH, thinking he had stroked a triple all by himself, ambition turned into much more careful and measured commitment, empire building, and loss of focus on what had once been the greatest sports "franchise" in the history of the State of New Hampshire. Excuses became too easy and convenient, and folks in the admin who once had an edict to fill those extra seats, could now point to the bigger arena in the center of the state, and instead of fighting to preserve their hard-earned gains ... they just gave it away.


Putting aside the overly dramatic overtones you constantly harp on, and with all due respect (!) ... it's not so much a matter of "modernizing", it's a matter of having MUCH more competent and ambitious professionals running the show in Durham. Sprucing things up and modernizing aspects of the program are part of a successful strategy, but cannot be THE strategy. "Shrink The Rink" is the albatross currently draped over MS7's shoulders, and it's a monument to the program's loss of ambition. UNH might just as well have taken all of that money and lit it on fire at center ice of The Whitt. I hope no one forgets that ...

Umile got the job simply by being promoted to head coach when Kullen suddenly died. No search. UNH hired an alum thst had no head coaching experience other than high school. There was nothing ambitious in general about the hockey program in the early 90s. There was nothing ambitious or innovative about Umile hiring his GBL buddy Chris Serino to be his recruiter.

The key was construction of the Whitt.

Overnight UNH went from having an upscale high school rink with some charm to the number 2 facility in the east behind Conte. The number 3 facility was far behind.

 

[NCAA watcher]

UNH hired Brian McCloskey in Aug 1992

UNH made huge splashes by securing the best two eastern USA players (Eric Boguniecki over Maine and BU, and Tom Nolan over BC and Michigan) in Nov 1992, as well as top Western Canadian player Tim Murray.

Boguniecki was heavily recruited by the University of Maine. “I thought UNH was the place for me,” Boguniecki said. “I had pretty much, UNH in mind since last year.” Boguniecki, a sturdy 5-8, 185 pound center, is a senior at Westminster, a prep school in Simsbury, Conn. He is a member of the U.S. Select 17 team which competed at the Phoenix Cup in Japan, July 29-Aug. 10, against teams from Russia, Canada and Japan. Boguniecki led the U.S. in scoring with two goals and he tied for first in points with thee during the three-game tournament. He was also a member of the U.S. Select 16 team the year before. Boguniecki said he was impressed with the school’s campus and UNH’s coaching staff headed by Dick Umile. “ I wanted to play in Hockey East and I wanted to stay in the East,” he said. “I’m looking forward (to attending UNH). I can’t wait.” Boguniecki, who shoots right, led Westminster to a berth in the Division 1 prep school finals last season. He scored 26 goals and added 39 assists for 65 points. He scored a total of 96 points his freshman and sophomore years at the Gunnery School in Connecticut before transferring to Westminster. Boguniecki is considered one of the top forward recruits in the United States.

Nolan, a 5-10, 175-pound center from Springfield, Mass., and Larochelle, a 6-1, 180-pound goaltender, selected UNH after visiting the campus last weekend. Nolan is considered the prize jewel of UNH’s recruiting class. A creative playmaker and scorer, the Avon Old Farms forward was among the top recruits in the country. He visited Maine, Boston College and St. Lawrence and was also being recruited by Michigan, Michigan State and Providence. “I love the coaches,” Nolan said of the UNH staff. “The coaches were just great plus I love the campus. I want to get my degree and help the team win a national championship,” he added. “They’re striving to get better and better every day. I think they’re working toward and striving toward a national championship. I think we can do it in a couple of year.” Nolan is hoping to be an impact player. “I can’t wait to get up there,” he said. Nolan scored 29 goals and dished out 24 assists last season for Avon. As a sophomore, he scored 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists). His older sister, Amy, is a senior at UNH.

Murray visited Kent State and was also being recruited by Michigan State, North Dakota, Clarkson, Notre Dame and Boston University. He has 2 goals and 19 assists in 23 games. “That’s my strength,” he said of the offensive game. The NCAA’s early signing period ends Wednesday and the UNH coaching staff acquired its needs – and then some – by nabbing five top recruits. Also signing letters of intent were forwards Tom Nolan (Springfield, Mass.) and Eric Boguniecki (West Haven, Conn.), defenseman Dean Woodman (Mississauga, Ontario) and goaltender Brian Larochelle (Manchester, N.H.). Murray is expected to contribute immediately next season. Murray visited the UNH campus Nov. 6-7 and witnessed UNH’s 4-4 tie with Air Force and the first period of UNH’s 6-3 win the next night over the Falcons before departing for a flight home. Murray said he was impressed with UNH’s style of play and the atmosphere inside Snively Arena. “It was pretty wild,” he said. “I really enjoyed it.” Notre Dame is the former school of current UNH sophomore Eric Flinton. “Tim Murray is doing very well for us,” Hounds head coach Dave Kenney said. “He is an excellent, excellent hockey player. He is an extremely strong skater. He sees the ice very, very well. Overall he’s a skilled player.” He is going to be an impact player,” Kenney added. Kenney said National Hockey League scouts are very high on Murray. Murray said he’s not worried about where he might be selected in the next amateur draft. “I’ve heard a little bit but I’m not concerned about it,” Murray said.

The $18 million Snively Arena upgrade was first reported in June 17, 1993 Concord Monitor

 

[NCAA watcher]

I would also note that these articles written by Barry Scanlon were new real-time recruiting news. Barry Scanlon didn't just stumble on this news. That undoubtedly reflected and was a product of McCloskey's enthusiasm for sharing recruiting information with the press, to build and reinforce the excitement.

 

[Potluck]

'Watcher: Glad you're back posting. My recollection is that the hockey program collapsed in the 80s because Charlie Holt didn't change with the times. After the Holt retirement, the program was set back probably for 2 years in all respects due to Kullen's illness. Kullen got things jump started by bringing in Winnes, Plavsic, Flanagan, Amodeo, Dean, Scott Morrow and Mitrovic. I know Sean Coady really helped out during this phase in Ontario. Then Kullen suddenly passed away. Kullen was no less ambitious than Umile.

I think the discussion in the last few posts today is about ambition. The only lapse in ambition I saw from UNH hockey was at the end of Umile's run. Like Holt, Umile just let the program grow stale. The college hockey world has changed so much since the 80s and 90s. There's an arms race going on and UNH has no money to really compete. I am fine with listing Souza as a problem, but he's not THE problem. Lack of institutional commitment has been the killer for the past 10 years.

When Kullen and Umile started bringing in blue chip players, Parker was coachining in an aging and outdated Walter Brown Arena and "back of the room" amenities at at colleges including BC's Conte consisted of standard hockey locker rooms with individual no frills lockers with hooks and bench seating. In other worlds, hustle and sweat went a long way in recruiting. The Serino recruitment of Boggie story is great. Those days are looooooooong gone.

In the era of advisors and competing facilities, blood sweat and tears is merely charming but not decisive. Just look at the way the Bruins use BC as a farm team.

 

[Potluck]

I'll just follow up by saying when Umile stepped down, a new generation of UNH hockey began. But UNH did nothing. There should have been a major evaluation of the program with any eye on ensuring it was keeping up with the times. Such things often cost money, which likely is the reason UNH did nothing. The descent continued.

UNH needs do to a full scale evaluation of the hockey program from top to bottom. As I mentioned, that should have been done in 2015. All questions must be on the table.

 

[Jellsville USA]

From the BC fan page (should I stay or should I go?):

Move Conmy to the fourth line. He is basically just here for the PP (a very good weapon on the PP). He has 2 points, both PPGs and he skates on a line with two supremely talented guys in Hagens and Teddy Stiga. This line generally doesn't do much most nights 5 on 5 (Hagens goal vs RPI was just as a PP expired) and is probably the worst first line I've ever seen at BC. To have only two points right now is telling and plenty of a sample size. Hagens should be dominating and he really isn't. Not sure if Jellvik is ever going to come back but when he does, you shuffle the lines around big time. That obviously is a concern IMO as we saw last year there was inability and disinterest by the staff to find viable line combos and their fate was sealed the minute the lineup card was submitted in Manchester after the Northeastern debacle.

 

[d.gerry]

From the BC fan page (should I stay or should I go?):

Move Conmy to the fourth line. He is basically just here for the PP (a very good weapon on the PP). He has 2 points, both PPGs and he skates on a line with two supremely talented guys in Hagens and Teddy Stiga. This line generally doesn't do much most nights 5 on 5 (Hagens goal vs RPI was just as a PP expired) and is probably the worst first line I've ever seen at BC. To have only two points right now is telling and plenty of a sample size. Hagens should be dominating and he really isn't. Not sure if Jellvik is ever going to come back but when he does, you shuffle the lines around big time. That obviously is a concern IMO as we saw last year there was inability and disinterest by the staff to find viable line combos and their fate was sealed the minute the lineup card was submitted in Manchester after the Northeastern debacle.

Conmy is now a small fish in a big pond.

 

[JB]

When Kullen and Umile started bringing in blue chip players, Parker was coachining in an aging and outdated Walter Brown Arena and "back of the room" amenities at at colleges including BC's Conte consisted of standard hockey locker rooms with individual no frills lockers with hooks and bench seating. In other worlds, hustle and sweat went a long way in recruiting. The Serino recruitment of Boggie story is great. Those days are looooooooong gone.

This is the place we disagree. Barr at Maine and Ferschweiler at Western Michigan have in the last couple years showed that work hard at recruiting you can get the talent to come in and now they are both getting the upgrades. All the pretty upgrades in the world wont fix the problem behind the bench.

UNH needs to go get a competent coach that is going to drive recruiting.

 

[bakchk20]

Umile got the job simply by being promoted to head coach when Kullen suddenly died. No search. UNH hired an alum thst had no head coaching experience other than high school. There was nothing ambitious in general about the hockey program in the early 90s. There was nothing ambitious or innovative about Umile hiring his GBL buddy Chris Serino to be his recruiter.

The key was construction of the Whitt.

Overnight UNH went from having an upscale high school rink with some charm to the number 2 facility in the east behind Conte. The number 3 facility was far behind.

Conte is a basketball facility, IMHO. And how is it that the geniuses screwed up the hockey bench layout?

 

[Potluck]

This is the place we disagree. Barr at Maine and Ferschweiler at Western Michigan have in the last couple years showed that work hard at recruiting you can get the talent to come in and now they are both getting the upgrades. All the pretty upgrades in the world wont fix the problem behind the bench.

UNH needs to go get a competent coach that is going to drive recruiting.

Here we go with the chicken or the egg coming first debate. Western Michigan went all on college hockey and now has a natty. Here's the plan for the new arena that was announced 21 months ago.

New renderings for $300M downtown arena cast spotlight on Western Michigan University

New images were released to the public on Thursday, Jan. 25.

www.mlive.com

Alfond went all on on Maine Hockey and it rose to the top again. A coach will not be able to do it alone. The AD and institution needs to decide the program is a priority. If UNH hires an excellent coach to replace Souza, he'll just leave in 3 or 4 years for something bigger and better. See Nate Leaman.

 

[d.gerry]

Here we go with the chicken or the egg coming first debate. Western Michigan went all on college hockey and now has a natty. Here's the plan for the new arena that was announced 21 months ago.

New renderings for $300M downtown arena cast spotlight on Western Michigan University

New images were released to the public on Thursday, Jan. 25.

www.mlive.com

Alfond went all on on Maine Hockey and it rose to the top again. A coach will not be able to do it alone. The AD and institution needs to decide the program is a priority. If UNH hires an excellent coach to replace Souza, he'll just leave in 3 or 4 years for something bigger and better. See Nate Leaman.

I have to agree with Potty on this one. Except for the hiring of a "legendary" coach (who would that even be right now, as far as active coaches are concerned?), a new coach alone isn't enough to turn the tide. Facilities are and will continue to be an important part of the recruiting package, especially for a team (like UNH) that's been flirting with the basement of league and national standings/rankings. The Whit was state-of-the-art THREE DECADES ago, but is now just another college rink with no real appeal. Modernization and enhancements are needed (for athletes and fans alike) to generate buzz. Just as important as the head coach is the team of assistants surrounding him and the support from the administration. The fact that Souza was extended, the years-old announced improvements have yet to break ground, produce solid plans, or even a timetable, and the silence on all of these from AD SB speaks volumes to recruits and fans. We may have to resign ourselves to the fact that UNH doesn't care and stop holding out hope. None of this even considers NIL and its impact.

 

[HockeyRef]

Here we go with the chicken or the egg coming first debate. Western Michigan went all on college hockey and now has a natty. Here's the plan for the new arena that was announced 21 months ago.

New renderings for $300M downtown arena cast spotlight on Western Michigan University

New images were released to the public on Thursday, Jan. 25.

www.mlive.com

Alfond went all on on Maine Hockey and it rose to the top again. A coach will not be able to do it alone. The AD and institution needs to decide the program is a priority. If UNH hires an excellent coach to replace Souza, he'll just leave in 3 or 4 years for something bigger and better. See Nate Leaman.

Fine with me..as long as we get to the Garden or a Regional...

 

[2013hockeyfan]

Interesting to see the beginnings of a turnaround at Miami of Ohio who is 6-0 to start the season under second year head coach Anthony Noreen following a 3-28-3 season in the NCHC in his opening season. Of note is that Miami had a golden age run in the late 2000s to early/mid 2010s, about a decade after UNH's peak, and has wallowed in mediocrity for a decade or so. Still a long way to go to determine if the start of this season is a corner turned or just luck/success against other middling programs (wins are over Ferris State, RPI, and Lindenwood), but will be interesting to follow. Notably, Miami of Ohio built a new arena in 2006 in the run up to their near decade of sustained success under Enrico Blasi.

 

[JB]

Here we go with the chicken or the egg coming first debate. Western Michigan went all on college hockey and now has a natty. Here's the plan for the new arena that was announced 21 months ago.

If you would come with anything real I might give you some credit. Instead you either don't read or ignore reality to make a false argument.

I am not doing an exhaustive search, with a quick one the earliest announcement I see on the arena is 2024.

Wikipedia "In January 2024, Bill Johnston of the wealth management firm Greenleaf Trust announced that a new event center in downtown Kalamazoo was scheduled to break ground by the end of the year."

They won the title in April of 2025. So the players impacted by the announcement would only be freshman or transfers. These are the ones that committed after the annoucement and had an impact
- Goalie Hampton Slukynsky committed in June 2024 so he was potentially impacted
- of the top 10 scorers #4 was a transfer Grant Slukynsky - will never play in the new arena but maybe his brother playing in it matters
- of the top 10 scorers #5 was a transfer Liam Valente - will never play in the new arena

Do they win the title without those 3... maybe not
Do they make the frozen 4 ... maybe
Do they make the NCAAs... highly likely

The other goalie was no slouch and had better numbers than Hampton all year. Hampton did get hotter than hot in the playoffs and NCAAs.
Bump was the "straw that stirred the drink" on that team and he was on campus as a freshman before the arena was announced

That Western team won because of recruiting and coaching in an arena 20 years older than the Whitt with no major renovations since the Whitt was opened.

 

[JB]

Alfond went all on on Maine Hockey and it rose to the top again. A coach will not be able to do it alone. The AD and institution needs to decide the program is a priority. If UNH hires an excellent coach to replace Souza, he'll just leave in 3 or 4 years for something bigger and better. See Nate Leaman.

Barr had Maine turned around before the recent Alfond gift... would he have stayed who knows, some would have wondered the same about Walshy in the early 90's.

Barr won then they got the money.

These coaches are working very hard and you keep saying it is really the facilities. That is really horrible of you to disparage the coaching work going on.

 

[JB]

I have to agree with Potty on this one. Except for the hiring of a "legendary" coach (who would that even be right now, as far as active coaches are concerned?), a new coach alone isn't enough to turn the tide. Facilities are and will continue to be an important part of the recruiting package, especially for a team (like UNH) that's been flirting with the basement of league and national standings/rankings. The Whit was state-of-the-art THREE DECADES ago, but is now just another college rink with no real appeal. Modernization and enhancements are needed (for athletes and fans alike) to generate buzz. Just as important as the head coach is the team of assistants surrounding him and the support from the administration. The fact that Souza was extended, the years-old announced improvements have yet to break ground, produce solid plans, or even a timetable, and the silence on all of these from AD SB speaks volumes to recruits and fans. We may have to resign ourselves to the fact that UNH doesn't care and stop holding out hope. None of this even considers NIL and its impact.

Could say almost all of the same things about Maine in 20-21 when Red was the coach.

 

[Potluck]

Elwood:

You clearly don't understand organizational excellence. If the company is not committed to excellence, hiring a CEO that is becomes very unlikely. If such a moribund organization stumbles into one, they'll leave in short order.

If the company is not committed to excellence, creating the infrastructure necessary for sustained success will not happen.

UNH athletics exhibits no signs of being committed to excellence. Hence, failure is inevitable.

You are searching for Superman. Superman was a fictional character. You simply think UNH hires Superman, and he decides to do the following:

1. take a reduced salary because he has no track record
2. find numerous diamonds in the rough to mold into excellent players
3. coach a team of underdogs into a top 10 team and make several runs at league and national titles to create a local wave of massive excitement
4. generate such excitement that it reawakens a moribund athletic department actively looking to reduce costs
5. generate such excitement that it reawakens a moribund administration actively looking to reduce costs.
6. generate such excitement that wealthy donors step forward to help UNH hockey build improved facilities, increase recruiting budgets, and increase the pay of assistants and the head coach
7. somehow keep superman from leaving.

You are dreaming a silly, silly dream.

 

[d.gerry]

Could say almost all of the same things about Maine in 20-21 when Red was the coach.

Agree, but Maine has taken the necessary steps to improve. What has UNH done? Crickets

 

[JB]

Agree, but Maine has taken the necessary steps to improve. What has UNH done? Crickets

Ahhh... need to hire the coach that can recruit, can coach, can communicate to the fans and has vision

Then you have the opportunity to get better players, coach them up, increase the winning, get the community engaged (both doners and voters) and you communicate the winning vision...

 

[Potluck]

Elwood,

The alternative to my prior post is the following:

1. The AD or influential alum steps forward and asks the UNH to examine the state of UNH hockey.
2. The UNH admin and AD will name a committee of several former players who have done well in business, a faculty member from the Paul school, a loyal successful alum with success in business with no ties to UNH hockey, a current senior UNH administrator, and the AD or assistant AD to do the investigation
3. The job of the committee will be to determine why UNH hockey in no longer competitive in D1 hockey
4. The committee's task will be to make recommendations to improve the program to a consistent top 20 hockey program with a winning Hockey East record
5. The committee will create an action plan with costs to achieve the goal