UNH- How Far West Do We Go?

[grooverider]

It's really fucking embarrassing what you guys have turned into. Sweep in Orono I was like do we suck or is UNH that good? They were pumped coming off the ice. Then the wheels slowly fell off.

I mean what does it take to get rid of Souza? Something like the late Red Gendron (RIP).

I actually didnt give a shit when you guys won in Orono. Why? I figured you would be irrelevant end of the year. Chocked it up to luck or maybe we are just on the fly rebuilding. That's sad. From a Mainer we need you guys to be good too because then it means something. Right now it doesnt mean anything. Something has to change. UNH as a program is exactly what you think: non existent..and as I said earlier..irrelevant.

Rant off.

 

[HockeyRef]

It's really fucking embarrassing what you guys have turned into. Sweep in Orono I was like do we suck or is UNH that good? They were pumped coming off the ice. Then the wheels slowly fell off.

I mean what does it take to get rid of Souza? Something like the late Red Gendron (RIP).

I actually didnt give a shit when you guys won in Orono. Why? I figured you would be irrelevant end of the year. That's sad. From a Mainer we need you guys to be good too because then it means something. Right now it doesnt mean anything. Something has to change. UNH as a program is exactly what you think: non existent..and as I said earlier..irrelevant.

Rant off.

Gee thanks. Plenty of fans are begging for a change that never seems to come.

 

[iowabasedtraveler]

UNH- How Far West Do We Go?

It appears that East Lansing, Mich., is the correct answer. Which ironically would be the same for my fave team, Colgate. To your credit, UNH got a split out there while ‘Gate got swept. Carry on.

 

[HockeyRef]

So theres plenty of comments swirling on social media about MS7's future. One comment that comes up alot is just who are they gonna get? UNH doesnt have the $$ for a Jerry York so whats the point? Like noone on this earth would want or be decent at the job?
I dont buy that one bit....

 

[norbert]

So theres plenty of comments swirling on social media about MS7's future. One comment that comes up alot is just who are they gonna get? UNH doesnt have the $$ for a Jerry York so whats the point? Like noone on this earth would want or be decent at the job?
I dont buy that one bit....

I would take Todd the homeless guy in Durham right now and he would do it for a shot a game

 

[norbert]

Abysmal pretty much sums up tonight. Controlled the entire 1st with puck possession and give up the goal on the first shot. Life after the shorty and then Chauvette plays his worst game of the year. There is some talent when they play puck possession but that is not what is taught, which goes to coaching.

First stop is any pro offers for the few seniors and then portal watch.

 

[JB]

So theres plenty of comments swirling on social media about MS7's future. One comment that comes up alot is just who are they gonna get? UNH doesnt have the $$ for a Jerry York so whats the point? Like noone on this earth would want or be decent at the job?
I dont buy that one bit....

That sure is a winners attitude.... Our guy sucks but hey what would we do...

My simple reply, Ben Barr's first contract was for?

 

[FlagUp17]

So theres plenty of comments swirling on social media about MS7's future. One comment that comes up alot is just who are they gonna get? UNH doesnt have the $$ for a Jerry York so whats the point? Like noone on this earth would want or be decent at the job?
I dont buy that one bit....

If it comes down to $$ for not moving on from MS7, my guess is one could set up a GoFundMe and get $100 from 3,000 unhappy UNH fans in fairly short order to buy out a contract (it’s around $300K if I’m not mistaken?) if that is what it comes to… Roughly half attendance at the Whitt.

I’m not advocating to do that. But I think the $300K would be reached sooner than later.

The school would probably just choose to put the money to something else though…

 

[Jellsville USA]

Dear Mike,

I want to start by thanking you for everything you have given to the University of New Hampshire hockey program over the years. Your commitment, work ethic, and loyalty to the program have been clear, and there is no question that you care deeply about UNH hockey and the players who come through it. Coaching at this level brings immense pressure and scrutiny, and your dedication to representing the university and supporting your athletes deserves recognition and respect.

At the same time, many of us who care deeply about UNH hockey are struggling with the direction of the program in recent years. The results on the ice and the broader trajectory of the team have made it difficult for fans and supporters to feel the same optimism and competitiveness that once defined UNH hockey. For a program with such a proud history, that has been hard to watch.

Because of that, I hope you will consider stepping down as head coach. This isn’t meant as a dismissal of what you have done for the program, but rather as an acknowledgment that sometimes a program needs a new voice, new energy, and a fresh start. Making that decision voluntarily could be a powerful way to put the long-term health of UNH hockey first while preserving the respect and appreciation many still have for your contributions.

UNH hockey has meant a lot to generations of players, students, alumni, and fans, and your role in that story is significant. Thank you again for the years you have dedicated to the program and for the effort you have put into representing the university.

Wishing you the best moving forward, both personally and professionally.

Sincerely,
Forever Optimistic Fan

 

[deltabravo62]

Personally, I believe the announcement of another extension is far more likely than the announcement of parting ways...

 

[NCAA watcher]

AD Rich has ensured that UNH is Princeton without the academics. Accept that, and enjoy watching student-athletes compete (and find their future wives). If you are looking for sports as a competitive endeavor, move on to other pursuits/teams. The past 11 years of AD decisions have shown that this is not the goal of UNH. Any hope that a new AD would bring a different perspective has been shown to be a pipe-dream. I accepted that last summer after learning that in 2024 AD Rich not only did not eat a year of Coach Souza's last contract, but actually extended Coach Souza for three years. Chasing capital improvements via (presumably) Souza connections is the priority, even though Souza has shown that those investments do not change any actual recruiting/on ice results. I have enjoyed the past year so much more not watching or caring about UNH hockey. Yesterday's game on NESN was the first I watched, and it met my expectations. UNH was picked 10th, finished 10th, and went out without a whimper, just as it has for the past Souza decade. Gone are the days of attempting to advocate for sanity/change, hoping that perhaps AD Rich did not understand the hockey industry. But 11 years in, UNH knows what it is getting with him, and apparently is OK with that. This is not an inherited problem that has to be ridden-out. The 2026-27 commitment was an affirmative choice of her own volition with full knowledge. Expecting her to declare that a mistake -- after Souza literally met pre-season expectations -- seems foolish. There are far more important things to care about in life.

 

[JB]

Thanks NCAAWatcher and those post from a few pages back about really good long time UNH posters having disappeared from this message board. This is why. They are the sane ones. It is also why I generally disappear for long periods of time, other things to do that are fun and do not cause general frustration.

It is also why STH are disappearing.

 

[JB]

I saw that as well. Especially right after the 2 ENGs… Winters looked visibly frustrated but not his coach.

Part of me thinks it may be he has assurance he is coming back. How else can you show no emotion in that situation?

Acceptance of of the current situation.

UNH has a coach that doesn't care if he wins or loses, the competitive fire is gone (if it ever was there as a coach).

MS7 is happy to cash his check and knows he has at least another year.

 

[TheGrouchyCat]

Acceptance of of the current situation.

UNH has a coach that doesn't care if he wins or loses, the competitive fire is gone (if it ever was there as a coach).

MS7 is happy to cash his check and knows he has at least another year.

Is he chasing wins on the ice or a vested pension as a state employee?

 

[Robert Balin]

It's really fucking embarrassing what you guys have turned into. Sweep in Orono I was like do we suck or is UNH that good? They were pumped coming off the ice. Then the wheels slowly fell off.

I mean what does it take to get rid of Souza? Something like the late Red Gendron (RIP).

I actually didnt give a shit when you guys won in Orono. Why? I figured you would be irrelevant end of the year. Chocked it up to luck or maybe we are just on the fly rebuilding. That's sad. From a Mainer we need you guys to be good too because then it means something. Right now it doesnt mean anything. Something has to change. UNH as a program is exactly what you think: non existent..and as I said earlier..irrelevant.

Rant off.

Turned into? I think most of us are the same people we were when the season started. What a horrible thing to bring up about the late Red Gendron, we want Souza fired not dead. I speak for myself but I could give a crap what you think, good luck tonight with BC.

 

[Potluck]

AD Rich has ensured that UNH is Princeton without the academics. Accept that, and enjoy watching student-athletes compete (and find their future wives). If you are looking for sports as a competitive endeavor, move on to other pursuits/teams. The past 11 years of AD decisions have shown that this is not the goal of UNH. Any hope that a new AD would bring a different perspective has been shown to be a pipe-dream. I accepted that last summer after learning that in 2024 AD Rich not only did not eat a year of Coach Souza's last contract, but actually extended Coach Souza for three years. Chasing capital improvements via (presumably) Souza connections is the priority, even though Souza has shown that those investments do not change any actual recruiting/on ice results. I have enjoyed the past year so much more not watching or caring about UNH hockey. Yesterday's game on NESN was the first I watched, and it met my expectations. UNH was picked 10th, finished 10th, and went out without a whimper, just as it has for the past Souza decade. Gone are the days of attempting to advocate for sanity/change, hoping that perhaps AD Rich did not understand the hockey industry. But 11 years in, UNH knows what it is getting with him, and apparently is OK with that. This is not an inherited problem that has to be ridden-out. The 2026-27 commitment was an affirmative choice of her own volition with full knowledge. Expecting her to declare that a mistake -- after Souza literally met pre-season expectations -- seems foolish. There are far more important things to care about in life.

Wisdom.

The problem is the institution. No money, no urgency, no excellence. No way Souza gets fired because UNH will not pay two coaching salaries. People caught up in the coaching, which Rich probably doesn’t mind, miss what’s important.

If UNH cared (it doesn’t) a full scale examination of its athletic programs would be undertaken. No sacred cows. Everything on the table. The reason it won’t happen? Money. It does take a substantial increase in funding to renovate a home filled with dry rot. The powers that be know more money isn’t in the horizon so why bother asking the tough questions?

NH has been letting UNH go for decades. What we see is the chickens coming home.

The problem with athletics is absolutely tied to UNHs 90 percent admissions rate. Excellence is not important at UNH

 

[HockeyRef]

Dear Mike,

I want to start by thanking you for everything you have given to the University of New Hampshire hockey program over the years. Your commitment, work ethic, and loyalty to the program have been clear, and there is no question that you care deeply about UNH hockey and the players who come through it. Coaching at this level brings immense pressure and scrutiny, and your dedication to representing the university and supporting your athletes deserves recognition and respect.

At the same time, many of us who care deeply about UNH hockey are struggling with the direction of the program in recent years. The results on the ice and the broader trajectory of the team have made it difficult for fans and supporters to feel the same optimism and competitiveness that once defined UNH hockey. For a program with such a proud history, that has been hard to watch.

Because of that, I hope you will consider stepping down as head coach. This isn’t meant as a dismissal of what you have done for the program, but rather as an acknowledgment that sometimes a program needs a new voice, new energy, and a fresh start. Making that decision voluntarily could be a powerful way to put the long-term health of UNH hockey first while preserving the respect and appreciation many still have for your contributions.

UNH hockey has meant a lot to generations of players, students, alumni, and fans, and your role in that story is significant. Thank you again for the years you have dedicated to the program and for the effort you have put into representing the university.

Wishing you the best moving forward, both personally and professionally.

Sincerely,
Forever Optimistic Fan

That was a succinct and heartfelt letter. I have always wanted Mike Souza to succeed...you hit on the one thing that is so evident that cares about the program and yes is up against the obstacles that many in college sports are facing today. Wish that I had seen him in his player days!

I hope you have sent this to the powers that be...including the President of the University.
Appreciate too your 'forver optimism'...we long for the things you outlined and know the athletes do as well. In the end they are student athletes...sorry the season is over..always a bummer to exit so soon!

Future skaters please know you have many fans that look forward to welcoming you in October...see you on the first skateout of the year!!

 

[HockeyRef]

Thanks NCAAWatcher and those post from a few pages back about really good long time UNH posters having disappeared from this message board. This is why. They are the sane ones. It is also why I generally disappear for long periods of time, other things to do that are fun and do not cause general frustration.

It is also why STH are disappearing.

Well yes many have left...but many do stay. And many that leave still do come to games. Why? Well for us we enjoy the chance to see D1 college hockey right here in our home state. Which is facing some tough times going forward...
Anyway advocating for change is all anyone has even if it seems futile. I suggest supporting the team on the ice is the first step in all of this in whatever way one sees fit.
Despite the outcome we had some bright spots. Defeated some ranked teams. Saw some players come along and hopefully they come back next season.

 

[Potluck]

Anyway advocating for change is all anyone has even if it seems futile.

What about writing to the NH politicians that are UNH alums? Raise the issues of UNH's embarrassing admissions rate, continued programs cuts and the demise of the athletic programs. Posts on this site have no meaning. What constructive steps are the NH VOTERS that post here taking? Most likely none. If politicians think it will cost them votes, they will at least pay some attention.

The key is for people to see that UNH is NOT a private business; accordingly, private business principles do not apply. Talking about increased revenue due to increased ticket sales means nothing to politicians. Zero. It's 100% about politics. Politics is about leverage, nothing more. Political spending is about political priorities, which has very little in common with private spending.

 

[Snively65]

What about writing to the NH politicians that are UNH alums? Raise the issues of UNH's embarrassing admissions rate, continued programs cuts and the demise of the athletic programs. Posts on this site have no meaning. What constructive steps are the NH VOTERS that post here taking? Most likely none. If politicians think it will cost them votes, they will at least pay some attention.

The key is for people to see that UNH is NOT a private business; accordingly, private business principles do not apply. Talking about increased revenue due to increased ticket sales means nothing to politicians. Zero. It's 100% about politics. Politics is about leverage, nothing more. Political spending is about political priorities, which has very little in common with private spending.

I think that you actually make some good posts when you are not preoccupied with the juvenile name-calling.