UNH Men’s Hockey 22-23: the start of something new, or more of the same?

[Chuck Murray]

UNH (3-11-1) vs. HC (3-12-1). Attendance 408. Glad I went to the football game. Watching on NESN+ I didn't see any quit, thought we played okay. Once again we can't finish, hit multiple posts/crossbar and made the opposing goalie, a three year Bentley transfer with a total of 18 GP (3.32, 8.91), look like Kenny Dryden. Lack of rebound control or a defensive rebound clear cost us in OT. The football 'cats seek revenge at Fitton field in 6 days!

Serious question - is this the least-attended game UNH Hockey has competed in since the dawn of the Hockey East era? Has to be (putting aside any virus-related quirks of the last couple of years, of course?)? For context, please note that UNH Basketball is averaging more than 600 so far this season, and they are currently off to a typically-meh 2-3 start to the season. Men's Soccer averaged 1,600 per game for 11 home games.

Wasn't all that long ago that UNH could bank on at least 408 traveling fans to support them for most road games within an hour of campus, and that figure would slide easily into the multiple thousands for postseason games at neutral sites. And now it's fallen to "friends and family" for 90 minute treks to rinky-dink Atlantic Hockey barns. Make no mistake, we are watching the complete, utter collapse of what has long been UNH's flagship team/sport. Sad.

But arguably the most frustrating aspect of this collapse is the matching lack of any apparent journalistic interest in prodding around the program for any answers or insight into what's gone so spectacularly wrong?

So in the interests of all on here who are wondering not only what's gone wrong, but why it's gone wrong - both in more distant times over the past decade and more recent past, and who is going to do what (and when) to turn this sinking ship around, I'm gonna activate my Effingwoods Hockey Almanac investigative persona, and offer any past or current UNH player, coach and/or admin type, or knowledgeable non-UNH persons total and complete anonymity to have a frank conversation about the events and the decisions that have led the program to its current state of disrepair. Just reach out to me via the IM feature on this board, be prepared to prove who you are, and we can work out the details from that point forward. If the Union Leader or Foster's/Seacoast Online or Concord Monitor won't do it, I will.

Thanks for your consideration.

 

[Felger]

Serious question - is this the least-attended game UNH Hockey has competed in since the dawn of the Hockey East era? Has to be (putting aside any virus-related quirks of the last couple of years, of course?)? For context, please note that UNH Basketball is averaging more than 600 so far this season, and they are currently off to a typically-meh 2-3 start to the season. Men's Soccer averaged 1,600 per game for 11 home games.

Wasn't all that long ago that UNH could bank on at least 408 traveling fans to support them for most road games within an hour of campus, and that figure would slide easily into the multiple thousands for postseason games at neutral sites. And now it's fallen to "friends and family" for 90 minute treks to rinky-dink Atlantic Hockey barns. Make no mistake, we are watching the complete, utter collapse of what has long been UNH's flagship team/sport. Sad.

But arguably the most frustrating aspect of this collapse is the matching lack of any apparent journalistic interest in prodding around the program for any answers or insight into what's gone so spectacularly wrong?

So in the interests of all on here who are wondering not only what's gone wrong, but why it's gone wrong - both in more distant times over the past decade and more recent past, and who is going to do what (and when) to turn this sinking ship around, I'm gonna activate my Effingwoods Hockey Almanac investigative persona, and offer any past or current UNH player, coach and/or admin type, or knowledgeable non-UNH persons total and complete anonymity to have a frank conversation about the events and the decisions that have led the program to its current state of disrepair. Just reach out to me via the IM feature on this board, be prepared to prove who you are, and we can work out the details from that point forward. If the Union Leader or Foster's/Seacoast Online or Concord Monitor won't do it, I will.

Thanks for your consideration.

I know its comparing apples and oranges but I bet there will be more than 408 UNH fans making the trip for next Saturday's UNH-Holy Cross contest.

 

[Nifty16]

Serious question - is this the least-attended game UNH Hockey has competed in since the dawn of the Hockey East era? Has to be (putting aside any virus-related quirks of the last couple of years, of course?)? For context, please note that UNH Basketball is averaging more than 600 so far this season, and they are currently off to a typically-meh 2-3 start to the season. Men's Soccer averaged 1,600 per game for 11 home games.

Wasn't all that long ago that UNH could bank on at least 408 traveling fans to support them for most road games within an hour of campus, and that figure would slide easily into the multiple thousands for postseason games at neutral sites. And now it's fallen to "friends and family" for 90 minute treks to rinky-dink Atlantic Hockey barns. Make no mistake, we are watching the complete, utter collapse of what has long been UNH's flagship team/sport. Sad.

Be honest I haven’t even thought twice about going to a road game this year, question going to some home games. Use to be that Lowell and Merrimack use to be home games for the Cats. Do notice at home games there are a lot of faces I use to see at games that are no longer there. As we get into another cold New England winter I am sure we will see a huge nose dive in attendance. What does it say when they are doing Black Friday deals for tickets for the Maine weekend? Use to be that those were hit tickets. I use to have to get scalped tickets for friends I had come down from Maine. I hope the new AD looks at past numbers and current numbers and ask the question why? We know that hockey can draw but not this hockey. Just look at this board and how many people are on it these days. I know that is like that all around college hockey but seems more here then other post. Use to be after a game wound have a dozen people talking about the game and what went right and wrong. Now there is little talk about the game, unless is a soccer of football game.

Hate these players don’t get to experience what a real rocking Whitt can be like. As mentioned before these kids have no quit and I do appreciate that. I will cheer for them and not the coaching staff. These guys are being putting in a tough position that they did not create. Use to see players make a jump from year to another which shows there was leadership in the off season that provided that guidance. Now I do not see that. I don it know what the identity of this team is. Use to have one person you could see was basically given the keys to team to drive it and lead it on the ice, who is that now? Leadership starts at the top and with out that you have what we have now.

 

[phb]

Wonder ir Ricky Santos would like to try his hand at coaching hockey, too.

 

[Darius]

Serious question - is this the least-attended game UNH Hockey has competed in since the dawn of the Hockey East era? Has to be (putting aside any virus-related quirks of the last couple of years, of course?)? For context, please note that UNH Basketball is averaging more than 600 so far this season, and they are currently off to a typically-meh 2-3 start to the season. Men's Soccer averaged 1,600 per game for 11 home games.

Wasn't all that long ago that UNH could bank on at least 408 traveling fans to support them for most road games within an hour of campus, and that figure would slide easily into the multiple thousands for postseason games at neutral sites. And now it's fallen to "friends and family" for 90 minute treks to rinky-dink Atlantic Hockey barns. Make no mistake, we are watching the complete, utter collapse of what has long been UNH's flagship team/sport. Sad.

Based on cheering audio and announcers’ comments there were many UNH fans at the game.

Also, Providence lost to Brown at home yesterday. The vacation break OOC games often don’t go well. There was a time we’d win by a goal and be unhappy lol.

 

[Felger]

Thanks Watcher for that information info. Was wondering who the candidates would be for next coach, going with when and not if they change that will help me get thru the Sousa error. Does a new coach come in a do a Carvel and clean house right away? Think that is more feasible these days with the transfer portal 5th year eligibility , and not going after division 3 players. Could be a quick fix while fixing the recruiting mistakes. Sad that we aren’t even into December and looking at next season already. Be honest this is the first time I can remember I don’t really care if I miss a game and would make others plans if they came up where in the past would tell people sorry I have a game to go to instead

This is the biggest question I have moving forward. Could be more a tear down than a rebuild?

 

[ClOuD 9]

Serious question - is this the least-attended game UNH Hockey has competed in since the dawn of the Hockey East era? Has to be (putting aside any virus-related quirks of the last couple of years, of course?)? For context, please note that UNH Basketball is averaging more than 600 so far this season, and they are currently off to a typically-meh 2-3 start to the season. Men's Soccer averaged 1,600 per game for 11 home games.

Wasn't all that long ago that UNH could bank on at least 408 traveling fans to support them for most road games within an hour of campus, and that figure would slide easily into the multiple thousands for postseason games at neutral sites. And now it's fallen to "friends and family" for 90 minute treks to rinky-dink Atlantic Hockey barns. Make no mistake, we are watching the complete, utter collapse of what has long been UNH's flagship team/sport. Sad.

The game at BC during a Pats playoff game where they had to get a volunteer from the crowd to be a goal judge might be close.
Would be hard to find an official answer as so many teams include season ticket holders or find other ways to pad attendance numbers, but it is amongst a select few in my era.
I was also one of a few hundred at the Punch Imlach in Buffalo in 2003 vs Canisius.

 

[Darius]

Wonder ir Ricky Santos would like to try his hand at coaching hockey, too.

Having him stop by the locker room for a motivational chat would not be a bad idea. Casey DeAndrade would be good too except there might some damage. Seriously, that was one extremely pumped up team yesterday and those two were right in the middle of it. The defensive backs were frequently talking trash. Had to be in a sportsmanlike way as the officials had no issue.

 

[Nifty16]

This is the biggest question I have moving forward. Could be more a tear down than a rebuild?

Hopefully these are the questions the AD ask during an interview or who ever they bring in to be part of the panel looking for a new coach. Like to someone younger with experience in the JR or National level. The way things are in the NCAA now its much different then just a few years ago when trying to get a new coach, have the transfer portal, 5 year of eligibility and the NIL stuff. Need someone who can sell the team and their vision and not just go off reputation.

 

[Darius]

This is the biggest question I have moving forward. Could be more a tear down than a rebuild?

How would that work with existing scholarship money? I don’t see UNH breaking any promises.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Having him stop by the locker room for a motivational chat would not be a bad idea. Casey DeAndrade would be good too except there might some damage. Seriously, that was one extremely pumped up team yesterday and those two were right in the middle of it. The defensive backs were frequently talking trash. Had to be in a sportsmanlike way as the officials had no issue.

I don't think there has been a more transformational athlete on the UNH campus this still-new century than Ricky (now Rick) Santos. When the program was turning upwards early in Coach Mac's years, it was Santos who was rewriting the record books, winning big games, and making UNH relevant once again ... and after some time in the CFL, he's worked his way up the coaching ladder both with UNH and some outside seasoning at Columbia. Getting the interim HC tag a few years ago probably came a mite too early, but he was up for it, and then when Coach Mac returned, Santos continued to gather experience and seasoning, and now he is poised to be the long-term solution at UNH ... IF he decides that's what he wants to do long term, as I suspect there will be others outside the program who will be equally impressed with what he's now accomplishing at his alma mater. Coach Hubbard followed a similar-but-not-identical track, and success has followed him as well.

That the most transformational student-athlete at UNH over the past generation is a football guy and not a hockey guy tells its own story. Both Santos and Hubbard could have easily made the same mistakes that Coach Souza has made, both at time of hire and subsequently working into his current HC role ... but Santos and Hubbard avoided those pitfalls. They will likely be beloved names at UNH for as long as they choose, and even if/when they leave for greener pastures. Souza unfortunately is shaping up as the guy who was there when it mattered as a player in some of UNH's biggest moments in its best years, but simply underestimated the scope of his new coaching job from the start, and while that should never tarnish his previous accomplishments, others may see it differently.

At the very least, it'll likely lead to a much more complicated legacy he leaves behind. Sad.

 

[Chuck Murray]

How would that work with existing scholarship money? I don't see UNH breaking any promises.

How about the new coach gets full control over his roster from Day One, and if there are any returning players with scholarship commitments that the new guy doesn't want, then these players would be offered a matching academic scholarship if they want to stay and study for their degrees, and/or offered to the portal to seek out potential matches where they could continue their college playing careers? Seems fair to me, I don't see why the new coach should be married to the mistakes his predecessor has made for his first 2-3 years in charge. I would think with the portal in play, that has loosened up player movement from an NCAA perspective, but I'll let the experts answer before that ...

 

[Darius]

Comparing Coaches Souza and Santos at unhwildcats.com and other sources, they graduated seven years apart so same age group. Similar salaries. Neither had prior head coaching experience or really all that much non-UNH experience. Both had excellent UNH playing careers, clear nod to Santos who remains prominent in the UNH record book. Neither has their email address on unhwildcats.com.

Football still has a real yearbook!?! What’s up with that?

 

[Darius]

How about the new coach gets full control over his roster from Day One, and if there are any returning players with scholarship commitments that the new guy doesn't want, then these players would be offered a matching academic scholarship if they want to stay and study for their degrees, and/or offered to the portal to seek out potential matches where they could continue their college playing careers? Seems fair to me, I don't see why the new coach should be married to the mistakes his predecessor has made for his first 2-3 years in charge. I would think with the portal in play, that has loosened up player movement from an NCAA perspective, but I'll let the experts answer before that ...

I thought that too, but doubt UNH would want to dip into the academic scholarship bucket. Also, the promise included being on the hockey team. Maybe the Maine fans know what Barr is doing.

 

[Robert Balin]

How about the new coach gets full control over his roster from Day One, and if there are any returning players with scholarship commitments that the new guy doesn't want, then these players would be offered a matching academic scholarship if they want to stay and study for their degrees, and/or offered to the portal to seek out potential matches where they could continue their college playing careers? Seems fair to me, I don't see why the new coach should be married to the mistakes his predecessor has made for his first 2-3 years in charge. I would think with the portal in play, that has loosened up player movement from an NCAA perspective, but I'll let the experts answer before that ...

Carval did this at UMASS, he purged the roster about 12 kids and offered what Chuck mentioned an academic scholarship. We all know what happened after that. Barr is doing this at Maine on a smaller level.

 

[Nifty16]

Carval did this at UMASS, he purged the roster about 12 kids and offered what Chuck mentioned an academic scholarship. We all know what happened after that. Barr is doing this at Maine on a smaller level.

This right here. Also before the transfer portal so probably will have some move on. Realistically no one on the team is untouchable.

 

[After the Whistle]

Don’t want to interrupt the coach talk, but wanted to share a few things about last nights game. As many are aware the HC arena is very small by HE standards. Clean and well appointed but as cold as your kids youth hockey arenas!
i would have put the attendance higher but they were keeping count. I thought we were very well represented. 100-150? Very strong UNH chanting during second and third periods. Had to be embarrassing for HC crowd. Not bad for a Thanksgiving weekend game. Had we won, imagine the team would have loved it. Someone, I think Ryan Black, had a large cheering section.20-25. Kinda nice for him. We were the better team, and it could have been 4-1 but HC just didn’t give up and …surprise we couldn’t score. Thought the officiating could have been better.

 

[After the Whistle]

Just a couple of quick thoughts on last night’s game. Funny little house that they play in. Very clean and fit up with good amenities etc. but very small and as cold as any junior rink you have been in with your kids. Looks like it could hold 12-1500 capacity. Hard to get a sense of the crowd as it is all on one side but lots standing behind the end they shoot twice. I would have guessed 6-700 attending. Very good UNH crowd, all things considered. Someone, think it was Ryan Black, had a huge contingent. Maybe 25 family and friends. Also enough others to make a pretty loud cheering section. Probably 100-150 fans for us. The UNH chant caught on pretty strongly and several times over the second and third period and I have to think
We all know the rest of the story. And yes it could have been 4-1 but it wasn’t.

 

[HockeyRef]

Just a couple of quick thoughts on last night’s game. Funny little house that they play in. Very clean and fit up with good amenities etc. but very small and as cold as any junior rink you have been in with your kids. Looks like it could hold 12-1500 capacity. Hard to get a sense of the crowd as it is all on one side but lots standing behind the end they shoot twice. I would have guessed 6-700 attending. Very good UNH crowd, all things considered. Someone, think it was Ryan Black, had a huge contingent. Maybe 25 family and friends. Also enough others to make a pretty loud cheering section. Probably 100-150 fans for us. The UNH chant caught on pretty strongly and several times over the second and third period and I have to think
We all know the rest of the story. And yes it could have been 4-1 but it wasn’t.

Thanks for checking in about the game..could see it was a good core group of UNH fans…heard it was cold in there remember going to Brown in 2017 I think and nearly froze to death lol. Hope to see you Friday if you are going…

 

[Snively65]

Does anyone know for sure that MS7’s contract is up this spring and that he did not get a five-year or longer contract renewal when BS35+infinity left office?