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

[NCAA watcher]

A group of candidates will leak in late March, and by April 15th, in time for the Naples Coaches convention, UNH will name a new HC. His press conference will not be "golly gee, what a great family environment, that you Dick." The HC will acknowledge the faults, speak about resurrecting the program to its position, and about changing the culture. Five players will hit the portal, and 2 may find places within D1 teams.
The most interesting thing will be what recruiter he hires.

Within 4 months (August 15th), UNH will have 8 recruits lined up, about 3 for the coming year, and the remaining 5-6 will be for 2024. The new HC will have a plan. They will also immediately grab a transfer portal goalie to supplement Muszelik, which is the biggest need for next year.
UNH will still finish 9 or 10th in 2023-24, and the biggest challenge will be seeing growth among the current young team players. You hope that the 2024 recruits represent an upgrade, much like Maine's Nadeau brothers and Hopkins, who were not brought in the first couple of years (and so Maine is still struggling) but will help raise the talent level. The hope is 7th/8th place in 2024-25, but with momentum so the open recruits start to believe in the narrative that UNH is on the way up, and cast their lot with the new HC, signaling for other recruits.

March 29, 2021
Albie O’Connell (CAS’99) will not return next season as Boston University men’s ice hockey coach, University Athletics Director Drew Marrochello announced Wednesday. The news came after an up-and-down season that saw BU win the fabled Beanpot tournament in dramatic fashion, but finish outside of the top-20 Division I programs, with an overall record of 19-13-3 and a Hockey East conference record of 13-8-3.

“This was obviously a difficult decision, as Albie worked hard towards putting our team in a position to contend for championships,” Marrochello said. “We recognize that he was part of several successful teams during his time as a student-athlete and coach here, and I wish him and his family nothing but the best.

“We have very high expectations for our men’s ice hockey program, and we are determined to have our team compete at the highest level of college hockey. After the conclusion of our regular year-end assessment, we believe that a new direction is needed for our program to achieve our goals.”

O’Connell assembled a 58-49-16 record in four seasons coaching the Terriers.

With a national search for a successor, Marrochello said, the University aspires to have that person in place before the April 20 start of the American Hockey Coaches Association Convention.

 

[Felger]

A group of candidates will leak in late March, and by April 15th, in time for the Naples Coaches convention, UNH will name a new HC.

It would be perfectly fitting if the press conference is April 12, 2023

 

[HockeyRef]

A lot of wishful thinking here, methinks.

Whatever happened to Al Pike? He did not pull punches when writing about UNH hockey. My brother and I shared beers with him in our hotel bar at the 2002 FF in St Paul.

All of this sounds wonderful but am not holding my breath...sadly I do not think even if we lose every single game from here on to the end of the season....that they will do all of these much needed and absolutely necessary. If not I am going to really think hard about ponying up the 600 plus dollars for two season tix....and I bet a ton of others are thinking the same thing.

 

[d.gerry]

All of this sounds wonderful but am not holding my breath...sadly I do not think even if we lose every single game from here on to the end of the season....that they will do all of these much needed and absolutely necessary. If not I am going to really think hard about ponying up the 600 plus dollars for two season tix....and I bet a ton of others are thinking the same thing.

I'm seriously regretting my last minute decision to renew this year. If nothing changes for next season, other than being a complete glutton for punishment, what reason would I have to renew? None!

Can't imagine what new horrors await us this weekend! Fortunately I have a family commitment Friday night, and most definitely will not be heading down to Walter Brown, so at least I will be spared from witnessing it!

 

[brassbonanza]

I'm seriously regretting my last minute decision to renew this year. If nothing changes for next season, other than being a complete glutton for punishment, what reason would I have to renew? None!

Can't imagine what new horrors await us this weekend! Fortunately I have a family commitment Friday night, and most definitely will not be heading down to Walter Brown, so at least I will be spared from witnessing it!

I recommend not going to Walter Brown on Saturday.

 

[HockeyRef]

I recommend not going to Walter Brown on Saturday.

hehehe I see what you did there.

 

[d.gerry]

I recommend not going to Walter Brown on Saturday.

Oops, my bad!

 

[Nifty16]

All of this sounds wonderful but am not holding my breath...sadly I do not think even if we lose every single game from here on to the end of the season....that they will do all of these much needed and absolutely necessary. If not I am going to really think hard about ponying up the 600 plus dollars for two season tix....and I bet a ton of others are thinking the same thing.

I have already thought it out and if thinks don’t change won’t be renewing my season tickets. Gone from being in the wait list and buying them off a friend to giving them up if things don’t change. I can handle a few down season but we are in the prolong agony stage where I just can’t take it anymore. No change tells me that the university just doesn’t care so why should I spend my time and money of something they don’t care about and just keep ignoring the people who have supported this team thru good times and bad times.

 

[After the Whistle]

As usual there are a lot of interesting and appropriate posts the past few days. While I am not able to match histories with many of you, I have been a big fan for 30+/- years and had 4 season tickets basically from the onset of the Whitt. Lots of great stories and experiences like most of you. For nearly 20 of those years we saw close to 30 games a year. I know the venues and have my loves and hates. Obviously Covid took all of us out of the picture on some level. That coupled with long depressing rides home from afar has curbed my need to travel as much lately.
All that said, and in full agreement about direction, communication and just plain old losing our competitive edge, i get it! However, I was and still am a UNH hockey fan and I can’t see giving up my tickets. It has been my weekend fun and Reason to get out for along time and I don’t think I could or want to quit. Perhaps get rid of 2 of my tickets as, ha ha it is much harder to get friends to go. So keep it up db and others, keep communicating our issues and a better day will come. My dad got to seethe Red Sox win one before he passed and I believe that I’ll see a NC before, well you know the rest.

 

[Snively65]

As usual there are a lot of interesting and appropriate posts the past few days. While I am not able to match histories with many of you, I have been a big fan for 30+/- years and had 4 season tickets basically from the onset of the Whitt. Lots of great stories and experiences like most of you. For nearly 20 of those years we saw close to 30 games a year. I know the venues and have my loves and hates. Obviously Covid took all of us out of the picture on some level. That coupled with long depressing rides home from afar has curbed my need to travel as much lately.
All that said, and in full agreement about direction, communication and just plain old losing our competitive edge, i get it! However, I was and still am a UNH hockey fan and I can’t see giving up my tickets. It has been my weekend fun and Reason to get out for along time and I don’t think I could or want to quit. Perhaps get rid of 2 of my tickets as, ha ha it is much harder to get friends to go. So keep it up db and others, keep communicating our issues and a better day will come. My dad got to seethe Red Sox win one before he passed and I believe that I’ll see a NC before, well you know the rest.

My father, a lifelong Red Sox fan, was diagnosed with cancer the near-miracle summer of 1967, died the next spring. He was only three years old in 1918 so did not remember that Sox World Series win.

I bought my 2003 FF tickets from a Michigan State fan who said to me after Vanek’s dagger goal “your Wildcats will win a National Championship when the Red Sox win another World Series.” I am still waiting for the former.

 

[HockeyRef]

As usual there are a lot of interesting and appropriate posts the past few days. While I am not able to match histories with many of you, I have been a big fan for 30+/- years and had 4 season tickets basically from the onset of the Whitt. Lots of great stories and experiences like most of you. For nearly 20 of those years we saw close to 30 games a year. I know the venues and have my loves and hates. Obviously Covid took all of us out of the picture on some level. That coupled with long depressing rides home from afar has curbed my need to travel as much lately.
All that said, and in full agreement about direction, communication and just plain old losing our competitive edge, i get it! However, I was and still am a UNH hockey fan and I can’t see giving up my tickets. It has been my weekend fun and Reason to get out for along time and I don’t think I could or want to quit. Perhaps get rid of 2 of my tickets as, ha ha it is much harder to get friends to go. So keep it up db and others, keep communicating our issues and a better day will come. My dad got to seethe Red Sox win one before he passed and I believe that I’ll see a NC before, well you know the rest.

Totally get where you are coming from; I have so enjoyed all of the involvement over these past 9ish seasons; and a big piece has been meeting people like you and others on this board that I
hob nob with at the 'Whitt. Loved all the travel to away games, the trip to Ireland, meeting the players at events. There was a big gap of course with Covid of course but we hung in there and I paid for a cardboard seat when the team had to play without fans! I love supporting them; just want to see a new energy there and hope for the best...

Snively my father in law was also a avid, almost rabid, Red Sox fan. Was so glad he got to see the team win TWO (04/07) before he passed away in 2010...I sure hope even more for me if this is possible, that YOU all who have been with the team through thick and thin, traveled to places like Anaheim for NC games, get your championship. I heard it from the coach himself in front of a FOH group, that "UNH will win the National Championship".

Right now, we are looking for our first HE points of the season. I look forward to the weekend like you ATW for the 'weekend entertainment'. Maybe see you there..

 

[deltabravo62]

4/30/2024

 

[HockeyRef]

4/30/2024

Yep KNEW this happened...not surprised and a bit mad (my afib is acting up actually seeing this)

 

[Felger]

Totally get where you are coming from; I have so enjoyed all of the involvement over these past 9ish seasons; and a big piece has been meeting people like you and others on this board that I
hob nob with at the 'Whitt. Loved all the travel to away games, the trip to Ireland, meeting the players at events. There was a big gap of course with Covid of course but we hung in there and I paid for a cardboard seat when the team had to play without fans! I love supporting them; just want to see a new energy there and hope for the best...

Snively my father in law was also a avid, almost rabid, Red Sox fan. Was so glad he got to see the team win TWO (04/07) before he passed away in 2010...I sure hope even more for me if this is possible, that YOU all who have been with the team through thick and thin, traveled to places like Anaheim for NC games, get your championship. I heard it from the coach himself in front of a FOH group, that "UNH will win the National Championship".

Right now, we are looking for our first HE points of the season. I look forward to the weekend like you ATW for the 'weekend entertainment'. Maybe see you there..

They actually have 2 points

 

[HockeyRef]

They actually have 2 points

Guess I was thinking in terms of W's thanks for the correction!

 

[Snively65]

4/30/2024

I will betcha that you know who influenced BS35+infinity on awarding that contract extension, which fortunately was not even longer, say five years. No way next year gets bought out.

 

[Felger]

Guess I was thinking in terms of W's thanks for the correction!

I knew what you meant...for the record I don't really care for the way points are doled out nowadays but it is what it is...

 

[deltabravo62]

I will betcha that you know who influenced BS35+infinity on awarding that contract extension, which fortunately was not even longer, say five years. No way next year gets bought out.

Oh I know, and I agree that while there is an "out" in the contract it will not be used. Here's to another 17 months of boldly going nowhere.

BSrandomnumbers signed the extension after announcing his retirement and at the end of last season. I guess he was telling us something when he said Souza was "the right man for the job". Funny no announcement from the U after last year that they "got their man" for the next two seasons.

 

[deltabravo62]

Souza was already under contract for this season. The extension that was signed only added on next year so it wasn't a situation where he was leaving the new AD in the lurch needing a new hockey coach upon walking in the door. This was just a "gift from the family" on Marty's way out the door...

 

[Chuck Murray]

Not to mention the total lack of coverage from the Union Leader and WMUR. You would think these outlets would have some interest in the current state of the program, but no, it's barely mentioned. I guess college sports in general has limited appeal in a small state like NH. Despite that, you'd think a story chronicling the complete downfall of the former flagship program in the state, and the apparent apathy of the current administration to fix it, should garner some interest. No?

I'm more annoyed by the UL, if only because I've totally given up on WMUR, which has basically stopped being a local NH TV station, and carries only approved narratives with slants coming straight out of ABC HQ on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The on-air personalities aren't from NH anymore, and are made up largely of unremarkable transplant MA-holes or anonymous mediocrities from further away, and based on some observations from a pair of former players of mine who were also recent interns at the station, it seems very intentional, and something the long time local on-air talent is keenly aware of. Try watching Channel 5 (Needham MA) and Channel 9 (Manchester NH) news back-to-back someday, and you'll see what I mean. Say what you will about Charlie Sherman back in the day, but he and his cohorts gave UNH Hockey tons of coverage. No more.

There is no reason why the UL shouldn't be all over the collapse of UNH Hockey already. It's a huge and uniquely NH story, and they still do some good long-form reporting on other NH stories from around the state on other non-sports topics. Maybe an extended piece during the upcoming Winter break would be well-placed, and anticipate the approaching crunch point where the new AD has to give some serious thought about pulling the plug on the current regime with one season left on their deals (based on db62's tireless efforts - kudos)? I would think both the UL and WMUR have compelling archival materials from the early '90's showing how the program was really the first of its kind in the State to break through - there's a strong argument that the now-SNHU Arena was only built after the Whittemore Center's massive success a few years earlier - and is now dying on the vine a generation later.

There's probably a huge story to be written at a certain point about how New Hampshire (as a separate identity within New England) has gotten washed over in the modern era of social media, as highlighted by Manchester Airport being re-labeled as Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, and other such incursions into the NH identity. Maybe someday, if I live that long and get to retirement bored and itchy, I'll even try to write it.