What's new
By:
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

UNH Off Season Thread 2011

Re: UNH Off Season Thread 2011

Given some of the recent recruits that have shown up early- you have to think Thrush will be in the mix for PT. As for Smith and Hill, who knows what the deal is. It's not like Smith didn't play well last yr. Hill- well the stats say he's a bit tempermental- but his team was just awful. Anyway, Thrush is in.

Good opportunity to mix experience with guys with offensive upside, I think. As well, it looks like there is little change to not see an all Frosh- Dman pairing. I can't remember the last time that happened- but having said that, incoming D that have seen ice time, have done very well, IMO.

Willows has done nothing short of fantastic at any level- and after 2 season in the EJHL- having put up 135pts in 95 games, I belevie that he'll do just fine. Thrush on the other hand - is exactly like Sorkin. Gone from the maryland squad, a cup of coffee in the USHL and suddenly playing D1. Sorkin skated fine last year but his passing and hands didn't come around until late in the year. 1 Goal? Def. like to see what he brings in '11-'12 with a yr under his belt.

Slot Silengo here as #1 Center. Kid showed a lot of poise with the puck entering the zone late last yr- good speed, eyes and stick, doesn't panic.

Downing may or may not be Darren Haydar- but all hopes are that he transitions to D1 without difficulty given his resume for playing elite hockey up North.

Goumas- Silengo-Moses
Sorkin- Downing- Henrion
Speelman-Bori- Burke
Thrush- Block- Willows/McCarey

but then again, I've never guessed this correctly!
 
Last edited:
Re: UNH Off Season Thread 2011

i'zonprize said:
Given some of the recent recruits that have shown up early- you have to think Thrush will be in the mix for PT. As for Smith and Hill, who knows what the deal is. It's not like Smith didn't play well last yr. Hill- well the stats say he's a bit tempermental- but his team was just awful. Anyway, Thrush is in.

Good opportunity to mix experience with guys with offensive upside, I think. As well, it looks like there is little change to not see an all Frosh- Dman pairing. I can't remember the last time that happened- but having said that, incoming D that have seen ice time, have done very well, IMO.

Willows has done nothing short of fantastic at any level- and after 2 season in the EJHL- having put up 135pts in 95 games, I belevie that he'll do just fine. Thrush on the other hand - is exactly like Sorkin. Gone from the maryland squad, a cup of coffee in the USHL and suddenly playing D1. Sorkin skated fine last year but his passing and hands didn't come around until late in the year. 1 Goal? Def. like to see what he brings in '11-'12 with a yr under his belt.

Slot Silengo here as #1 Center. Kid showed a lot of poise with the puck entering the zone late last yr- good speed, eyes and stick, doesn't panic.

Downing may or may not be Darren Haydar- but all hopes are that he transitions to D1 without difficulty given his resume for playing elite hockey up North.

Goumas- Silengo-Moses
Sorkin- Downing- Henrion
Speelman-Bori- Burke
Thrush- Block- Willows/McCarey

but then again, I've never guessed this correctly!
Click to expand...

The GO-BO-MO line was the best UNH line second half of the year and moving into the payoffs. Borisenok has developed as a sure handed… tight passing….nice vision..defensively solid center. All three have speed that kills. Silengo will be a nice player moving forward, not on this line. Downing is not JVR, he will need time for development at this level. Downing a top two line center…..not at this point…..with experience -yes

The question that I see at center would be Block. We need him to play consist and big. The top 2 lines we will need to start the season strong to keep us in NCAA contention. The younger guys will make some impact in the second half

As far as players coming in early and not getting playing time. It happens all the time
 
Re: UNH Off Season Thread 2011

PSW said:
The GO-BO-MO line was the best UNH line second half of the year and moving into the payoffs. Borisenok has developed as a sure handed� tight passing�.nice vision..defensively solid center. All three have speed that kills.
Click to expand...

They played well and with a lot of energy. They may get the majority of the starts as Umile rewards their experience and effort over the years - but the only player on that line ready AND talented enough to fill a 1st-line role on a strong team is Moses. Can you break that line up? Probably not, at least not early - so I think they slot perfectly into the #2 (1B) spot.

Downing is not JVR, he will need time for development at this level. Downing a top two line center�..not at this point�..
Click to expand...

UNH's best shot at building a consistent offense - on par with what they've enjoyed in past - is to find a center for blossoming goal scorers in Henrion and Speelman. Block can't play that role and Silengo isn't there yet (they're both 3/4 line defensive, hard-working centers). Downing is your best choice - he can score and he can set up. He is mature, intelligent, defensively responsible and doesn't take a lot of penalties. He doesn't have to be JVR he only has to be Grayson Downing. Whether or not he piles up the points, ala JVR, Haydar or Collins, as a frosh is yet to be determined - but I think he's the best option for that line and would more than hold his own. At Westside he was always in the right place and played with great hockey sense in addition to his talent...

As far as players coming in early and not getting playing time. It happens all the time
Click to expand...

When is the last time UNH brought in a kid early (ie. emergency) who didn't play? Trevor Smith played 39 of 40 games. Thompson played 35 of 38 games. Speelman played 32 of 39. Remember, they initially pushed back Smith and Hill to bring in Correale and add Willows. They obviously felt they needed to add offense to the lineup and not the stands. When Correale defered due to injury they again defered on Smith and Hill to accelerate Thrush - they wouldn't do that unless they expect him to play. Otherwise, he should be developing in Muskegon.

I like the lines I shared above, but can't wait to find out what Umile actually runs out there come October...
 
Last edited:
Re: UNH Off Season Thread 2011

Dan said:
When is the last time UNH brought in a kid early (ie. emergency) who didn't play? Trevor Smith played 39 of 40 games. Thompson played 35 of 38 games. Speelman played 32 of 39. Remember, they initially pushed back Smith and Hill to bring in Correale and add Willows. They obviously felt they needed to add offense to the lineup and not the stands. When Correale defered due to injury they again defered on Smith and Hill to accelerate Thrush - they wouldn't do that unless they expect him to play. Otherwise, he should be developing in Muskegon.
Click to expand...
Recognizing the similarity between Casey Thrush and T. Smith/Thompson/Speelman makes a lot of sense. I also think Thrush brings a level of maturity and intelligence (based on interviews I've read) that will serve him well as a freshman.

I also agree that there must have been legitimate reasons why UNH decided not to bring in Jamie Hill or Kyle Smith when it became clear that Dan Correale would need surgery and rehab. I'm only guessing but I think there is a concern about the number of penalty minutes and fights that Hill has become known for (alluded to by i'zon). I doubt they want to bring in another Danny Dries type player (on the ice comparison). Another year - his third - with the Waterloo Black Hawks will give Hill an opportunity to settle down a little.

As for Kyle Smith, the plan must have been for him to hopefully make the roster of a USHL team during the tryout camps in June. Smith put up some points in the Sioux City Musketeers' camp but did not make either the 25 player active roster or 14 player affiliate list. UNH must have decided that Thrush is more ready for the jump to college than Smith. Also, they apparently wanted a left-winger to come in (Correale's position) perhaps because they already have several centers. Smith is a tall lanky center (6'1") similar in style to Jeff Silengo. He has the opportunity to be a dominant player in the EJHL this season. In the game I saw him play against the Jr. Monarchs (very limited sample), Smith was effective but not head-and-shoulders above the other players.
 
Last edited:
Re: UNH Off Season Thread 2011

Trevor van Riemsdyk
D, New Hampshire

New Hampshire fans are still taking sides on the time current Philadelphia Flyers standout James van Riemsdyk spent with their program, whether the former No. 2 overall draft pick enjoyed two standout years or didn’t dominate enough for a player of his pedigree.

At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Trevor van Riemsdyk favors his older brother physically, though he generates his offensive creativity from the blue line. In 38 games with the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs last season, he posted 38 points (16 goals, 22 assists), best among the team’s defensemen.

“Trevor is simply the most gifted offensive defensemen in the EJHL over the last two seasons,” Tremblay said. “His ability to see the ice and make the right decision with the puck is exceptional. Because his game with the puck is so strong, he is a very underestimated defensive player. I expect him to make an immediate and big impact in Durham.”
Click to expand...
Mike Zhe
September 2011 issue of New England Hockey Journal.
 
Re: UNH Off Season Thread 2011

C-H-C said:
Mike Zhe
September 2011 issue of New England Hockey Journal.
Click to expand...

Joe LeWho? That's quite a statement by the coach! Been a while since there was a D man who could really excel at running the PP. Yandle and Stafford are the last 2 to come to mind.
 
Re: UNH Off Season Thread 2011

sterlippo1 said:
will there be more 'cat fans at Fenway than Black Bear fans?:confused::confused::D
Click to expand...
Not sure, the Mainers travel pretty well, hopefully the UVM fans pull for us, not sure about the UMass folks. Stinks that the students will be on break.
 
Re: UNH Off Season Thread 2011

ClOuD 9 said:
Not sure, the Mainers travel pretty well, hopefully the UVM fans pull for us, not sure about the UMass folks. Stinks that the students will be on break.
Click to expand...

hmmm, i didnt realize it would be break. you both travel real well so there should still be a great turnout. i wonder how ticket sales are going........
 
Re: UNH Off Season Thread 2011

Not mentioned here but Mike Souza was name an assistant coach at Brown where he joins former teammate Mark White. Which leads me to the question, has any Division 1 team had coaches who were teammates at another school. I would imagine that somewhere along the way some school chose a couple of former players to be assistants (although I can't think of anyone) but to see teammates behind the bench for another school seems a bit unusual. Anyway, good luck to Mike. Very personable guy with varied hockey experience both in the States and in Europe.
 
Re: UNH Off Season Thread 2011

Is there a list of UNH players who have also served their country? Have their been any? Never really hear this talked about. Probably a question for Greg A. and others who have been around this program for a long time as I imagine it would have been a more likely occurrence in the 60's and 70's.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top