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UNH Offseason Contract Edition.

Greg Brown wins HE COTY...kind of thought Ben
Barr would but I guess when you are number 1 in the league and number 1 in the country.

Great start to this thread. Lots of good stuff in the posts and there's something to be said for keeping perspective or its gonna be (or could be) a long 3 years that will come and go regardless.

Since I knew this was the direction the U would go I have gone from the anger stage of grief to the 'almost' acceptance phase.

Of course once I walk into the TD Friday night and realize once again we aren't there...
But Ill do my best to take Drews advice and be present.

Speaking of the TD its been what...20+ years since UNH has been HE champions? Thats a long time...without looking not sure how many times since then we've made the semis/ finals only my own reference of the last appearance in 2015...

Welcome Grouchy Cat! Agree 100% that there needs to be more visibility of the newly extended HC. I get the impression he isnt fond of pressers but it would go a long way with his less than thrilled fans I think.

Portal opens Monday.for underclassmen...fingers crossed we keep our team together but in this day and age who knows.
 
I have been ruminating on this decision when it was announced yesterday. Yes....the glory days of a proud and potent UNH hockey program are but memories of the distant past, likely not to be repeated any time soon.

I made a promise to my wife on the day she passed nearly two years ago that I would keep the season tickets......I honestly don't know how I am going to keep my enthusiasm up for the next three years if its more of the "same ol', same ol'......
 
I hope a condition of MS7's extended agreement is a commitment to become more available to the public, the press and to potential recruits. Let's be clear, he isn't the Great Wizard of Oz who can behind the curtain of accomplishment to avoid media and fan interaction. He is a sub .500 coach with a track record that is now statistically significant. He can't just make himself available to potential donors.

All it takes is a quick look to see what Barr at Maine is doing. Weekly podcasts and pressers, participating in multi part video blogs on youtube and instagram, etc. He is making the effort to not only raise the profile of his program, but showcasing the program to potential recruits and the public at large. You'd think that low cost activities like these would be adopted by UNH, leveraging the talents and (free) labor of students. The basic things that UNH doesn't do to promote the school and the hockey team makes me scratch my head.

Welcome back, my old friend. I kinda knew we'd be hearing from you soon. Don't be a stranger, please!

Anyway ... moving past the decision, since it's been made, and there is no going back ... I think this captures one of the areas that rankled my cage over these last few weeks/months ... MS7's visibilty, or lack thereof, at least until he was forced to launch a public campaign to save his own professional skin. Now that he has accomplished this, there can be NO going back to his "invisible man" routine that's marked the better part of his nine (9) years behind the UNH bench.

The time MS7 would have ideally started doing the "Barr" things listed by Grouchy would have been the first three years, when he was coach-in-waiting. What a perfect opportunity to start to set things up in and around the program, so that his program could later benefit from that investment of time. So ... what was done during this stretch?? Pretty much nothing. Even Coach Umile - hardly Mr. Personality in the community - did a weekly radio show. MS7 sat on his hands and has done nothing to try to resurrect the defunct "Friends of UNH Hockey" support system, also attributable to his predecessor(s).

Delving into the "why not?" part of that equation ... when you are basically gifted the job not because of what you've accomplished, but largely because of who you are, and who you know ... then it's probably easier to dismiss the importance of doing the hustling necessary to grow the program, because you didn't have to extend yourself to get the job in the first place. And for a while, it works. New scoreboard - check. New smaller ice surface - check. In your mind, things will just happen, and you will maintain without really exerting ... until you don't ... and then panic sets in.

Then, you spend evety waking moment working the niche college hockey media, providing them your talking points. Now it's the conditioning stuff, the locker room, etc. that "needs" upgrading. You can't bring yourself to go, hat in hand, on the final year of your expiring contract, and ask for more stuff from the AD. Instead, you approach TDL and you let it look like it's HIS idea, and you are just the fortunate beneficiary of the largesse, and oh BTW, TDL is my bestie, there may be more behind Door Number Two in the future, it'd be a shame if I wasn't around to be your liaison for more stuff?? And to top it all off, you suddenly discover that the long-time TV broadcasting duo for the NHL team down in the nearest big city ... are fellow UNH alums??? So you trudge on off to Boston for some additional visibility to trumpet how the program you've personally turned into a cellar-dweller is suddenly alive again, and you get the added bonus of a free trip to the same facility you've been unable to access with the accomplishments of your program for over a decade. The irony, as they say, runs thick.

I guess the saving grace here is, MS7 has been forced to show just how much this job means to him personally, and what other things besides doing weekday practices, running the games, and coming in to clinch the recruiting deals that your two lieutenants do the hardest work on (for half of your dough) can and should be done to get your program to where you profess you want it to be. In another stunning little bit of irony, you've stumbled onto the difference(s) that separated Walshy from your former head coach. You know, the guy who deprived you of a national title in '99 with a less talented roster than yours, and still in the aftermath of NCAA sanctions that made sure his roster was weaker. But he still beat you and your predecessor when it mattered. As someone who was apparently thinking about becoming a D-1 head coach after your underwhelming "pro" playing career finished ... did it never cross your mind to look at how a guy who literally hustled you out of a D-1 title as a player managed to pull that off? Or was one dash Umile, one dash Luce, and a sprinkling of rote Belichick coachspeak your formula??? Nine years later, and one 6th place finish, a distant 3rd place in this year's COTY voting, with a 5-0 embarassment in the playoff QF's to show for it ... any plans to change???? Or will you be heading back into the bunker for a couple more seasons, only to emerge when the contract is in jeopardy yet again???????

To those whom much is given, much will be expected. It took awhile, but you eventually stopped sitting on your hands. This offseason, make a copy of the "Barr" list Grouchy put together above, and start to make that all happen here.

Chop chop, time's a-wasting ...
 
Portal opens Monday.for underclassmen...fingers crossed we keep our team together but in this day and age who knows.

Mucinex has to be the odds-on favorite to lead any UNH contingent into the transfer portal.

How rich (Rich?) would it be to see some shocking names on this list, considering all of MS7's "progress" this season ...
 
I'm trying to think how MS is going to be able to grow this program in the next 3 years. How much has his coaching ability changed in the past 7 years? I suspect not much. He was very fortunate to get a top flight goalie come in and be a difference maker. Do you have any top end talent coming in the next few years that can get you above UConn, UMass, NU, and PC on a consistent basis? If you dont, then I cant see any avenue that will put you in the top 4 of HE which I think is where you really need to be, and want to be. MS7 doesnt seem like a difference maker. Maybe its just me, but when I look at MS7 I see Dick Umile all over the place. He has that deer in the headlights look to me. His "look" behind the bench to me is one of tension, almost foreboding. Maybe thats not the case, its just how I perceive it.

In my humble opinion, if you are happy with middle of the pack, then you have your man. Im just not convinced he can get you to the promised land. As fanatic fans as the UNH base is, dont settle for this. No one wins anything of importance by settling for second best. Walshy didnt settle for it and I dont believe Barr will either. There are people out there in their mold who can do these things obviously, they have the formula....they just need to be identified. There was a reason Montgomery helped Barr into his position....Monty knew he had "it". No need to listen to advice that says be happy with what you have. Thats's bullchit. Norm Bazin turned a program around. Others have also. Hockey East does need a stronger UNH program. UMaine will do their best to slay the Boston dragon, but a little help from the neighbors would be appreciated :-):)
 
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Mucinex has to be the odds-on favorite to lead any UNH contingent into the transfer portal. ...

I've been hearing this rumor since January from people within the program. It is a concern. I've also heard whispers about Jacob garnering pro interest after the year that he had. Worst case scenario, both leave and leave MS7 up a creek before the ink is dry on his contract.
 
[QUOTE Maybe its just me, but when I look at MS7 I see Dick Umile all over the place. He has that deer in the headlights look to me. His "look" behind the bench to me is one of tension, almost foreboding. Maybe thats not the case, its just how I perceive it.

)[/QUOTE]

MS7 was on verge of a stroke in Orono on Saturday. The man was coming apart at the seams in real time on that bench. While I can appreciate the pressure he was under in a hostile environment, let's be honest, he looked the same way at Merrimack and UML last week as well. I've noticed the best coaches get more serene and calm as the pressure ramps up...that carries over to the team. When a coach panics, the team panics. MS7 learned from the best, his mentor and friend, DU, on how to panic and lose control of a game (and a team)
 
I'm trying to think how MS is going to be able to grow this program in the next 3 years. How much has his coaching ability changed in the past 7 years? I suspect not much. He was very fortunate to get a top flight goalie come in and be a difference maker. Do you have any top end talent coming in the next few years that can get you above UConn, UMass, NU, and PC on a consistent basis? If you dont, then I cant see any avenue that will put you in the top 4 of HE which I think is where you really need to be, and want to be. MS7 doesnt seem like a difference maker. Maybe its just me, but when I look at MS7 I see Dick Umile all over the place. He has that deer in the headlights look to me. His "look" behind the bench to me is one of tension, almost foreboding. Maybe thats not the case, its just how I perceive it.

In my humble opinion, if you are happy with middle of the pack, then you have your man. Im just not convinced he can get you to the promised land. As fanatic fans as the UNH base is, dont settle for this. No one wins anything of importance by settling for second best. Walshy didnt settle for it and I dont believe Barr will either. There are people out there in their mold who can do these things obviously, they have the formula....they just need to be identified. There was a reason Montgomery helped Barr into his position....Monty knew he had "it". No need to listen to advice that says be happy with what you have. Thats's bullchit. Norm Bazin turned a program around. Others have also. Hockey East does need a stronger UNH program. UMaine will do their best to slay the Boston dragon, but a little help from the neighbors would be appreciated :-):)

I think that your post nails it, acs64. As well written as many similar posts on here and more succinct.

We have twins coming this fall from Windsor, Ontario, who have had two good years in juniors, and have a legacy kid coming this fall or next in Jack Sadowski, whose father was Souza’s freshman linemate. I cannot imagine any pro team yanking Hellsten from his senior year, but I suppose that it is possible. Hoping one or two of our senior D-men stay for their Covid makeup year. But, you are spot on that we will remain only a middle-of-pack HEA team looking at our pipeline and a coach that most of us feel cannot coach, and until the past couple years could not recruit either.
 
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For those that haven't seen it this was on the Lowell thread:

Barry Scanlon's article today sheds some light on the Fowler situation. Norm seems to think Fowler is leaving due to the team's performance, but his parents say it's due to off-ice issues. Says he was attacked in the city, causing his knee injury.

https://www.lowellsun.com/2024/03/19...r-to-transfer/

Edit: his brother confirms this on Twitter

Tell me Lanny Gare wasn't the first thing that came to mind.
 
I have been ruminating on this decision when it was announced yesterday. Yes....the glory days of a proud and potent UNH hockey program are but memories of the distant past, likely not to be repeated any time soon.

I made a promise to my wife on the day she passed nearly two years ago that I would keep the season tickets......I honestly don't know how I am going to keep my enthusiasm up for the next three years if it’s more of the "same ol', same ol'......

This is why we gave up our season tickets this year (had them since the opening of the Whit), just lost our enthusiasm. I’m trying to be optimistic however, I think more of the “same ol, same ol” is just what we’re going to get. Sure, this season was MS7’s “best”, but I think the mid-season let downs and last game at Maine were telling. He just doesn’t have what it takes to be a top D-I coach. Hey, prove me wrong Mike, I’d be more than happy to eat humble pie.
 
Welcome back, my old friend. I kinda knew we'd be hearing from you soon. Don't be a stranger, please!

Charlie, Charlie, Charlie.......are you losing it???? THIS IS ME, YOU SENILE OLD FART!!!

Guess someone decided to be just as grouchy as me....then so be it!! Sheeeeiiiit, Ramona and I left Jamaica last year and are now enjoying the good life in Aruba, selling fake suntan lotion to fat American tourists. Paid no heap whatsoever to the season this year, but HOOO.....DOGGIE!!!! What in criminy's sake went on in Durham this year????

Well, let's see here........well, sheeeeeeiiiiiittt!!!! The Kitties won 20 games????? Ranked in the top 20???? What the he11 did SOOOUUUUZA do, hire a bunch of mercanaries????
And......double sheeeeeiiiiitttt!!! AD SugarBritches decides not to kick his sorry derriere to the curb....AND KEEP HIM FOR THREE MORE YEARS???? Sorry, I gotta pause for a moment and check my telescope to see if some dang comet has Planet Earth in its crosshairs!!!!

......so no comet. Yet.

I've had a chapped rear end ever since Dickie Humile ran this team into the crapper, turned the reigns over to his flunky SOOOUUUUZA, who just kept flushing away. I dunno....maybe he paid coaches to throw games???? Jeeeeeeeezzzzzzzuss...............

Guess I'm thankful that I'm living in paradise, ya bunch of lemmings who think this is going to get better!!! Definition of insanity??? Repeating the same dang thing over and over, hoping for a different result. T'AINT. GONNA. HAPPEN!!!!!

NOW GET OFF MY BEACH YA BUNCH OF HOOLIGANS!!!!
 
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For those that haven't seen it this was on the Lowell thread:



Tell me Lanny Gare wasn't the first thing that came to mind.

For those of you that aren't on the Lowell thread, this whole situation is a big mess. The article has seen been edited and removed the quotes from Fowler's parents ("PUBLISHED: March 19, 2024 at 2:58 p.m. | UPDATED: March 19, 2024 at 9:09 p.m.")

Here is the screenshot of the details from before the edit: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachme...2092094c3749bccf4161393878fb0b56855376f646b&=
 
Well it's put up or shut up time now. Still feel in No Man's Land with this 3 year extension. I was thinking 2 max to show some continuity to recruits but also to show that you must produce & build off this season quickly. 3 just seems 1 year too many. Hopefully there is a buyout agreement to move on if things go back to before or even worse. I (probably stupidly) hold out hope that our day will finally come at some point. I'd sell desperation and the chance of creating history & becoming a legend if it were me.
 
Charlie, Charlie, Charlie.......are you losing it???? THIS IS ME, YOU SENILE OLD FART!!!

Guess someone decided to be just as grouchy as me....then so be it!! Sheeeeiiiit, Ramona and I left Jamaica last year and are now enjoying the good life in Aruba, selling fake suntan lotion to fat American tourists. Paid no heap whatsoever to the season this year, but HOOO.....DOGGIE!!!! What in criminy's sake went on in Durham this year????

Well, let's see here........well, sheeeeeeiiiiiittt!!!! The Kitties won 20 games????? Ranked in the top 20???? What the he11 did SOOOUUUUZA do, hire a bunch of mercanaries????
And......double sheeeeeiiiiitttt!!! AD SugarBritches decides not to kick his sorry derriere to the curb....AND KEEP HIM FOR THREE MORE YEARS???? Sorry, I gotta pause for a moment and check my telescope to see if some dang comet has Planet Earth in its crosshairs!!!!

......so no comet. Yet.

I've had a chapped rear end ever since Dickie Humile ran this team into the crapper, turned the reigns over to his flunky SOOOUUUUZA, who just kept flushing away. I dunno....maybe he paid coaches to throw games???? Jeeeeeeeezzzzzzzuss...............

Guess I'm thankful that I'm living in paradise, ya bunch of lemmings who think this is going to get better!!! Definition of insanity??? Repeating the same dang thing over and over, hoping for a different result. T'AINT. GONNA. HAPPEN!!!!!

NOW GET OFF MY BEACH YA BUNCH OF HOOLIGANS!!!!

Don't you EVER go changin', mon ami. Too much water over the dam to not know when real "characters" arrive.

I've tagged a lotta personalities on the forums, but you just went next level. Speechless, but awesome LOL!!

P.S. - the less sent about your "chapped rear end", the better. And regards to dearest Ramona, whom I'm sure is in full agreement ... ;-)
 
... putting serious face back on ... lol ...

MS7 was on verge of a stroke in Orono on Saturday. The man was coming apart at the seams in real time on that bench. While I can appreciate the pressure he was under in a hostile environment, let's be honest, he looked the same way at Merrimack and UML last week as well. I've noticed the best coaches get more serene and calm as the pressure ramps up...that carries over to the team. When a coach panics, the team panics. MS7 learned from the best, his mentor and friend, DU, on how to panic and lose control of a game (and a team).

Frankly, I think MS7 makes Coach Umile look like Scotty Bowman or Toe Blake by comparison.

Umile actually won stuff. Maybe not the ones at the very end, and a few too many sooner than that.

But a 5-0 loss in the quarters to a team they just beat (twice) a month earlier?!? That's next-level gack, mon ami!

As to the whole "serene and calm" thing, you are 110% correct. Been there, done that, and there is much to be said for acting like you've been there before ... even if you haven't (yet?). When everyone is looking to you for guidance, instruction and leadership, there is nowhere to hide, and you just gotta be ready to go. AND you'd better be sincere. Like most anything else ... the more you get to do it, the better you get at it.

And if all else fails ... spend a few weeks studying Lombardi in depth, and it WILL make you better. Capiche, MS7??
 
We need to track a new stat and fill in the lines retroactively: DIHL = Deer In Headlights Look.

I will begin with 27 March 2010, 6-2 loss to RIT, NCAA East Regional FINAL, Albany, NY, Umile as HC, UNH tied 1-1 after first, down 4-1 after second, scoring one and giving up two (one ENG) in third. UNH took 6 min in penalties in third of 12 mins in game to RIT 6 total pen mins, but no PPG or SHG.

We have over six months to build this stat database on this aptly named thread.
 
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We need to track a new stat and fill in the lines retroactively: DIHL = Deer In Headlights Look.

I will begin with 27 March 2010, 6-2 loss to RIT, NCAA East Regional FINAL, Albany, NY, Umile as HC, UNH tied 1-1 after first, down 4-1 after second, scoring one and giving up two (one ENG) in third. UNH took 6 min in penalties in third of 12 mins in game to RIT 6 total pen mins, but no PPG or SHG.

We have over six months to build this stat database on this aptly named thread.

If memory serves right, the game before Bobby Butler literally put one through the net against Cornell and play continued for a good clip after because no one knew what happened to that shot
 
We need to track a new stat and fill in the lines retroactively: DIHL = Deer In Headlights Look.

I will begin with 27 March 2010, 6-2 loss to RIT, NCAA East Regional FINAL, Albany, NY, Umile as HC, UNH tied 1-1 after first, down 4-1 after second, scoring one and giving up two (one ENG) in third. UNH took 6 min in penalties in third of 12 mins in game to RIT 6 total pen mins, but no PPG or SHG.

We have over six months to build this stat database on this aptly named thread.

I mean...it won't be hard...seems like it's every game that the DIHL appears! We can't see the team from where we sit but I usually go hang out in the Ozone for the
second so I'll keep a close eye on it from here on out haha.

As you know there's a lot to be said for body language. I taught an interpersonal relationships class and I think the stat is something like this:

The 7-38-55 Rule indicates that only 7% of all communication is done through verbal communication, the words we speak, whereas the nonverbal component of our daily communication, such as the tonality of our voice, make up 38% and 55% from the speaker's body language and facial expressions.

But anyway, it isn't an easy job back behind that bench to be fair...but alot of energy good or bad can make a huge difference.
 
If memory serves right, the game before Bobby Butler literally put one through the net against Cornell and play continued for a good clip after because no one knew what happened to that shot

Yes that is correct. Clearly a goal but no stoppage until the next whistle. UNH fans and their bench going crazy. Long, long review as it so clearly went through the net but such an outlier that it was hard for the officially to admit it.
I believe I remember ecat and Snivley were in attendance and many others I’m sure. The Cornell fans just couldn’t rap their heads around it. Bobbies year for sure.
 
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