UNH Recruits: 2012-2018

[UMLFan]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Josh, as a Lowell fan that rooted against you quite often ... I have to say this thread is a great read thanks to your insights. Wish we had someone offer this kind of insight to other programs as well (my alma mater included).

 

[Ned Braden]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

If I was the highest paid state employee and made more then the govenor, I would say the same thing....

Yeah, it's really unusual for the head coach of the state university's #1 D-1 program to make more than the governor.

 

[sterlippo1]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Josh, ... I have to say this thread is a great read thanks to your insights. Wish we had someone offer this kind of insight to other programs as well (my alma mater included).

+1

 

[Josh Ciocco]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Josh, as a Lowell fan that rooted against you quite often ... I have to say this thread is a great read thanks to your insights. Wish we had someone offer this kind of insight to other programs as well (my alma mater included).

If you are a UML fan you have alot be to excited about next season. As the Hockey East Analyst I followed every team this year, and in watching lowell the four biggest pieces on their team were Carr, Wilson, Wetmore and Ruhwedel. All of these kids are back. Lowell came a game from the frozen four this season and return their entire core. Norm Bazin did a complete overhaul in terms of the culture in the room and Id be shocked if Lowell does not compete for the league title next season. I do not know a ton about their recruits. They certainly went old and are bringing in quite a few 21 year old freshman (7 to be exact). The next step for Lowell is going to be to build on their momentum and get in the ring with the likes of UNH, Maine and maybe even BU and start competing for some of the top recruits in the area. They have excellent facilities and Lowell is a respectable school. Traditionally Lowell has not been a place where local kids dream of playing--but a couple winning seasons can go a long ways. Norm Bazin is very passionate about Lowell and I believe he can sell that program and begin to start taking a piece of the pie.

When you look at next year I think Lowell will come into the season ranked #2, behind BC only--but they will be older and more experienced than BC---BC lost 3 very good dmen in Dumoulin, Cross and Shea and that is no small challenge to replace them. I think next season will be a down year for Hockey East on the national level and I believe it is as good a chance as ever for Lowell to win the league. Hope this helps.

 

[Josh Ciocco]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Josh,

Don't want to get you into any kind of trouble with any of these questions, but if you are able and willing to play analyst for us then we can just pretend it's a NESN call-in show and not a USCHO message board....

1) How do you see the top 6 shaking out next year? Several guys have seen time on the top two lines: Sorkin, Goumas, Downing, Henrion, Block, Silengo, Burke, Speelman....IMO Block and Silengo are more suited for a checking-line type role. If Burke stays healthy seems like he could be your other center along with Sorkin. Could a kid like Downing make the move to the middle?

As you guys know I watch alot of UNH Hockey and certainly care about how the program does. I can take a guess as to how the top 6 will be, but it is merely an educated guess and I have not sat down with the staff to discuss, nor will I. It is their decision and they make those decisions behind closed doors and the first people to know is the team---not me. Goumas and Sorkin had alot of chemistry and it would makes sense to keep them together. Slot Speelman in there and I think you have a great first line--very skilled and one of the top in the league. I expect a break out year from Greg Burke offensively and I think he gives UNH 25+ points. As an assitant captain and senior he will step up. Grayson Downing is probably UNH's most talented forward and I think he turns in 30+ points. I also think he will be on the first PP. Rounding out the top 6 I will go with one of three guys--Henrion, Block or Macdonald. Macdonald can score goals and playing with a guy like Downing could really give the youngster some confidence.


2) Any thoughts on why Henrion has been so inconsistent and hasn't really developed into the go-to kind of goal scorer that it seems like he has the talent (which he has shown in occasional brief spurts) to be?

This is a tough question to answer. My observation is that it takes him too long to get his shot off. It seems to me that hes looking to go bar down or knock the water bottle off the top of the net with each shot he takes. I think if he gets more pucks on the net and quickens his release he will score more goals. To John's credit he has gotten so much faster while at UNH. When he came in as a freshman I questioned if hed ever be able to get up and down the ice with any kind of pace. My hunch tells me that he will have a big year. Hes a senior, cares alot about UNH Hockey---and hes a great guy in the dressing room. Good things tend to happen to good people and I think that will be the case with Henrion.


3) Did Speelman actually get a redshirt? By my count and understanding of the rule as it's published in the NCAA manual, he played in too many games last year to get a redshirt...but on the boards it was stated months ago that Umile had said he did get one. If he did get the extra year, how does that impact UNH's recruiting if they have to come up with whatever scholarship money he is on for that extra year?

Speelman did get the red shirt. I dont know the details as to how this was possible--i just know that did in fact happen. As far as recruiting goes it just means that they have a top 6 forward for 2013-2014 that they did not expect to have. Im sure they had money for that year and will probably just look to add a skilled guy for 2014-2015 instead.


4) Kostolansky had an excellent Sophomore campaign and I (and others too I imagine) expected him to be one of the steadying forces for a young blueline this past season...but far too often it seemed like he was the one that was struggling with his consistency. Did I make that up and/or any thoughts why his play might have taken a step back and how he can bounce back this year?

I think defensively his game was pretty consistent with how it was during his first 2 years. If you look at his numbers there was a drop off--but I think that is a result of him not playing with Blake Kessel. TVR runs the PP and will do the same next season. BK is a good, solid, puck moving defender and I personally am confident with the job he does defensively. I think next season with TVR, Pesce and BK UNH will have no issues getting the puck up the ice to forwards as those three dmen have 3 of the better sticks in Hockey East.

5) Casey Thrush impressed me last season with his skating ability and good size. What do you see as his offensive upside over the next few seasons, and where do you think his ceiling is in terms of production?

I do not want to put limitiations on a player. Thrush surprised me last season as well as the coaching staff and fans. Here is what I will say about him---he keeps getting better. He grew up playing against my little brother and was never a big name in the area. Every year he has taken positive strides. He is an intelligent kid on and off the ice and seems to be very good at figuring out what he needs to do to be successful. He does not strike me as someone with high end offensive abilities (top 6 forward) but he has surprised me in the past and it would not shock me if he did so over the remainder of his UNH career.


Thanks--I've enjoyed seeing all your thoughts on things thus far.

Hope this helps.

 

[WIrinkrat]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Hope this helps.

Thanks Josh, good to hear your thoughts. Interesting (exciting) to see how high you are on Macdonald. If he manages to be in the mix for a top 6 spot right out of the gate given the guys coming back, then that will certainly say a lot.


You kind of already answered this with your comments about Burke and Downing, but who else do you see that you expect to really elevate their game next season?

 

[carltonbarrett]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

When you look at next year I think Lowell will come into the season ranked #2, behind BC only--but they will be older and more experienced than BC---BC lost 3 very good dmen in Dumoulin, Cross and Shea and that is no small challenge to replace them. I think next season will be a down year for Hockey East on the national level and I believe it is as good a chance as ever for Lowell to win the league. Hope this helps.

BC returns 3 D-Men who've played a lot of minutes and who have won a combined 5 NCAA Titles. They also bring in several blue chip recruits at the position, including Michael Matheson, who some predict will be a mid first round NHL draft pick. Remember, they won the whole thing a couple years back skating 4 freshmen D, so throw in Milner in net, a strong group of returning forwards and some excellent recruits and I just don't see them slipping much. I agree the one thing UML has over BC is age but that's about it.

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Josh,

Thank you for your fascinating posts. You have elevated this thread from a part time sand box for bickering boys to the top of the USCHO Fan Forum.

All the best,

Darius

 

[Josh Ciocco]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

BC returns 3 D-Men who've played a lot of minutes and who have won a combined 5 NCAA Titles. They also bring in several blue chip recruits at the position, including Michael Matheson, who some predict will be a mid first round NHL draft pick. Remember, they won the whole thing a couple years back skating 4 freshmen D, so throw in Milner in net, a strong group of returning forwards and some excellent recruits and I just don't see them slipping much. I agree the one thing UML has over BC is age but that's about it.

I put BC at #1 because they will have the most talent--especially up front with Whitney, Gaudreau, Arnold, Hayes, Mullane, Straight, Vatrano and Richardson.

On the back end though things will be much different at BC. Matheson is big time and will be expected to fill in for Dumoulin and run the PP, but he will not even come close to replacing him. Dumoulin and Cross were the two best dmen in the league and the two most NHL ready--clendening is very good too. Edwin Shea proved to be very reliable and gave BC good minutes. I can not stress enough how big a loss Dumoulin and Cross will be. Moving forward, Wey is bigtime and will be the #1 guy. Matheson will have a learning curve, but is very talented. McCleod looked good in a limited role and his feet have improved. Patch Alber is reliable. Teddy Doherty is probably the #5 and Colin Sullivan #6. Travis Jeke may be headed to the USHL---but I think that kid is a real steal for BC. I think Jeke is a recruited walk on and I feel the kid has NHL potential. He is very raw right now, but hes tall, thin, and really light on his feet. Anyways, Wey, Matheson, Alber, McCleod, Doherty and Sullivan is a serious down grade from the D-core they had this past season. You cant expect to replace Dumoulin and Cross in 1 year.

Milner proved himself last year---but I still think he has more to prove. There are some who feel he was never really tested this past season and that BC's team defense was simply that good. I am curious to see how he will perform without the leagues top D-core in front of him.

Now, BC fans have nothing to get too worried about. They just won a title, and while next year there will be scary moments on the backend---their class coming in for the fall of 2013 is just down right dirty. They will graduate talented guys in 2013 and surely lose some to the NHL--but man is that class coming in good. Ryan Fitzgerald has ROY potential, so does Austin Cangelosi---closest comparison I can give for those two is Ben Eaves (Fitzgerald) and Tony Voce (Cangelosi). Chris Calnan and Adam Gilmour are both NHL prospects and should be drafted in round 3-5 this year. Both will make immediate impacts. Steve Santini and Scott Savage are out with the NTDP and will likely be drafted in the top 2 rounds of the 2013 NHL draft. Travis Jeke I mentioned above is someone I believe to be a total steal and Sam Piazza is a bit of a wildcard. That is one exceptional class.

 

[carltonbarrett]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

As much as I respected Shea, I think you are giving him a bit too much credit. Sure he was steady, but he had his moments where he really looked shaky too. Dumoulin and Cross on the other hand will be sorely missed. As you somewhat alluded to, Macleod improved dramatically during the course of the year and will undoubtedly log a ton of minutes along with Wey and Alber. Matheson will surely be the freshmen who rounds out the top two pairings, so with those 4, I think you have very solid core that will probably be out there 45+ minutes a game, with Doherty and Sullivan, who are both very talented players themselves, being worked in more slowly. By the mid point of the season I see the D being very solid.

I agree that Fitzgerald compares favorably to Ben Eaves, though maybe "slightly" less talented, but I think Cangelosi has the potential to be even better than Tony Voce. What Cangelosi did as a 17 year old rookie in the USHL this year is more impressive than what Voce did as an 18/19 year old at Lawrence Academy.

 

[Josh Ciocco]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

As much as I respected Shea, I think you are giving him a bit too much credit. Sure he was steady, but he had his moments where he really looked shaky too. Dumoulin and Cross on the other hand will be sorely missed. As you somewhat alluded to, Macleod improved dramatically during the course of the year and will undoubtedly log a ton of minutes along with Wey and Alber. Matheson will surely be the freshmen who rounds out the top two pairings, so with those 4, I think you have very solid core that will probably be out there 45+ minutes a game, with Doherty and Sullivan, who are both very talented players themselves, being worked in more slowly. By the mid point of the season I see the D being very solid.

I agree that Fitzgerald compares favorably to Ben Eaves, though maybe "slightly" less talented, but I think Cangelosi has the potential to be even better than Tony Voce. What Cangelosi did as a 17 year old rookie in the USHL this year is more impressive than what Voce did as an 18/19 year old at Lawrence Academy.

When you are comparing Fitzgerald and Cangelosi to Eaves and Voce you are talking about 4 high end players. Voce and Eaves were phenomenal for BC. If not for injuries I feel Ben Eaves would be in the NHL and would have been one of the best ever at BC. Will be tough for Ryan to emulate Eaves, but he is very good and very intelligent---just like Ben. Someone said this to me when descibing Ryan, "He is playing chess while eveyone else is playing checkers." I liked that line so much i used it on USHR. Put it this way, Ryan has the upside of Ben Eaves and the downside of Ryan Shannon. Bottom line is BC is getting one heck of a player. Him and Gaudreau together (if Johnny stays---Calgary offered him this year) are going to be alot of fun to watch. Now do not under estimate Tony Voce. You gotta remember, when Voce played at Lawrence Academy prep school was a whole different game---it was in its prime--and Voce was player of the year. I think Cangelosi will have a very hard time reaching the same type of #s as Voce. Tony was highly productive all four years. But I think Cangelosi is the same type of player in the sense that he is ultra dynamic and dangerous offensively. However, like voce, cangelosi is physically limited, lacks pro upside and may have limited vision. I dont know how much better Cangelosi is going to get. Voce was the same way---pretty much the same player at BC all four years. IN regards to BC's D---all of them with the exception of Wey and Alber are not prepared for their roles and will require and adjustment period. Maybe it will come together, but maybe it wont---though with BC they usually find a way to make it work. I will say this---I like Jeke more than Sullivan and think he is the guy they should be bringing in and playing in that #6 spot. Sullivan was just ok this season and was very shaky in the Playoffs against Nobles---he really struggled playing against the all BC line of Calnan-Gilmour-White...and he will see much better than that next season. Jeke on the other hand is only going to get better. I got a good feeling about him and think BC has a real find on their hands---wait till you see that kid skate. So fluid. Could play the whole game and not get tired. Alot to work with there.

Anyways---thats enough about BC Hockey for one night. Cheers

 

[UMLFan]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

If you are a UML fan you have alot be to excited about next season. As the Hockey East Analyst I followed every team this year, and in watching lowell the four biggest pieces on their team were Carr, Wilson, Wetmore and Ruhwedel. All of these kids are back. Lowell came a game from the frozen four this season and return their entire core. Norm Bazin did a complete overhaul in terms of the culture in the room and Id be shocked if Lowell does not compete for the league title next season. I do not know a ton about their recruits. They certainly went old and are bringing in quite a few 21 year old freshman (7 to be exact). The next step for Lowell is going to be to build on their momentum and get in the ring with the likes of UNH, Maine and maybe even BU and start competing for some of the top recruits in the area. They have excellent facilities and Lowell is a respectable school. Traditionally Lowell has not been a place where local kids dream of playing--but a couple winning seasons can go a long ways. Norm Bazin is very passionate about Lowell and I believe he can sell that program and begin to start taking a piece of the pie.

When you look at next year I think Lowell will come into the season ranked #2, behind BC only--but they will be older and more experienced than BC---BC lost 3 very good dmen in Dumoulin, Cross and Shea and that is no small challenge to replace them. I think next season will be a down year for Hockey East on the national level and I believe it is as good a chance as ever for Lowell to win the league. Hope this helps.

Josh, thanks. Wasn't really expecting comments on Lowell, and I really appreciate what you said here. We do believe the future is looking very good for the first time in years. I have some more questions, but I won't bug you, or torture the UNH fans on their recruit thread. Thanks again!

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

A fun highlight video of 2013 Recruit Tyler Kelleher from his Longmeadow HS, Deerfield Academy, & TeamUSA days:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0A9JPCH8kY

 

[bomberhockey]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Also, dismissing the current admissions challenges when comparing UNH now and UNH 15 years ago also is not fair. It makes the job WAY more challenging. Case in point--John Gaudreau. I know you guys are familiar with the situation. John is a very close family friend of mine. His father taught me the game when I was 7 years old. My litte brother is a '93 and played with John for years while growing up this. This season John's father and my dad are coaching a team together---point being is we are family friends and I know exactly what happened.

John decommitted from Northeastern in August and became a free agent. BU, BC, and UVM all made full scholorship offers for the 2012-2013 season. John is arguably the top freshman in the country--why wouldnt they make offers, right? UNH admissions, because it was late in the year and they had said no to other sports would not even review Johnny Gaudreau's application. I promise you this, John had a strong interest in going to UNH. His best freind is Jamie Hill, a UNH recruit. He asked me about my experience at UNH and I had great reviews of the program. JVR is someone John has skated with numerous times and JVR had great things to say. None the less, admissions wouldnt even look at his application. How much different would UNH have been this season if they had him? You think that would have been an issue 15 years ago? No chance. Dont ignore the current challenges and dismiss them as if they do not exist. The school and the state have to get behind the team like they used to be, as UNH hockey brings the state of New Hampshire a great deal of pride.

Josh,
I applaud you and have great respect for coming on these boards as yourself and not a "Username Nobody" as I do, although my name means nothing to hockey circles. I too am close to the staff, but have no where near the access that you do, and get very frustrated by some of the blatant false assumptions that are made here and from time to time and try to rebut. I am happy that you were so candid about your involvement in the JG situation last summer, I heard you say if accepted he would come, as close to 100% commitment as we'll ever now know. I know that the staff doesn't read these personally but does get some of the assumptions and accusations get back to them second hand, sometimes from me. Thanks for defending the staff's integrity, I think to a personal detriment they are honest, in SB's case if he weren't honest and upfront he'd probably be a HC possibly in Hockey East. As far as Hockey East what is UConn going to do about their facility it is inadequate as a Hockey East building, although nice it makes Lawlor look like MSG. Will they expand or build new? Is Hartford CC their home ice? Again thanks for setting us straight on a few things that could come from almost no one else

 

[unh_hockey]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Here are a couple things I would like to point out. First, UNH needs tangible change. Facilities very much so play a role in the recruiting game. I think the Whit is a great rink and the best place to play college hockey in my opinion. [/b]But if you go down to BU and BC there is simply no comparing the facilities. [/b] Id really like to see UNH enhance the locker room, build a lounge (which just about every other team has one) and potentially build their own weight room (which alot of other teams have). These things DO make a difference. Since Scott Borek has arrived there have been zero tangible changes made. BU built a palace 1 hour away. Merrimack renovated their entire rink/locker room. Northeastern has built a first class players only weight room and renovated the locker room. Maine has renovated their entire facility. If you think these things do not make his job MUCH more challenging than you are sadly mistaken. I am not going to say its impossible for UNH to out recruit BU and BC, but it is MUCH more challenging now than it was 15 years ago. Facilities do make a big difference. Look no further than Miami of Ohio and how much better that program has gotten. Look no further than BU and how the program was on a serious decline before Agganis. My Freshman year, the final season at Walter Brown Arena, BU finished 8th place. Do you know what UNH's recruiting budget is? I wont go into details, but I will tell you that Providence College has double the budget of UNH---how much more do you think BC and BU have? I believe the state and the school need to recommit themselves to having a top notch program and make tangible changes---Scott Borek is not the fall guy here.

bingo

I had a rather in depth discussion with a recruits parent regarding UNHs miss on a blue chip player. At first glance, it would have made sense to send the kid to UNH but he ended up at BC. Having seen so many of these speculations regarding 'near misses', I decided to investigate what factors contributed towards BC getting a top recruit over UNH. Many people here ( incorrectly) make statements about the University of no hardware being a factor ; that didn't even really come up at all. Here is what stood out:

- The facilities were the selling point - period. UNH's was a "Yukon" compared to BC's "Cadillac". Their words not mine. BC has built a reputation for developing NHL ready players, and some scouts credit BCs superior facilities.

- BC's outreach programs was outstanding From what I understand, most parents will know if their kids are going to make something of themselves by about age 14. While there are limitations to when programs can reach these kids, it doesn't stop BC from sending alumni and NHL players to events that basically get the kids thinking about BC. While I am sure UNH might have something like this, I can assure you that BC helped their cause by having Bradford, Gionta, and Gerbe talk to a few 15 year old kids who were still in the mix..

though teams like BC have an unlimited budget--which is a huge advantage.

This is a bigger factor than most people realize. As a layperson, listening to the recollection of the post beanpot after-parties, you hear names like Hayes' and Krieder's throwing out insane amounts of money. Its like something out of the movie Casino or Goodfellas. Yes, this might be purely anecdotal and be divorced from reality in some sense, its no secret that BC and BU are likely situated in superior financial shape than UNH is. Lets put it this way, when a co worker who easily pulls in 6 figures is worried about his kid going broke because of his friends, you can make certain inferences.

You state a downward trend in the UNH Hockey program since scott Borek's arrival

People tend to confuse correlation with causation - of which they are probably not even interrelated. Who is to say those first/ second line kids who went to UNH in 2000-2004 wouldn't go to play in the WHL in 2012? Rather than assume that UNH is inferior when compared to 10 years ago, perhaps the Major Junior clubs are more of a draw for kids than they used to be?? If I had to guess, I'd say the college hockey landscape has equillibrated significantly since 2006 and beyond. (sans BC it seems). How else would Ferris state be in the national title, Notre dame play for a FF, and Vermont be a FF contender? This would not have happened in the 90s.

I am glad to see this thread go towards that of discussion rather than random evisceration over speculation. thanks again for the insight.

also, is that fornataro for Hobey campaign still going on?

 

[Onion Man]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

UNH cannot recruit consistently against BU and BC. Both are better schools, both are in Boston, both play in the Beanpot and both have national success (recent and not so recent). UNH can rise from time to time and make a run like they did in the late 90's, early 2000s, but they dont have the realistic capacity to consistently beat BU and BC where it counts, in a recruit's living room. No shame in it, though. Several schools wish they could recruit successfully vs. UNH, too.

 

[Hokydad]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

bingo

I had a rather in depth discussion with a recruits parent regarding UNHs miss on a blue chip player. At first glance, it would have made sense to send the kid to UNH but he ended up at BC. Having seen so many of these speculations regarding 'near misses', I decided to investigate what factors contributed towards BC getting a top recruit over UNH. Many people here ( incorrectly) make statements about the University of no hardware being a factor ; that didn't even really come up at all. Here is what stood out:

- The facilities were the selling point - period. UNH's was a "Yukon" compared to BC's "Cadillac". Their words not mine. BC has built a reputation for developing NHL ready players, and some scouts credit BCs superior facilities.

- BC's outreach programs was outstanding From what I understand, most parents will know if their kids are going to make something of themselves by about age 14. While there are limitations to when programs can reach these kids, it doesn't stop BC from sending alumni and NHL players to events that basically get the kids thinking about BC. While I am sure UNH might have something like this, I can assure you that BC helped their cause by having Bradford, Gionta, and Gerbe talk to a few 15 year old kids who were still in the mix..

though teams like BC have an unlimited budget--which is a huge advantage.

This is a bigger factor than most people realize. As a layperson, listening to the recollection of the post beanpot after-parties, you hear names like Hayes' and Krieder's throwing out insane amounts of money. Its like something out of the movie Casino or Goodfellas. Yes, this might be purely anecdotal and be divorced from reality in some sense, its no secret that BC and BU are likely situated in superior financial shape than UNH is. Lets put it this way, when a co worker who easily pulls in 6 figures is worried about his kid going broke because of his friends, you can make certain inferences.

You state a downward trend in the UNH Hockey program since scott Borek's arrival

People tend to confuse correlation with causation - of which they are probably not even interrelated. Who is to say those first/ second line kids who went to UNH in 2000-2004 wouldn't go to play in the WHL in 2012? Rather than assume that UNH is inferior when compared to 10 years ago, perhaps the Major Junior clubs are more of a draw for kids than they used to be?? If I had to guess, I'd say the college hockey landscape has equillibrated significantly since 2006 and beyond. (sans BC it seems). How else would Ferris state be in the national title, Notre dame play for a FF, and Vermont be a FF contender? This would not have happened in the 90s.

I am glad to see this thread go towards that of discussion rather than random evisceration over speculation. thanks again for the insight.

also, is that fornataro for Hobey campaign still going on?

You are insane if you think any of the families you just mentioned spent a dime on an after party. Kreiders are one of the most down to earth families you will ever meet in hockey. Dad took the train to NY instead of flying to watch Rangers playoff games. Borderline Ozzie and Harriet. Old school American family.

You are right, it is divorced from reality. Just when you thought you had heard everything. ***

 

[Jacques "Rabbit" Poriveau]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

UNH cannot recruit consistently against BU and BC.

Zey dont ave to. Take what you can in New englands, take what you can in Toronto, et BCHL et USHL. Be near da tops in all dem plaices, mais plus importante, pick zee right keeds et zee ow you say hidden gems, et den coach you ace off wit dem.

Et beside da usual plaices look to zee not usual plaices. Et pourquoi UNHs zee ONLY Ockey East school who nevure haved a Europeean playeur? Zee only one, I say zay not trrying ard enuff.

Finalement, how Shawns Walsh win 2 Naticional title, in Orono frciken Maine, wif dem phacilities et dat excuse for a sckool?

 

[unh_hockey]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

You are insane if you think any of the families you just mentioned spent a dime on an after party. Kreiders are one of the most down to earth families you will ever meet in hockey. Dad took the train to NY instead of flying to watch Rangers playoff games. Borderline Ozzie and Harriet. Old school American family.

You are right, it is divorced from reality. Just when you thought you had heard everything. ***

The purpose was to be anecdotal and nothing more. BC is financially well off, as are some of the players parents who went to some of these events. so what? This isn't earth shattering news.

Breathe in...it'll be okay. This is a college hockey message board, not a senate investigation.

UNH cannot recruit consistently against BU and BC. Both are better schools, both are in Boston, both play in the Beanpot and both have national success (recent and not so recent). UNH can rise from time to time and make a run like they did in the late 90's, early 2000s, but they dont have the realistic capacity to consistently beat BU and BC where it counts, in a recruit's living room. No shame in it, though. Several schools wish they could recruit successfully vs. UNH, too.

per earlier this thread, it sounded like Gudreau wanted to play at UNH but had trouble with admissions. While in general I agree, UNH tends to attract good players and its unfortunate as of late that several key players have not made it in for whatever reason.

It seems people take this stuff seriously to the point where it is a detriment to their lives. So much angst amongst the fanbase. Those of us who still play but never had a future play because its a lifestyle. The same goes for going to catch a UNH game on a friday night. You go to enjoy what the game has to offer - to UNHs credit they have put a good product on the ice for some time. They might not have won a national title, but enjoying the sport is a lifestyle too. its one I hope I never have to give up as a player and as a fan...

 

[IrishWildcat]

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

Re: UNH Recruits: 2012-2016

They don't have to. Take what you can in New England, take what you can in Toronto, and BCHL and USHL. Be near the top in all them places, and more important, pick the right kids and the how you say hidden gems, and then coach your *** off with them.

And besides the usual places look to the not usual places. And why is UNH the ONLY Hockey East school who never had a European player? The only one, I say they not trrying hard enough.

Finally, how did Shawn Walsh win 2 National titles, in Orono fricken Maine, with them facilities at that excuse for a school?

After running this post through my Moron-to-English translator, it actually makes a solid point, if not a hackneyed one.

The UNH coaching staff is kidding itself if it thinks it can honestly compete with the BCs and BUs of the world. We're CLOSE, we play in the same CONFERENCE, but we're not in the same LEAGUE as those guys.

The cream of the New England crop are most likely going to BC or BU. Now, does that mean that we shouldn't even try? Of course not. You don't go to the dance with the hot chick if you don't ask her. But I'm not the guy who'll get heartbroken, or even more perplexing...****ed off, over losing yet another recruit to BC/BU. It's a fact of life: they have the most to offer. However, maybe a top player isn't looking for what they offer. UNH has a good niche: A full Olympic-size rink (which will definitely improve/showcase a player's skating ability), a quality education, and a more laid-back atmosphere versus living in Boston.

As I've said, it's not that they CAN'T get kids who are looking at BC or BU, but they can't try playing the same cards.