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UNH Wildcats: 2010-2011 Season Thread
- Thread starter Wild E. Cat
- Start date
granddaddyscout
Registered User
Re: UNH Wildcats: 2010-2011 Season Thread
I am looking at the schedule and think this may be a 20 loss season, is that possible? That is a long way to fall.
I am looking at the schedule and think this may be a 20 loss season, is that possible? That is a long way to fall.
Re: UNH Wildcats: 2010-2011 Season Thread
Looking at the Rutter computer rankings elsewhere in this thread, they're favored only against 4 of 16 teams on their schedule, that's VT and Maine. Their expected W-L the rest of the way is 6-10 (ignoring ties). Add in a loss in the playoffs, that's 19 losses for the season. So 14-19 is the most likely outcome. It's entirely possible to hit 20, unless UNH improves faster than the competition.
I didn't think so at first, but yes, it's possible.
Looking at the Rutter computer rankings elsewhere in this thread, they're favored only against 4 of 16 teams on their schedule, that's VT and Maine. Their expected W-L the rest of the way is 6-10 (ignoring ties). Add in a loss in the playoffs, that's 19 losses for the season. So 14-19 is the most likely outcome. It's entirely possible to hit 20, unless UNH improves faster than the competition.
lordsontheboards
Peace be with you.
Re: UNH Wildcats: 2010-2011 Season Thread
The wheels are falling off right about now. The players on this team play on their own little island. Their young egos are getting in their way. They think they can win on talent alone. like the late Herb Brooks said "you don't have enough talent to win on talent alone". Do you think that the likes of Sam Faber, Kelly Paton, Kacey Bellamy, Martin Garland, Sadi Wright-Ward, Jen Hitchcock, just to name a few could carry a team on their back? They only were successful because of each other. Playing as one. It was great to watch. This team can turn it around once they decide to get off their own agendas. They must play as a team every minute of every shift of every game. That is only going to be possible when they learn to love each other and play for each other. Can't happen any other way. Something stinks in Durham right now and its a smell that i'm not used to.
The wheels are falling off right about now. The players on this team play on their own little island. Their young egos are getting in their way. They think they can win on talent alone. like the late Herb Brooks said "you don't have enough talent to win on talent alone". Do you think that the likes of Sam Faber, Kelly Paton, Kacey Bellamy, Martin Garland, Sadi Wright-Ward, Jen Hitchcock, just to name a few could carry a team on their back? They only were successful because of each other. Playing as one. It was great to watch. This team can turn it around once they decide to get off their own agendas. They must play as a team every minute of every shift of every game. That is only going to be possible when they learn to love each other and play for each other. Can't happen any other way. Something stinks in Durham right now and its a smell that i'm not used to.
Hux
Alfond to Ridder & rinks in between
Re: UNH Wildcats: 2010-2011 Season Thread
Just in from the mall. I'm pretty sure I saw Coach McCloskey sitting on Santa's lap...with a long list in hand....
Just in from the mall. I'm pretty sure I saw Coach McCloskey sitting on Santa's lap...with a long list in hand....
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Re: UNH Wildcats: 2010-2011 Season Thread
We knew going into the season that it wasn't going to be the Year of the Cat. Olympians returned to, and joined many of the programs we have on our schedule, and a few schools landed more than a couple of rookies who have experience nationally / internationally at the U-18 level. UNH has obviously not benefited from such additions yet. We are facing world class goaltending with undeveloped (at the collegiate level) scoring.
There was a coaching change last spring made to address the recruiting situation directly, and we are already starting to see the results of that with the still unofficial commitments lists, which include some top talent headed to Durham in the near future.
While I am not in the locker room (at least not while the team is) I would imagine that if the team is not playing to it's full potential (and it's clear that they're not), it's tough to stay positive. There is a core group who gives everything they have on every shift, but that is not enough to win games. Every player in a jersey has to bring that effort for 60 minutes, and play every shift like they will be replaced if they don't contribute, because they can and will be if they don't deserve to wear our letters. The leaders have to lead, and the lower classes have to follow, chase, and start acting like Wildcats. We have seen against BU and BC that this group is capable of skating with any team. Win or lose, if they bring that top effort every day, every shift, they will be in every game. It's about taking that target that many people were relieved was not on UNH's back this year, putting it in front of the team instead, and going after it like a pack of hungry Wildcats.
"so i'll walk the plank
and i'll jump with a smile
if i'm gonna go down
i'm gonna do it with style
and you won't see me surrender
you won't hear me confess
'cuz you've left me with nothing
but i've worked with less"
Dilate - Ani diFranco
We knew going into the season that it wasn't going to be the Year of the Cat. Olympians returned to, and joined many of the programs we have on our schedule, and a few schools landed more than a couple of rookies who have experience nationally / internationally at the U-18 level. UNH has obviously not benefited from such additions yet. We are facing world class goaltending with undeveloped (at the collegiate level) scoring.
There was a coaching change last spring made to address the recruiting situation directly, and we are already starting to see the results of that with the still unofficial commitments lists, which include some top talent headed to Durham in the near future.
While I am not in the locker room (at least not while the team is) I would imagine that if the team is not playing to it's full potential (and it's clear that they're not), it's tough to stay positive. There is a core group who gives everything they have on every shift, but that is not enough to win games. Every player in a jersey has to bring that effort for 60 minutes, and play every shift like they will be replaced if they don't contribute, because they can and will be if they don't deserve to wear our letters. The leaders have to lead, and the lower classes have to follow, chase, and start acting like Wildcats. We have seen against BU and BC that this group is capable of skating with any team. Win or lose, if they bring that top effort every day, every shift, they will be in every game. It's about taking that target that many people were relieved was not on UNH's back this year, putting it in front of the team instead, and going after it like a pack of hungry Wildcats.
"so i'll walk the plank
and i'll jump with a smile
if i'm gonna go down
i'm gonna do it with style
and you won't see me surrender
you won't hear me confess
'cuz you've left me with nothing
but i've worked with less"
Dilate - Ani diFranco
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Wild E. Cat
BETTER DEAD THAN BU RED
Re: UNH Wildcats: 2010-2011 Season Thread
Can you elaborate on this DC? I wasn't aware of this.
Re: UNH Wildcats: 2010-2011 Season Thread
Jamie Wood was brought in from Minnesota to replace Erin. From what I'd heard, Erin was going to have to spend a lot of time on the recruiting trail, and with motherhood this was not an option. Erin has since taken the Head Coaching job of the Boston CWHL team.
Jamie Wood was brought in from Minnesota to replace Erin. From what I'd heard, Erin was going to have to spend a lot of time on the recruiting trail, and with motherhood this was not an option. Erin has since taken the Head Coaching job of the Boston CWHL team.
Hux
Alfond to Ridder & rinks in between
Re: UNH Wildcats: 2010-2011 Season Thread
not much to elaborate on. Coach Hamlen decided to focus on family and explore some other options. if you know you need to fill the position, you're going to look at what you want for the program to move forward, and from everything I've heard, Coach Wood is an excellent recruiter, and UNH wants to bring top talent in. Makes sense to me.
Wild E. Cat
BETTER DEAD THAN BU RED
Re: UNH Wildcats: 2010-2011 Season Thread
Thud ...
Thud ...
Re: UNH Wildcats: 2010-2011 Season Thread
It's always tough to be a fan when the team hits hard times...keep believing Wildcat nation....while our women might be slugging thru some hard times, football has made the next step in the playoffs and the men's team has but one loss in HE going into Alfond next week....the women will be back soon enough, they carried the load for more than there share of the time! Bring on Harvard.....
It's always tough to be a fan when the team hits hard times...keep believing Wildcat nation....while our women might be slugging thru some hard times, football has made the next step in the playoffs and the men's team has but one loss in HE going into Alfond next week....the women will be back soon enough, they carried the load for more than there share of the time! Bring on Harvard.....
Hux
Alfond to Ridder & rinks in between
Re: UNH Wildcats: 2010-2011 Season Thread
Ah, he hasn't ever had any trouble recruiting in Ontario. As for committing, the key to making a verbal commitment is making sure you have the grades to get into the school you are committing to. Doesn't matter if you have an NLI, if you aren't accepted, the NLI is void.
Ah, he hasn't ever had any trouble recruiting in Ontario. As for committing, the key to making a verbal commitment is making sure you have the grades to get into the school you are committing to. Doesn't matter if you have an NLI, if you aren't accepted, the NLI is void.
Re: UNH Wildcats: 2010-2011 Season Thread
This issue is the really big problem (among others) with the growing trend/pressure to get players committed earlier and earlier every year. And as we have seen, several players are already committing to various schools for 2012! Since everything is verbal only until Nov of senior year, you have only a coach's past reputation for honouring commitments to go on (and in reverse, also a family's integrity in honoring that commitment). Neither is always perfect, unfortunately. In the interim, many things in the landscape will likely change both ways. And if it is later deemed in his best interests to back out for some unforeseen reason, any coach can always fall back on the convenient explanation that it was out of his hands, that it was Admissions that would not consent. In some cases this may actually have been true, in many other cases in the past in some programs it has most certainly not been, based on subsequent conversations directly between Admissions departments and the high schools. And remarkably, it still happens year after year with some....even with players whose marks and scores didn't change subsequent to the commitment
The fact is that regardless of whether the reason given by any coach for later reneging on an offer is actually legitimate, word of such situations does travel VERY quickly, especially in a dense and tight-knit hockey market like southern Ontario. Because of the uncertainty, it most definitely does have a significant impact on future recruiting, at least until a track record for credibility has been repaired. Currently there are at least a couple of historical hockey powers that are a much harder sell to players in Ontario than they used to be for this reason. Programs with high historical rates of transfers/attrition are another watchout that also has a longer term dampening effect on their recruiting in Ontario. Maybe the power of this grapevine and knowledge base is not as strong in other recruiting markets, or perhaps maybe it matters less in areas where potential recruits may tend to have fewer options, I couldn't say.
Given this reality, it behooves every coach to make sure they have had early discussions with Admissions on any player having academic stats on/near the bubble, before offering to make an early commitment to a player, and maintaining a regular dialogue with both to ensure they are clear and remain on track to meet the required hurdles.
And before any player even considers making an early commitment to a school, IMHO they are completely nuts if they have not first made sure they have had a discussion with Admissions on the academic hurdle that will be required, rather than merely taking any coach's word that he will later be able to get them in. Then, make sure you keep working hard to get the best marks possible right through to graduation.
Ah, he hasn't ever had any trouble recruiting in Ontario. As for committing, the key to making a verbal commitment is making sure you have the grades to get into the school you are committing to. Doesn't matter if you have an NLI, if you aren't accepted, the NLI is void.
This issue is the really big problem (among others) with the growing trend/pressure to get players committed earlier and earlier every year. And as we have seen, several players are already committing to various schools for 2012! Since everything is verbal only until Nov of senior year, you have only a coach's past reputation for honouring commitments to go on (and in reverse, also a family's integrity in honoring that commitment). Neither is always perfect, unfortunately. In the interim, many things in the landscape will likely change both ways. And if it is later deemed in his best interests to back out for some unforeseen reason, any coach can always fall back on the convenient explanation that it was out of his hands, that it was Admissions that would not consent. In some cases this may actually have been true, in many other cases in the past in some programs it has most certainly not been, based on subsequent conversations directly between Admissions departments and the high schools. And remarkably, it still happens year after year with some....even with players whose marks and scores didn't change subsequent to the commitment
The fact is that regardless of whether the reason given by any coach for later reneging on an offer is actually legitimate, word of such situations does travel VERY quickly, especially in a dense and tight-knit hockey market like southern Ontario. Because of the uncertainty, it most definitely does have a significant impact on future recruiting, at least until a track record for credibility has been repaired. Currently there are at least a couple of historical hockey powers that are a much harder sell to players in Ontario than they used to be for this reason. Programs with high historical rates of transfers/attrition are another watchout that also has a longer term dampening effect on their recruiting in Ontario. Maybe the power of this grapevine and knowledge base is not as strong in other recruiting markets, or perhaps maybe it matters less in areas where potential recruits may tend to have fewer options, I couldn't say.
Given this reality, it behooves every coach to make sure they have had early discussions with Admissions on any player having academic stats on/near the bubble, before offering to make an early commitment to a player, and maintaining a regular dialogue with both to ensure they are clear and remain on track to meet the required hurdles.
And before any player even considers making an early commitment to a school, IMHO they are completely nuts if they have not first made sure they have had a discussion with Admissions on the academic hurdle that will be required, rather than merely taking any coach's word that he will later be able to get them in. Then, make sure you keep working hard to get the best marks possible right through to graduation.
Re: UNH Wildcats: 2010-2011 Season Thread
Nicely said Trillium, but even though we are dealing with exceptional women, at 15 and 16 they are still kids, who have people chasing them, who love to text and jaw on Facebook.....then add into the equation the "Hockey Parent", who can be as bad as the "Stage Mom".....I have no allegiance to any school admin dep't., but who then is at fault when "things change"?
I know that recruiting is as it is and won't change but when we worry more about the future teams then the one currently on the ice, everyone should reprioritize...I know, it won't though.....such is the devil in the details.
Nicely said Trillium, but even though we are dealing with exceptional women, at 15 and 16 they are still kids, who have people chasing them, who love to text and jaw on Facebook.....then add into the equation the "Hockey Parent", who can be as bad as the "Stage Mom".....I have no allegiance to any school admin dep't., but who then is at fault when "things change"?
I know that recruiting is as it is and won't change but when we worry more about the future teams then the one currently on the ice, everyone should reprioritize...I know, it won't though.....such is the devil in the details.
lordsontheboards
Peace be with you.
Re: UNH Wildcats: 2010-2011 Season Thread
Strong words benito. Why would you say that? He has always had great success in Canada in general. The only reason that I can think of is that some spoiled kid that was raised with a silver spoon in her mouth did not get her way and the parent could be bad mouthing the program up north because of it. Other than that I can't think of a reason. Most certainly isn't his coaching.
Strong words benito. Why would you say that? He has always had great success in Canada in general. The only reason that I can think of is that some spoiled kid that was raised with a silver spoon in her mouth did not get her way and the parent could be bad mouthing the program up north because of it. Other than that I can't think of a reason. Most certainly isn't his coaching.
ARM
Fan of chipmunk-like mascots.
Re: UNH Wildcats: 2010-2011 Season Thread
A disgruntled "spoiled kid" is less likely to do much damage to a program's reputation, because the people that know her well enough to value her opinion will know of her own personality deficiencies. In situations such as described by Trillium, it's possible the fault lies with the student or the school, but in most cases, there is probably some culpability on both sides. Perception can be reality. UNH has recruited well in the past. I don't know anything about their current talent, but we are used to them having rosters that didn't lose seven games in a year, let alone in a row.