UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

While I generally agree with the tone of your post, just because Chuck doesn't have season tickets doesn't mean that he doesn't have a stake in the game. He's a fan, a much more loyal fan that several I come across in the arena every home game, so I do believe his opinion counts for something. But as a season ticket holder, my biggest complaint these days (and I am not alone on this) is how UNH offers discounted tickets for all available seats. Since you are also a season ticket holder, how do you feel when you sit down in your seat and find out that the guy next to you has picked up tickets for 2/3 the price you are paying? I know UNH has lowered season ticket prices over the years but, frankly, we are still treated as sheep just as we have ever since the Whit opened.

Regarding attendance, I went to the watered down media guide that the UNH issues now and found that that the top four Hockey East schools in terms of total attendance in all games were UConn, BC, Lowell, and UNH. As percentage of capacity, it was UVM (93%), Lowell (85%), UNH (83%) and Maine (81%). BC was at 67%, BU at 77% and UConn, because of an official capacity of 9,000 (it might be less when the cover the upper bowl), is 60%. And UNH's percentage is based on a capacity of 6,110. When the Whit opened, I believe the capacity was listed at just over 6,000. When Marty became AD, he had the capacity adjusted to 6,500 or so because, he told me, that is the way they do at Big Ten schools where every person in the building, including spectators and staff was to be included. Now it is 6,110. Maybe there are fewer folks working at the Whit these days? Regardless of all this, to be honest, these figures surprised me since my unsophisticated eyeball test always estimates the attendance lower than what is announced. But even if UNH is fudging the figures a bit, the fact that the program is still in the top 3 or 4 in attendance speaks to the interest in the Seacoast area for UNH Hockey.

That brings me to the missed opportunity department. 1932, you say that the marketing department does their best but, honestly, I beg to differ. While UNH routinely has youth hockey teams skate for 10 minutes between periods, I think that they could do more. When UNH plays at BC during semester break, I am always amazed at how many young kids are at the games. Turns out that BC promotes discounted tickets at times that the students are off campus and, ironically, these games usually produce some of the highest attendance figures of the year for BC. UNH should follow suit for two reasons. First you fill the seats and make more in concessions (these kids eat a lot of junk) and, second, you're building fan loyalty for the next generation.

I will not go on as Chuck has about how UNH is missing the mark by never promoting the program in the far reaches of the state but it's never too late to try. Years ago I talked to Umile about the idea of UNH conducting a few practices during the season in other parts of the state, maybe Manchester, Concord, Nashua to, you know, promote the team statewide. This is something Shawn Walsh did when he first got to Maine but, no surprise, the coach had no interest. I can understand that, he's focused on the team not the marketing. But wouldn't that be a great idea to follow through on?

BTW Chuck, we had a North Country version of the Beanpot - UNH, Maine, UVM, Lowell (the Governors Cup) for a few years before it faded. We also had the Blue/Green tournament, co-hosted by UNH and Dartmouth for several years, that faded as well. Priorities change over the years. I know Umile wanted to get away from playing Dartmouth during the holidays because he had his eyes on the bigger tournaments out west - GLI, Badger Showdown, etc. From what I gather, he now has less interest in doing that sort of thing. Since we are playing Maine twice the week between Christmas and New Years, maybe we can figure away to play somebody else during that time. Might be something Souza looks at once he takes over.

Excellent post, Greg. I'm just going to cherry-pick a few points for comments, elaboration, etc.

* The "changing capacity of the Whitt" was one of BS35+3 *brightest* moments. I remember that well. Funny how when attendance falls, all of those "extras" suddenly disappear against the capacity number? Right up there with changing the playlist to carve out all the allegedly *offensive* songs, and then telling the band to play over (and the PA guy to rush through) the visitor's intros to save them from the withering "you $u@&" chant (oh, the horror ). Listen folks, I know I can be an insufferable gasbag at times, but there is no one - and I mean NO ONE - who takes a remotely close second place behind BS35+3 in the UNH Gasbag Sweepstakes (sorry, 'dc ).

* BC discount ticket promotions to youth programs, timed for semester breaks. Hardly rocket science, and pretty logical common sense driven approach. But our genius across the street has been occupied by more pressing matters, such as hardcore subversive/insensitive chants, and those *offensive* songs ... it's always good to know our guy has his priorities straight (happy now, 'dc?).

* I vividly remember Governor's Cup in the late '90's, and took the kids to a couple of them. I think the practical problem there was 3 of the participating teams at the time were HE teams (nowadays all 4 would be) so there would be extra NC games in the mix against HE foes. The schools (barring UNH and Lowell) were far removed from each other, and I believe the tourney format called for rotating home sites (IIRC I don't think they ever completed the full 4 site rotation?). An in-state "Riverstone" annually hosted at Manchester would not be dragged down by the overfamiliarity of the opposition like GC was, since the two D-1 teams (and then the lower division participants) would all be from difference conferences. The NH-based teams would be able to treat Manchester like a neutral site, just like the Garden works for the BP. Pretty much all of the schools would be within an hour of the site (MUCH closer if St. A's or SNHU participated). I'm not sure if there are restrictions for D-1 teams playing D-2/D-3 programs - other than PWR implications - but I'd LOVE to see this all happen.

* Agreed it will be fascinating to see which ways Souza decides to break away from his mentor's vision of the program - both on the ice and out in the community. That might be the most exciting, underplayed aspect of the coming changes.

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

College Hockey: UNH, Dartmouth back at it:

http://www.unionleader.com/article/20151211/SPORTS22/151219844

...sophomore defenseman Cameron Marks (knee) and senior forward Collin MacDonald (shoulder) will not play, and sophomore defenseman Dylan Maller (shoulder) and freshman forward Chris Miller (shoulder) are questionable... goaltender Adam Clark will have shoulder surgery in January and is out for season.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

College Hockey: UNH, Dartmouth back at it:

http://www.unionleader.com/article/20151211/SPORTS22/151219844

...sophomore defenseman Cameron Marks (knee) and senior forward Collin MacDonald (shoulder) will not play, and sophomore defenseman Dylan Maller (shoulder) and freshman forward Chris Miller (shoulder) are questionable... goaltender Adam Clark will have shoulder surgery in January and is out for season.

Well there it is...kind of knew/expected the AC news and it would not be good. Wishing him the best in his recovery! Looking for a great game tonight despite of it all. Beat the Big Greeennnn!!!

 

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

Well there it is...kind of knew/expected the AC news and it would not be good. Wishing him the best in his recovery! Looking for a great game tonight despite of it all. Beat the Big Greeennnn!!!

Agree, an interesting second semester for him, given that he is red-shirting.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

Agree, an interesting second semester for him, given that he is red-shirting.

Has an injury red-shirt now been confirmed for Clark, 'watcher?

Certainly frees up a lot of options, if it's indeed the case ...

 

[Drew S.]

While I generally agree with the tone of your post, just because Chuck doesn't have season tickets doesn't mean that he doesn't have a stake in the game. He's a fan, a much more loyal fan that several I come across in the arena every home game, so I do believe his opinion counts for something. But as a season ticket holder, my biggest complaint these days (and I am not alone on this) is how UNH offers discounted tickets for all available seats. Since you are also a season ticket holder, how do you feel when you sit down in your seat and find out that the guy next to you has picked up tickets for 2/3 the price you are paying? I know UNH has lowered season ticket prices over the years but, frankly, we are still treated as sheep just as we have ever since the Whit opened.

Regarding attendance, I went to the watered down media guide that the UNH issues now and found that that the top four Hockey East schools in terms of total attendance in all games were UConn, BC, Lowell, and UNH. As percentage of capacity, it was UVM (93%), Lowell (85%), UNH (83%) and Maine (81%). BC was at 67%, BU at 77% and UConn, because of an official capacity of 9,000 (it might be less when the cover the upper bowl), is 60%. And UNH's percentage is based on a capacity of 6,110. When the Whit opened, I believe the capacity was listed at just over 6,000. When Marty became AD, he had the capacity adjusted to 6,500 or so because, he told me, that is the way they do at Big Ten schools where every person in the building, including spectators and staff was to be included. Now it is 6,110. Maybe there are fewer folks working at the Whit these days? Regardless of all this, to be honest, these figures surprised me since my unsophisticated eyeball test always estimates the attendance lower than what is announced. But even if UNH is fudging the figures a bit, the fact that the program is still in the top 3 or 4 in attendance speaks to the interest in the Seacoast area for UNH Hockey.

That brings me to the missed opportunity department. 1932, you say that the marketing department does their best but, honestly, I beg to differ. While UNH routinely has youth hockey teams skate for 10 minutes between periods, I think that they could do more. When UNH plays at BC during semester break, I am always amazed at how many young kids are at the games. Turns out that BC promotes discounted tickets at times that the students are off campus and, ironically, these games usually produce some of the highest attendance figures of the year for BC. UNH should follow suit for two reasons. First you fill the seats and make more in concessions (these kids eat a lot of junk) and, second, you're building fan loyalty for the next generation.

I will not go on as Chuck has about how UNH is missing the mark by never promoting the program in the far reaches of the state but it's never too late to try. Years ago I talked to Umile about the idea of UNH conducting a few practices during the season in other parts of the state, maybe Manchester, Concord, Nashua to, you know, promote the team statewide. This is something Shawn Walsh did when he first got to Maine but, no surprise, the coach had no interest. I can understand that, he's focused on the team not the marketing. But wouldn't that be a great idea to follow through on?

BTW Chuck, we had a North Country version of the Beanpot - UNH, Maine, UVM, Lowell (the Governors Cup) for a few years before it faded. We also had the Blue/Green tournament, co-hosted by UNH and Dartmouth for several years, that faded as well. Priorities change over the years. I know Umile wanted to get away from playing Dartmouth during the holidays because he had his eyes on the bigger tournaments out west - GLI, Badger Showdown, etc. From what I gather, he now has less interest in doing that sort of thing. Since we are playing Maine twice the week between Christmas and New Years, maybe we can figure away to play somebody else during that time. Might be something Souza looks at once he takes over.

Maine's numbers are bogus. About 10 years the idiot AD (we've had more than one) at the time decided to start reporting tickets 'sold' as attendance so the numbers meaningless. I would guess over the last five years Maine probably averages somewhere around 60%. They've played conference games where it was maybe 40% full.

I thought the atmosphere Saturday, at least by modern day standards, was pretty good. I still contend close to $40 is too much for a regular season college hockey game but I guess the place was pretty close to full. UNH should definitely try to get more students in so the place looks more full and maybe more people would be motivated to buy season tickets.

 

[HockeyRef]

Has an injury red-shirt now been confirmed for Clark, 'watcher?

Certainly frees up a lot of options, if it's indeed the case ...

Chuck can you explain what those options might entail thanks...

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

Maine's numbers are bogus. About 10 years the idiot AD (we've had more than one) at the time decided to start reporting tickets 'sold' as attendance so the numbers meaningless. I would guess over the last five years Maine probably averages somewhere around 60%. They've played conference games where it was maybe 40% full.

I thought the atmosphere Saturday, at least by modern day standards, was pretty good. I still contend close to $40 is too much for a regular season college hockey game but I guess the place was pretty close to full. UNH should definitely try to get more students in so the place looks more full and maybe more people would be motivated to buy season tickets.

$40 for a ticket to Alfond? I did not pay nearly that much last Friday night.

As for the Whitt, back in the day, students filled up both ends of the place, but when their numbers dropped way off, the far end was opened up to the public. I do not see the student numbers ever increasing to the levels of the late 90s - early 00s, as there is simply too much other stuff for students to do now other than attend hockey games, such as keeping up one's FB profile, etc.

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

Chuck can you explain what those options might entail thanks...

Likelihood of transfer, I think.

 

[Drew S.]

$40 for a ticket to Alfond? I did not pay nearly that much last Friday night.

As for the Whitt, back in the day, students filled up both ends of the place, but when their numbers dropped way off, the far end was opened up to the public. I do not see the student numbers ever increasing to the levels of the late 90s - early 00s, as there is simply too much other stuff for students to do now other than attend hockey games, such as keeping up one's FB profile, etc.

$40 for the Whitt. I hadn't thought of this but the ticket I had Saturday night at the Whitt actually would have cost $50 at the Alfond.

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

Has an injury red-shirt now been confirmed for Clark, 'watcher?

Certainly frees up a lot of options, if it's indeed the case ...

He played just 7 periods this year, well under the medical red-shirt threshold. All he has to do to red-shirt is apply - which he undoubtedly will either at UNH or another school. I haven't heard anything about Clark even considering a transfer. He may, but he seems to like it a lot at UNH. Who knows...

I'd have to double check the NCAA rule book, but I'm not sure a medical red-shirt this season would change anything were he to transfer. As far as I know, the transfer rule specifically states a 'year in residence' and not simply a red-shirt season...

 

[d.gerry]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

Sorry if I missed something... but why the talk of Clark considering a transfer?

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

$40 for the Whitt. I hadn't thought of this but the ticket I had Saturday night at the Whitt actually would have cost $50 at the Alfond.

What kind of tickets are these? I have never come close to paying $40 for a ticket at the Whitt either. I grit my teeth when I buy exorbitantly overpriced HEA tourney tickets, which of course pale by comparison to the overpriced beer at the Gahden (Kaching, Kaching, Jacobs family).

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

Sorry if I missed something... but why the talk of Clark considering a transfer?

Speculation that came up earlier, even if he had not been hurt, given another NHL-drafted goalie coming in next season.

 

[Dan]

Sorry if I missed something... but why the talk of Clark considering a transfer?

It's just speculation from a few folks based on lack of PT. Not sure there is anything to it, but nothing surprises me anymore...

Before the injury he had earned the #1 job - and if he was healthy enough to play he'd likely still be the guy. So, while the injury is a set back, he probably feels ok about his role at this stage...??

I doubt any of the goalies are looking ahead and concerned about the competition for next year. That's our job!

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

And, here is an article that might amuse.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...fe33e3288_story.html?wpmm=1&wpisrc=nl_evening

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

It's just speculation from a few folks based on lack of PT. Not sure there is anything to it, but nothing surprises me anymore...

Before the injury he had earned the #1 job - and if he was healthy enough to play he'd likely still be the guy. So, while the injury is a set back, he probably feels ok about his role at this stage...??

I doubt any of the goalies are looking ahead and concerned about the competition for next year. That's our job!

Fair assessment of the speculative nature of some posters' (including mine) thinking on this topic. Nothing concrete, mind you, but it's rare when any D-1 program can claim to have 3 non-emergency goalies concurrently.

BTW I'm not sure I agree with your assessment of the part in bold, Dan. From Coach Umile's quotes, it seemed like while he was turning to Clark for some starts (just before his injury) more to allow Tirone to clear his head. I don't think there was any long-term plan to have Clark eclipsing Tirone. The furthest Coach Umile would comment on the issue was basically "(Clark) will definitely play again", which to me at least sounded like he'd felt Clark deserved more consideration than he was given post-Tirone during last season's stretch run.

But I never got the impression Clark had become #1 or "the guy" in goal - at least not in the mind of the only person who counts. Who knows what that means going forward? But having 3 seasons (or slightly less?) to offer another program does make Clark a potentially more compelling transfer candidate than if he'd only had 2 years to offer eligibility-wise (HR I think that answers your question?), and it certainly gives him a window of time (starting now) to explore some of those options ... IF he is so inclined.

Ultimately ... if Clark - who (1) started off his UNH career unexpectedly as the #1 in the aftermath of the CDS incident, (2) has in the minds of many (most?) UNH fans since slipped down to a clear #2 with the arrival of Tirone, and (3) realistically would be looking at the #3 job (with the arrival of NHL draftee Robinson) for at least his next 2 seasons at UNH - is happy to nevertheless stick around and either accept the #3 job or compete for the #2 job (tops), then more power to him. But it's a very unusual scenario - basically it's a reversed-from-normal developmental curve - so it's really not baseless speculation. It's just putting yourself in Clark's skates and trying to project what he might be thinking.

Likewise, I've raised similar questions about Coach Stewart's long-term role with the UNH program in the light of the apparent ascension of Coach Souza as the successor-in-waiting, which sees the latter "jump" over the former, despite the former having more experience in the current job AND in the D-1 hockey world in general. Maybe Stewart is cool with being a long-term assistant behind Souza (assuming Souza would want to keep him on after Umile retires)? But as we've seen most recently ... even when we've been told and/or assumed that an assistant has no HC aspirations, that's not always the case (see Borek, Scott and some interesting recent posts on board). If you're a coaching "lifer" ... most of the time (90%?), you aspire to the top job. Whether you get it or not is another issue entirely. If Stewart is one of those 90%, then hanging around past this season and next may not be part of your career plan? There are not too many Grant Standbrooks out there who thrive in the #2 role, and pass up the chance to be HC at some point.

But you are right - this is our job to speculate, and we need to protect our phoney-baloney jobs!!

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

Fair assessment of the speculative nature of some posters' (including mine) thinking on this topic. Nothing concrete, mind you, but it's rare when any D-1 program can claim to have 3 non-emergency goalies concurrently.

BTW I'm not sure I agree with your assessment of the part in bold, Dan. From Coach Umile's quotes, it seemed like while he was turning to Clark for some starts (just before his injury) more to allow Tirone to clear his head. I don't think there was any long-term plan to have Clark eclipsing Tirone. The furthest Coach Umile would comment on the issue was basically "(Clark) will definitely play again", which to me at least sounded like he'd felt Clark deserved more consideration than he was given post-Tirone during last season's stretch run.

You may be right. However, with Tirone's poor play (and continued poor play) Clark had seized two starts in a row and likely would have started the first game out in Michigan. Now, I am basing my opinion on the fact that, while Tirone may have been the #1 in Umile's plans he would make the adjustment if Clark continued to play at that high level. Meaning that once Clark got to the top of the mountain top, he (and his play) controlled his own destiny as far as remaining the lead netminder.

Of course, the old puck coach has fooled me in this regard before...

 

[Dan]

The minute I saw we had a 4-0 lead I flashed back to that 9-8 game a few years back. here we go again...

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2015-2016 (Part Two) - Managing Decreasing Expectations

Were some of the UNH goals amidst line changes, as UNH forwards on ice for the goals appear to be odd?