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

[e.cat]

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

I lived through Holt's final 84-85 season, where they had top end talent (Steve Leach, James Richmond), but weak depth after that on forward, and five freshmen defensemen: Mark Babcock, Jeff Cournoyer, Kevin Schrader, Mike Roth and Greg Boudreau and a pathetic upperclassman (Peter Wotton).
The next season was Kullen's first, and he continued to suffer as now sophomore D just were not up to par.
By 87-88 he had cut all of them except walk-on Boudreau. Replaced with two NHLers Adrien Plavsic, Kevin Dean, a All-Hockey East kid (Dave McIntire) and a pretty decent local kid from Berwick (Grassie).
They were the foundation that carried Umile to the 1992 HE playoff success.

That's what typically happens with coaching changes and the new guy having free reign, even if he recruited some of them. Given where we are, with many of Borek's good recruits leaving, and many of Borek's weak recruits (I see about four who are likely to be roster fillers) not having options elsewhere, so still "committed," this will be a five to six year rebuild unless there are some harsh decisions made. It would be nice to have the new boss able to make those.

I'm pretty sure Grassie is from Somersworth but did a PG year at Berwick. Your point is well taken though that we are in for some tough sledding ahead! Glad I stayed home and watched football yesterday. The Pats looked great!

PS. What goes on March 17, 2018 other than the obvious St Paddy's day?!

 

[NCAA watcher]

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

PS. What goes on March 17, 2018 other than the obvious St Paddy's day?!

Hockey East Semifinals are done.

 

[bakchk20]

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

I tuned in after the Pats game and observed, once again, what I expected to see. This is probably as bad as it gets...until next weekend. I would swap, in full, UNH's D for Plymouth State's. Don't believe me? Go watch.

Like others, I'm done. Got a stack of season tix on my desk; will be stunned if I use them myself - giveaways. And no, not refreshing them next year...maybe in 4 years.

 

[HockeyRef]

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

I tuned in after the Pats game and observed, once again, what I expected to see. This is probably as bad as it gets...until next weekend. I would swap, in full, UNH's D for Plymouth State's. Don't believe me? Go watch.

Like others, I'm done. Got a stack of season tix on my desk; will be stunned if I use them myself - giveaways. And no, not refreshing them next year...maybe in 4 years.

I am really wanting to get to a PSU game! Being my alma mater it's been years since I've seen them play hockey. Nice new arena, 5.00 gets you in I believe? And they are nationally ranked how cool is that!!! Def going to check out the schedule...Panthers or Bust...

 

[Darius]

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

Good god - they are even worse in person! Those of you who head to the Whitt week after week have my sympathies.

Respect???

Last night was the first home game I've missed this season which is par for me although an easier than normal decision. The NFL divisional round, the first round of the NCAA Division 1 hockey tournament and the NCAA softball WCWS are the three best sports binge watch weekends.

Let's not underestimate NU or our coaches? NU (and others) will win a few against HEA top tier teams. Top tier teams will beat each other. The season isn't over. Not saying we are going to the NCAAs, but let's improve each week, play for first round home ice, ***compete*** and show some @#$ing character. That's a U-N-H not a 7-1-4 sweater you're wearing boys.

 

[skyraider0609]

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

I'm going with one last venting here and then I'm checking out. I've been a lurker as of late here, but here's my .02....Last night was a full workout for the remote between simultaneous games for the Bruins, Celtics, the NFC divisional game, and of course, UNH hockey. For the brief time that I spent watching WBIN, I was struck how pathetic things were at the Whitt. UNH for the second night in a row was getting their a&&es handed to them by NU on the ice, Dickie was scowling behind the bench as usual, but the real sad part was the endless rows of empty seats.

I know I don't go back as far as many posters here. I've been taking my older son to UNH hockey since he was in elementary school and he's now a junior in college, so let's leave it at that. I unfortunately never saw any games at Snively, but I do recall going to packed games at the Whitt back in the early to mid 2000s that were completely sold out mid week. The line to buy tickets for a BC or other big HE game when unsold tickets were put on sale at the box office on Thursday mornings would stretch halfway around the concourse. If you weren't there and in the queue by 7, fuhgeddaboutit. To see where this program is now compared to then, well, it's a bit depressing. I've spent my time railing about the coach and recruiting woes and I've come to realize things will not change any time soon, and as others have pointed out here, this is it for the foreseeable future. I can't justify spending money on an inferior product like this, so my days of going to men's hockey are over for now. My hope is that the program will eventually rebound. The pieces are there for success I believe. UNH is a good academic institution, the Whitt is a nice facility (and who doesn't love a jumbotron!) and the NH Seacoast isn't exactly purgatory either. I think that eventually with a new coach behind the bench, recruiting issues fixed and new life breathed into the program, UNH hockey can be good again.

In the meantime, the football team will continue to be the one program at the University that will continue to do well and be a legit player on the national stage. Coach Mac will see the recruiting benefits of the new stadium, so I'm excited about football's future at UNH. Now, if ND State would only move up to FBS....

I'll continue to follow UNH hockey from a distance until the program is moving in a different direction. If you want to call me a fair weather fan, so be it. I guess we all decide where our energies and money go for leisure. I'm just not able to do this any more.

 

[HockeyRef]

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

Respect???

Last night was the first home game I've missed this season which is par for me although an easier than normal decision. The NFL divisional round, the first round of the NCAA Division 1 hockey tournament and the NCAA softball WCWS are the three best sports binge watch weekends.

Let's not underestimate NU or our coaches? NU (and others) will win a few against HEA top tier teams. Top tier teams will beat each other. The season isn't over. Not saying we are going to the NCAAs, but let's improve each week, play for first round home ice, ***compete*** and show some @#$ing character. That's a U-N-H not a 7-1-4 sweater you're wearing boys.

All excellent points sir...it ain't over yet. Still plenty of hockey left. Funny last night two people helped me put some things in perspective about the game, one was C-H-C and the other, my daughter. She said 'mom you may as well burn the rest of your tickets right now if you can't find positives in going to these games". That kind of hit home for me. Sure I know where we are at and yes I'm not happy etc yada yada yada but I'm in it for the long run hell have to be at this point! We are on a TyK Century Club watch and I plan on making the most of it. Rah!

 

[NCAA watcher]

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

I'll continue to follow UNH hockey from a distance until the program is moving in a different direction.

And therein lies the problem. For 2 and a half more years we are in limbo. So far we have not seen any positive results from the glacial change -- the on ice coaching does not really reflect any stupendous coaching, and recruits Farabee, Ryczek, and players Foegele were not pursuaded that the "new vision" was worth committing to. We also have silence as highly touted 1999s, 2000s and 2001s are committing elsewhere.


On the positive front, validating the "new vision" we have Fregona re-committed, and a nice solid MacAdams. The positive side of me is hopeful that the silence is not a negative thing. However, it would be nice to take the guess work out of it and see some movement suggesting that Souza's message is resonating. I can look past the rebuilding phase if it looks like there is a future developing.

 

[Chuck Murray]

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

On the positive front, validating the "new vision" we have Fregona re-committed, and a nice solid MacAdams. The positive side of me is hopeful that the silence is not a negative thing. However, it would be nice to take the guess work out of it and see some movement suggesting that Souza's message is resonating. I can look past the rebuilding phase if it looks like there is a future developing.

That's where I am right now. And yeah, I'd like to see some evidence the Souza/Stewart team are gaining traction with their recruiting road trips. Assuming their boss is lending his usual level of *support* to their efforts ("Go get 'em boys, just make sure you write down what you've offered them so I can keep track, willya?"), good luck, guys.

p.s. to e.cat - march 18th, 2018 *might* be a week or two after coach umile's last game, at this rate ...

 

[The Zlax45]

I am really wanting to get to a PSU game! Being my alma mater it's been years since I've seen them play hockey. Nice new arena, 5.00 gets you in I believe? And they are nationally ranked how cool is that!!! Def going to check out the schedule...Panthers or Bust...

I have seen a ton of Nichols college this year and the D3 game is fantastic

 

[e.cat]

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

That's where I am right now. And yeah, I'd like to see some evidence the Souza/Stewart team are gaining traction with their recruiting road trips. Assuming their boss is lending his usual level of *support* to their efforts ("Go get 'em boys, just make sure you write down what you've offered them so I can keep track, willya?"), good luck, guys.

p.s. to e.cat - march 18th, 2018 *might* be a week or two after coach umile's last game, at this rate ...

Thanks for that Chuck. I knew there was more to the story than just the HEA semis. It's going to be a long two years! Isn't DU the highest paid state employee in NH? I guess Greg A would say he has earned the right to collect his paycheck and coast into retirement over the next two years, but I'm not so sure about that at this point. If DU is resigned to the fact that the gig is up and MS is the assured heir apparent then maybe he should consider riding off into the sunset sooner rather than later. Just sayin'! The only reason he is hanging on at this point is to win an NC (which is not going to happen!) before leaving. If that is the case, it is for personal reasons and nothing else. Holt was a great coach, obviously, who hung on too long. DU seems to be falling into the same trap as Watcher has intimated!

 

[Felger]

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

Thanks for that Chuck. I knew there was more to the story than just the HEA semis. It's going to be a long two years! Isn't DU the highest paid state employee in NH? I guess Greg A would say he has earned the right to collect his paycheck and coast into retirement over the next two years, but I'm not so sure about that at this point. If DU is resigned to the fact that the gig is up and MS is the assured heir apparent then maybe he should consider riding off into the sunset sooner rather than later. Just sayin'! The only reason he is hanging on at this point is to win an NC (which is not going to happen!) before leaving. If that is the case, it is for personal reasons and nothing else. Holt was a great coach, obviously, who hung on too long. DU seems to be falling into the same trap as Watcher has intimated!

Coach Mac has a higher salary than Coach Umile

 

[NCAA watcher]

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

The only reason he is hanging on at this point is to win an NC (which is not going to happen!) before leaving. If that is the case, it is for personal reasons and nothing else.

600 wins. You think it's a coincidence that he is 40 short, the team is just below 20 wins per season, soooo you do the math. Throw in a schedule with a bunch of tomato can wins, and there's your three years.

 

[Snively65]

Coach Mac has a higher salary than Coach Umile

And, several others now, including Huddleston, I think.

 

[Snively65]

600 wins. You think it's a coincidence that he is 40 short, the team is just below 20 wins per season, soooo you do the math. Throw in a schedule with a bunch of tomato can wins, and there's your three years.

May not get there now, at 10-12 wins per season?

 

[Snively65]

And therein lies the problem. For 2 and a half more years we are in limbo. So far we have not seen any positive results from the glacial change -- the on ice coaching does not really reflect any stupendous coaching, and recruits Farabee, Ryczek, and players Foegele were not pursuaded that the "new vision" was worth committing to. We also have silence as highly touted 1999s, 2000s and 2001s are committing elsewhere.


On the positive front, validating the "new vision" we have Fregona re-committed, and a nice solid MacAdams. The positive side of me is hopeful that the silence is not a negative thing. However, it would be nice to take the guess work out of it and see some movement suggesting that Souza's message is resonating. I can look past the rebuilding phase if it looks like there is a future developing.

I still think that next season is our best shot to make the NCAAs, IF Poturalski stays.

 

[Snively65]

I am really wanting to get to a PSU game! Being my alma mater it's been years since I've seen them play hockey. Nice new arena, 5.00 gets you in I believe? And they are nationally ranked how cool is that!!! Def going to check out the schedule...Panthers or Bust...

Folks earlier on this thread were laughing about a NH "beanpot" tournament with UNH, Dartmouth, St A's, and PSU. Maybe not any longer? PSU is 12-3. Their new venue in Plymouth only seats 1200, but is essentially on campus, and not half empty like Lake Whitt these days; their former rink in Waterville Valley did not have much seating.

 

[Chuck Murray]

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

I still think that next season is our best shot to make the NCAAs, IF Poturalski stays.

This team isn't going to make the NCAA's next season- regardless of whether Poturalski stays or goes - unless and until they add a pair of mobile puck moving defensemen AND sprout a consistently contributing second (and hopefully third) forward line. As predicted by Dan (and others), the good teams have figured out how to contain him and Kelleher. That's not going to get better anytime soon without the development of the Velas and Eisermans of the world.

They could bring back BOTH van Riemsdyk brothers, add incoming BvR and the other recruits to the current cast set to return next season, and that still probably wouldn't be enough.

Hate to be the wet blanket on all of today's positivity, but a 10-4 weekend sweep to NU will do that.

 

[Chuck Murray]

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

Folks earlier on this thread were laughing about a NH "beanpot" tournament with UNH, Dartmouth, St A's, and PSU. Maybe not any longer? PSU is 12-3. Their new venue in Plymouth only seats 1200, but is essentially on campus, and not half empty like Lake Whitt these days; their former rink in Waterville Valley did not have much seating.

I'm not laughing, I'm all in favor. It would be the best thing to ever happen to NH college hockey.

 

[Snively65]

This team isn't going to make the NCAA's next season- regardless of whether Poturalski stays or goes - unless and until they add a pair of mobile puck moving defensemen AND sprout a consistently contributing second (and hopefully third) forward line. As predicted by Dan (and others), the good teams have figured out how to contain him and Kelleher. That's not going to get better anytime soon without the development of the Velas and Eisermans of the world.

They could bring back BOTH van Riemsdyk brothers, add incoming BvR and the other recruits to the current cast set to return next season, and that still probably wouldn't be enough.

Hate to be the wet blanket on all of today's positivity, but a 10-4 weekend sweep to NU will do that.

I think that BvR and other incoming freshmen should provide better second and third line depth than the outgoing seniors, Corealle and Gaudreault notwithstanding. Nazarian and Vela have had better seasons than all recent freshmen other than Kelleher and Poturalski. And, Robinson should shore up the net tending. I agree that we will still need a couple of puck-moving D-men to join Cleland and Dawson; all other D-men have not developed and have been big disappointments.