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UNH Wildcats 2015 Offseason - Future Planning ...or Just Rearranging the Deck Chairs?
- Thread starter Chuck Murray
- Start date
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015 Offseason - Future Planning ...or Just Rearranging the Deck Cha
Do we really know what Souza was told? In reading through the quoted passage in my last post, even Souza's description of what he was "sort of" told really never goes beyond having the aforementioned "opportunity". But having said that ... with the various hedges and contingencies apparently given to Souza, would it be shocking to you if we found out Stewart was told the same thing last year? I'm 100% positive the idea that Coach Umile's time at UNH was coming to a close would have been a HUGE factor for both coaches to decide to come back to Durham.
I know Al Pike's article was headlined "Heir Apparent", but if I was his editor - with that story on my desk - I would have added a question mark to the end of the headline. But that's just me. Anyway ...
I think the highlighted part is the crucial question - is he here and happy as an assistant OR does he still harbor hopes of a HC job at this level? Let's look at the profiles of the three guys who would have been the logical "heir apparents" over the last year or so ...
* Borek - in his mid 50's, basically has been coaching D-1 hockey for most of the last 30 years. First 10 years as an assistant, then a six year stint as HC at Lake State in the post-Jeff Jackson *dynasty* era, and then the last dozen or so years at UNH where he probably had some opportunities at other D-1 HC jobs at some point and bypassed them. So now he's pretty much locked in as a D-1 assistant "lifer" with a last bold move to Providence. At some point, it's hard not to think there was some discussion between Umile and Borek (with OR without Scarano, or with Umile as a go-between) about Umile's long-range retirement plans, and whether Borek would be considered for the "opportunity" (that word again!) if/when the time arrived. Maybe that discussion took place years ago ... or maybe it took place a couple of months ago? The idea that he popped up in PC, and Souza arrived at UNH within days/weeks seems more than coincidence.
* Stewart - in his mid 40's, and has been a D-1 assistant for 12 years now - 6 of those years in Hockey East. I believe he is 8 years older than Souza, and had five (5) years into Merrimack - during a time when Merrimack was enjoying its best years in the program's history - when he returned to UNH. As a player, he put most of a decade into the low minors as an undrafted player, whereas Souza was drafted and spent most of his North American pro career at the AHL level before heading off for Europe. But to say UNH was a "step up" from Merrimack - while arguably true due to his alum status, then that would go double for Souza, who only had two years (1 HE) into UConn, no?
Souza - in his late 30's, and has been a D-1 assistant coach for four (4) years - and say what you will about UConn, but they have not yet experienced the success of Merrimack's teams during Stewart's time with that program. One clear advantage he can claim is that as a player, he experienced hockey at a higher level that Stewart, no question about it. I'm sure that makes a difference in Souza's favor ... but just how much, when guys like Umile, Parker, York, Bazin, Walshy and Leaman seemed to manage without the NHL/AHL pedigree? Maybe Souza is the young guy who is making his chops in the recruiting game, and if so, then I'm the last person on the board to comment on how good he is at that job compared to Stewart or anyone else.
And therein lies the rub. Did Stewart come back to UNH to get himself in line to be Coach Umile's successor, and if he did - was he given any assurances of an "opportunity"? Hard to believe he would have left Merrimack after 5 relatively successful seasons without at least some suggestions he would be in the mix for consideration if/when Umile retires. The idea that he came back for travel reasons sounds pretty lame to me - the distance between North Andover and Durham is not exactly staggering - and it's certainly a closer commute than Melrose to Durham, for pertinent comparison. I think the question will answer itself ... but putting myself in Coach Stewart's shoes, and hearing all of the chatter about a younger, less experienced assistant in recent weeks, I'd be asking some pretty direct pointed questions about my future to my boss(es) already. Unless of course I'd already sorted that out long ago. Time will tell.
I've said before, and I'll say it again at the risk of sounding foolish (a fear I've long ago gotten over
) ... IF UNH gets things turned back around and is competing on a national level over these next three seasons, I don't think Coach Umile is going to walk away so long as he has a legitimate shot at the D-1 title. He's put too much time into the program, and come too close to walk away if he thinks glory is just around the corner. And I have no issue with that whatsoever.
But again, I ask ... IF Souza was offered insights into Coach Umile's future as part of his decision to come back to his alma mater, is it logical to assume Stewart did not have the same questions (and would have been given similar insights) when he was hired last year?
Unless Stewart was incredibly naïve and/or Souza was much more savvy, it's hard to imagine both guys not receiving the same kinds of feedback to their likely questions about their prospects at UNH that led to them changing jobs.
If Stewart simply doesn't have the driving desire to be the UNH Head Coach, and is happy as an assistant, then this may be a non-issue. IF Stewart does have those ambitions, and feels slighted by the apparent "heir apparent" publicity that was given to Souza recently that was not given to him last year ... it's hard to see him sticking around much longer than this season before moving on. JMHO.
Do we really know what Souza was told? In reading through the quoted passage in my last post, even Souza's description of what he was "sort of" told really never goes beyond having the aforementioned "opportunity". But having said that ... with the various hedges and contingencies apparently given to Souza, would it be shocking to you if we found out Stewart was told the same thing last year? I'm 100% positive the idea that Coach Umile's time at UNH was coming to a close would have been a HUGE factor for both coaches to decide to come back to Durham.
I know Al Pike's article was headlined "Heir Apparent", but if I was his editor - with that story on my desk - I would have added a question mark to the end of the headline. But that's just me. Anyway ...
I think the highlighted part is the crucial question - is he here and happy as an assistant OR does he still harbor hopes of a HC job at this level? Let's look at the profiles of the three guys who would have been the logical "heir apparents" over the last year or so ...
* Borek - in his mid 50's, basically has been coaching D-1 hockey for most of the last 30 years. First 10 years as an assistant, then a six year stint as HC at Lake State in the post-Jeff Jackson *dynasty* era, and then the last dozen or so years at UNH where he probably had some opportunities at other D-1 HC jobs at some point and bypassed them. So now he's pretty much locked in as a D-1 assistant "lifer" with a last bold move to Providence. At some point, it's hard not to think there was some discussion between Umile and Borek (with OR without Scarano, or with Umile as a go-between) about Umile's long-range retirement plans, and whether Borek would be considered for the "opportunity" (that word again!) if/when the time arrived. Maybe that discussion took place years ago ... or maybe it took place a couple of months ago? The idea that he popped up in PC, and Souza arrived at UNH within days/weeks seems more than coincidence.
* Stewart - in his mid 40's, and has been a D-1 assistant for 12 years now - 6 of those years in Hockey East. I believe he is 8 years older than Souza, and had five (5) years into Merrimack - during a time when Merrimack was enjoying its best years in the program's history - when he returned to UNH. As a player, he put most of a decade into the low minors as an undrafted player, whereas Souza was drafted and spent most of his North American pro career at the AHL level before heading off for Europe. But to say UNH was a "step up" from Merrimack - while arguably true due to his alum status, then that would go double for Souza, who only had two years (1 HE) into UConn, no?
Souza - in his late 30's, and has been a D-1 assistant coach for four (4) years - and say what you will about UConn, but they have not yet experienced the success of Merrimack's teams during Stewart's time with that program. One clear advantage he can claim is that as a player, he experienced hockey at a higher level that Stewart, no question about it. I'm sure that makes a difference in Souza's favor ... but just how much, when guys like Umile, Parker, York, Bazin, Walshy and Leaman seemed to manage without the NHL/AHL pedigree? Maybe Souza is the young guy who is making his chops in the recruiting game, and if so, then I'm the last person on the board to comment on how good he is at that job compared to Stewart or anyone else.
And therein lies the rub. Did Stewart come back to UNH to get himself in line to be Coach Umile's successor, and if he did - was he given any assurances of an "opportunity"? Hard to believe he would have left Merrimack after 5 relatively successful seasons without at least some suggestions he would be in the mix for consideration if/when Umile retires. The idea that he came back for travel reasons sounds pretty lame to me - the distance between North Andover and Durham is not exactly staggering - and it's certainly a closer commute than Melrose to Durham, for pertinent comparison. I think the question will answer itself ... but putting myself in Coach Stewart's shoes, and hearing all of the chatter about a younger, less experienced assistant in recent weeks, I'd be asking some pretty direct pointed questions about my future to my boss(es) already. Unless of course I'd already sorted that out long ago. Time will tell.
I've said before, and I'll say it again at the risk of sounding foolish (a fear I've long ago gotten over
) ... IF UNH gets things turned back around and is competing on a national level over these next three seasons, I don't think Coach Umile is going to walk away so long as he has a legitimate shot at the D-1 title. He's put too much time into the program, and come too close to walk away if he thinks glory is just around the corner. And I have no issue with that whatsoever.But again, I ask ... IF Souza was offered insights into Coach Umile's future as part of his decision to come back to his alma mater, is it logical to assume Stewart did not have the same questions (and would have been given similar insights) when he was hired last year?
Unless Stewart was incredibly naïve and/or Souza was much more savvy, it's hard to imagine both guys not receiving the same kinds of feedback to their likely questions about their prospects at UNH that led to them changing jobs.
If Stewart simply doesn't have the driving desire to be the UNH Head Coach, and is happy as an assistant, then this may be a non-issue. IF Stewart does have those ambitions, and feels slighted by the apparent "heir apparent" publicity that was given to Souza recently that was not given to him last year ... it's hard to see him sticking around much longer than this season before moving on. JMHO.
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015 Offseason - Future Planning ...or Just Rearranging the Deck Cha
No kidding.
What I'd give for Al Pike to seek out Coach Stewart to discuss his thoughts on the future of UNH Hockey. Or maybe that hard-hitting ESPN Henniker guy can take Al off the hook (I'm sure BS35+2 would kneecap Pike if he stirred up any crap).
Given that I don't have any press credentials to put at risk, I'd be happy to step in for those guys if need be.
No kidding.
What I'd give for Al Pike to seek out Coach Stewart to discuss his thoughts on the future of UNH Hockey. Or maybe that hard-hitting ESPN Henniker guy can take Al off the hook (I'm sure BS35+2 would kneecap Pike if he stirred up any crap).Given that I don't have any press credentials to put at risk, I'd be happy to step in for those guys if need be.
No kidding.
Given that I don't have any press credentials to put at risk, I'd be happy to step in for those guys if need be.
What? I thought that your radio show with Felger was a done deal, Chuck!?
My brother and I stayed in the same motel as Al Pike about five miles out of town at the St Paul Frozen Four, and we both found him very guarded about his opinions and reporting.
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HockeyRef
Well-known member
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015 Offseason - Future Planning ...or Just Rearranging the Deck Cha
OK Chuck so I finally read the article. Rather than post your response I'll just say that I think Souza is saying that he'd ONLY go back to UConn if he had the same "deal" in place. I think it's pretty obvious...that he's next in line. I mean, why would they even go that far in the article? And, btw, and no, this isn't your fault Chuck, that is a terrible pic of coach! If all works out and nothing happens to any of our present guys (players) we have a chance to do some good things in the next couple at least. And we'll see what Souza and Stewart bring in with the recruiting...Think / hope these 3 guys stay together and we get back to winning some big ones...maybe even...THE big one! hey it could happen...
OK Chuck so I finally read the article. Rather than post your response I'll just say that I think Souza is saying that he'd ONLY go back to UConn if he had the same "deal" in place. I think it's pretty obvious...that he's next in line. I mean, why would they even go that far in the article? And, btw, and no, this isn't your fault Chuck, that is a terrible pic of coach!
If all works out and nothing happens to any of our present guys (players) we have a chance to do some good things in the next couple at least. And we'll see what Souza and Stewart bring in with the recruiting...Think / hope these 3 guys stay together and we get back to winning some big ones...maybe even...THE big one! hey it could happen...
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NCAA watcher
Registered User
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015 Offseason - Future Planning ...or Just Rearranging the Deck Cha
Posted Aug. 24, 2015 at 7:21 AM
DURHAM — Dick Umile, the University of New Hampshire men's hockey coach, is the highest paid coach in the University System of New Hampshire and earns more than the highest paid state official.
According to the University System of New Hampshire annual salary schedule, Umile earned $242,780 in 2014. He is the eleventh highest paid USNH employee. UNH President Mark Huddleston, who earned $385,000 last year, is ranked first.
Umile earns more than any other coach employed by USNH, with UNH football head coach Sean McDonnell earning $223,860 a year. UNH men’s basketball head coach William Herrion earned $155,390 and UNH women’s basketball head coach Maureen Magarity earned $135,000. Umile also earned more than UNH’s Athletic Director Marty Scarano, who collected a $206,000 salary last year.
Umile earns more than the top-paid state employee, Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court Linda Dalianis, who earned $155,518 last year. Umile also brought in more than Gov. Maggie Hasson, who earned $110,719 last year, Secretary of State William Gardner, who earned $107,237, and Attorney General Joe Foster, who earned $119,335.
http://www.fosters.com/article/20150824/NEWS/150829720/-1/breaking_ajax
Posted Aug. 24, 2015 at 7:21 AM
DURHAM — Dick Umile, the University of New Hampshire men's hockey coach, is the highest paid coach in the University System of New Hampshire and earns more than the highest paid state official.
According to the University System of New Hampshire annual salary schedule, Umile earned $242,780 in 2014. He is the eleventh highest paid USNH employee. UNH President Mark Huddleston, who earned $385,000 last year, is ranked first.
Umile earns more than any other coach employed by USNH, with UNH football head coach Sean McDonnell earning $223,860 a year. UNH men’s basketball head coach William Herrion earned $155,390 and UNH women’s basketball head coach Maureen Magarity earned $135,000. Umile also earned more than UNH’s Athletic Director Marty Scarano, who collected a $206,000 salary last year.
Umile earns more than the top-paid state employee, Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court Linda Dalianis, who earned $155,518 last year. Umile also brought in more than Gov. Maggie Hasson, who earned $110,719 last year, Secretary of State William Gardner, who earned $107,237, and Attorney General Joe Foster, who earned $119,335.
http://www.fosters.com/article/20150824/NEWS/150829720/-1/breaking_ajax
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015 Offseason - Future Planning ...or Just Rearranging the Deck Cha
I think we ran into some snags with our contract negotiations. Fired my agent, now looking for a new one.
Not unlike a lot of local media types in small markets like ours, he is beholden to a small network of people for his contacts and his info. And if you p!$$ one of them off, your job gets exponentially more difficult. So going with the flow is basically his "job security", but the result readership gets is a lot of puff pieces and not a lot of editorial and/or adverse opinion pieces.
Media doesn't have to stoop to stirring $h!t to do their jobs, but they shouldn't be afraid to ask tough questions once in awhile.
I'm not sure I'm reading Souza's comments the same way as you, HR. He was arguably "elevated" from assistant to associate HC by UConn a few weeks before rumors of him coming back to UNH surfaced. Personally, I think the whole "assistant vs. associate" issue is realistically nothing more than a pay grade issue ... but some have interpreted it as "superior among equals", and our boy Luce Canaan certainly sounded like he was miffed that his recently elevated "associate" was leaving so soon after being elevated. Hence the comments about how magnanimous LC was to "allow" Souza to leave, since he's been given assurances about being the UNH HC in waiting. But the point there is that Souza already had the "associate" tag at UConn, and wanted at least the same at UNH if he were to leave UConn. At least that's my take on it.
Otherwise, I'm not disputing that all signals coming out of Durham strongly suggest Souza is the next guy in line. But he is the second most experienced "associate head coach" on the staff, and again I'm just raising the question as to whether Umile and/or BS35+2 made any representations to Stewart about succession planning and his chances for the top job when he left Merrimack (where he too was an "associate" at the time) to return to UNH? It would seem logical for Stewart to have asked many of the same questions a year ago that Souza likely asked earlier this summer, no? Maybe Stewart didn't ask (naïve?) ... maybe he doesn't care (happy as an assistant, no HC aspirations) ... or maybe he did ask? If the latter - which is not a logical stretch - was he told he'd too have an opportunity?
If it's anything other than "doesn't care", Stewart can't be thrilled at the course of events these last 60 or so days. It's hardly a unique situation where a long-time HC has more than one assistant in line for consideration to be his successor, and from my standpoint, so long as all coaches have a clear understanding of their roles and the goals of the program, it can (and usually does) work out just fine. But in rare situations where an organization lets slip (publicly) its succession plans, it can cause some inner tension. And by putting this stuff out into the public realm, our boy Luce Canaan created an issue that otherwise may not have surfaced. Having said that, if BS35+2 or Umile felt strongly about ignoring the issue, they easily could have told Pike and FDD to avoid the issue in the recent article.
Two examples in pro sports - one past, and one future - come to mind in looking at how others handled the situation. When Scotty Bowman finally stepped down after the Red Wings' 2002 Cup win, he had two long-term assistants (Dave Lewis and Barry Smith) who were in the running, and no one other than GM Ken Holland (and likely the Ilitch family ownership) knew which of the two would get the job in the end (it was given to Lewis in the offseason). And if you look at the New England Patriots, you have Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia in a similar situation for the future - at least as things stand now. And other than Belichick and the Kraft family, nothing really has ever been said publicly about who's going to be next in line in Foxboro (nor frankly is there any need to say anything).
Likewise, I'm not sure anything needed to be said or leaked or floated about UNH's succession plans when they are at least three years out there over the horizon. But they have, and as a result, the elephant in the room (at least for me) is what was said AND what was not said to Coach Stewart when he was hired last summer? I think Stewart's actions going forward will tell that story.
In the meantime, it's still the offseason, but preseason is approaching quickly, and can't get here soon enough so we can talk about real stories, and not be left to speculate about semi-stories like this one ...
I think we ran into some snags with our contract negotiations. Fired my agent, now looking for a new one.
Not unlike a lot of local media types in small markets like ours, he is beholden to a small network of people for his contacts and his info. And if you p!$$ one of them off, your job gets exponentially more difficult. So going with the flow is basically his "job security", but the result readership gets is a lot of puff pieces and not a lot of editorial and/or adverse opinion pieces.
Media doesn't have to stoop to stirring $h!t to do their jobs, but they shouldn't be afraid to ask tough questions once in awhile.
I'm not sure I'm reading Souza's comments the same way as you, HR. He was arguably "elevated" from assistant to associate HC by UConn a few weeks before rumors of him coming back to UNH surfaced. Personally, I think the whole "assistant vs. associate" issue is realistically nothing more than a pay grade issue ... but some have interpreted it as "superior among equals", and our boy Luce Canaan certainly sounded like he was miffed that his recently elevated "associate" was leaving so soon after being elevated. Hence the comments about how magnanimous LC was to "allow" Souza to leave, since he's been given assurances about being the UNH HC in waiting. But the point there is that Souza already had the "associate" tag at UConn, and wanted at least the same at UNH if he were to leave UConn. At least that's my take on it.
Otherwise, I'm not disputing that all signals coming out of Durham strongly suggest Souza is the next guy in line. But he is the second most experienced "associate head coach" on the staff, and again I'm just raising the question as to whether Umile and/or BS35+2 made any representations to Stewart about succession planning and his chances for the top job when he left Merrimack (where he too was an "associate" at the time) to return to UNH? It would seem logical for Stewart to have asked many of the same questions a year ago that Souza likely asked earlier this summer, no? Maybe Stewart didn't ask (naïve?) ... maybe he doesn't care (happy as an assistant, no HC aspirations) ... or maybe he did ask? If the latter - which is not a logical stretch - was he told he'd too have an opportunity?
If it's anything other than "doesn't care", Stewart can't be thrilled at the course of events these last 60 or so days. It's hardly a unique situation where a long-time HC has more than one assistant in line for consideration to be his successor, and from my standpoint, so long as all coaches have a clear understanding of their roles and the goals of the program, it can (and usually does) work out just fine. But in rare situations where an organization lets slip (publicly) its succession plans, it can cause some inner tension. And by putting this stuff out into the public realm, our boy Luce Canaan created an issue that otherwise may not have surfaced. Having said that, if BS35+2 or Umile felt strongly about ignoring the issue, they easily could have told Pike and FDD to avoid the issue in the recent article.
Two examples in pro sports - one past, and one future - come to mind in looking at how others handled the situation. When Scotty Bowman finally stepped down after the Red Wings' 2002 Cup win, he had two long-term assistants (Dave Lewis and Barry Smith) who were in the running, and no one other than GM Ken Holland (and likely the Ilitch family ownership) knew which of the two would get the job in the end (it was given to Lewis in the offseason). And if you look at the New England Patriots, you have Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia in a similar situation for the future - at least as things stand now. And other than Belichick and the Kraft family, nothing really has ever been said publicly about who's going to be next in line in Foxboro (nor frankly is there any need to say anything).
Likewise, I'm not sure anything needed to be said or leaked or floated about UNH's succession plans when they are at least three years out there over the horizon. But they have, and as a result, the elephant in the room (at least for me) is what was said AND what was not said to Coach Stewart when he was hired last summer? I think Stewart's actions going forward will tell that story.
In the meantime, it's still the offseason, but preseason is approaching quickly, and can't get here soon enough so we can talk about real stories, and not be left to speculate about semi-stories like this one ...
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015 Offseason - Future Planning ...or Just Rearranging the Deck Cha
Or, UNH could bring in another UNH alum as head coach when Umile retires, whenever that is, such as Eric Boguniecki, who will be beginning his fifth year as assistant coach with the AHL Bridgeport Sound Tigers. But, as Chuck notes, I do not think that any of this stuff matters unless UNH can continue to turn around their recruiting, avoid any more "de-commits," and get back to being a top-four HEA team.
Or, UNH could bring in another UNH alum as head coach when Umile retires, whenever that is, such as Eric Boguniecki, who will be beginning his fifth year as assistant coach with the AHL Bridgeport Sound Tigers. But, as Chuck notes, I do not think that any of this stuff matters unless UNH can continue to turn around their recruiting, avoid any more "de-commits," and get back to being a top-four HEA team.
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015 Offseason - Future Planning ...or Just Rearranging the Deck Cha
Nick Sorkin gets a rookie try out with the Fla Panthers:
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/flapanthers/
I don't know if that means he's not playing for the Bulldogs this season? Anway, good luck Nick!!
Nick Sorkin gets a rookie try out with the Fla Panthers:
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/flapanthers/
I don't know if that means he's not playing for the Bulldogs this season? Anway, good luck Nick!!
Sounds like Nick will be somewhere else one way or the other this season, as the Bull Dogs are moving from Hamilton to St John's (Newfoundland) to become the AHL Icecaps, with the former Icecaps moving to Winnipeg (not sure of new name there). The new Icecaps (former Bull Dogs) will still be the Canadians' AHA affiliate. At least, this is my understanding.
Now just 44 days.
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015 Offseason - Future Planning ...or Just Rearranging the Deck Cha
Can't wait ... BTW, does it make me a bad person if I do dismiss those <del>putrid</del> *pesky" Yellow Jackets?
Can't wait ... BTW, does it make me a bad person if I do dismiss those <del>putrid</del> *pesky" Yellow Jackets?
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015 Offseason - Future Planning ...or Just Rearranging the Deck Cha
Serino was from Saugus (North Shore League back then), Umile from Wakefield (Middlesex League) so unless it was a tournament game they did not play against each other in high school. However they knew each other way back then because they lived in adjoining towns and rink availability was very scarce. Melrose had the original Hockeytown (not the one on Rte. 1) but it was not regulation and teams wouldn't play there. The only rink close by that was available was the Lynn Arena. In those days high schools played 10 minute periods so the leagues would play two games at once. Game A (10 minutes), Game B (10 minutes), make new ice, then play the second period of each game, make new ice, then play the third. Needless to say the stands were packed.
I will also say that Chris Serino was more than a hockey player. He was an excellent baseball player and was an All American at AIC in that sport as well. Not too shabby as a high school football player either. As was Umile. Years ago I interviewed Umile for some UNH athletic department publication and he told me that his original goal was to play two sports in college, football and hockey, but realized when he got to UNH that it wasn't going to be possible.
Serino was from Saugus (North Shore League back then), Umile from Wakefield (Middlesex League) so unless it was a tournament game they did not play against each other in high school. However they knew each other way back then because they lived in adjoining towns and rink availability was very scarce. Melrose had the original Hockeytown (not the one on Rte. 1) but it was not regulation and teams wouldn't play there. The only rink close by that was available was the Lynn Arena. In those days high schools played 10 minute periods so the leagues would play two games at once. Game A (10 minutes), Game B (10 minutes), make new ice, then play the second period of each game, make new ice, then play the third. Needless to say the stands were packed.
I will also say that Chris Serino was more than a hockey player. He was an excellent baseball player and was an All American at AIC in that sport as well. Not too shabby as a high school football player either. As was Umile. Years ago I interviewed Umile for some UNH athletic department publication and he told me that his original goal was to play two sports in college, football and hockey, but realized when he got to UNH that it wasn't going to be possible.
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015 Offseason - Future Planning ...or Just Rearranging the Deck Cha
I don't recall many athletes at UNH who played both football and hockey. Rod Langway in the 1970s and Joe Bartlett in the 1960s come to mind.
I don't recall many athletes at UNH who played both football and hockey. Rod Langway in the 1970s and Joe Bartlett in the 1960s come to mind.
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015 Offseason - Future Planning ...or Just Rearranging the Deck Cha
One of my work colleagues (since retired) grew up in Saugus and knew the Serino family pretty well. He is pretty sure that Chris was a fixture as a youngster at the Kabuski (sp?) Arena, which is located in Saugus near the Melrose line - right outside the main entrance to Breakheart Reservation (I can only confirm the location; I believe it was an outdoor rink when I was a kid growing up not far away). Given the proximity to Melrose - literally right at the end of the Fellsway - it's likely Serino and Umile first met up there as kids.
UPDATE: I found the following link on recent article on developments at Kasabuski Arena, which dates the rink back to 1960, and has apparently served as the home to Saugus HS Hockey for many years. Not saying the two ever faced off against each other for their respective school teams, but it's certainly a possibility if there was non-conference play? Don't know, so can't say for sure.
http://www.itemlive.com/news/kasabu...cle_f85a4c03-c500-501a-88f0-7e29b3c3f5e3.html
One of my work colleagues (since retired) grew up in Saugus and knew the Serino family pretty well. He is pretty sure that Chris was a fixture as a youngster at the Kabuski (sp?) Arena, which is located in Saugus near the Melrose line - right outside the main entrance to Breakheart Reservation (I can only confirm the location; I believe it was an outdoor rink when I was a kid growing up not far away). Given the proximity to Melrose - literally right at the end of the Fellsway - it's likely Serino and Umile first met up there as kids.
UPDATE: I found the following link on recent article on developments at Kasabuski Arena, which dates the rink back to 1960, and has apparently served as the home to Saugus HS Hockey for many years. Not saying the two ever faced off against each other for their respective school teams, but it's certainly a possibility if there was non-conference play? Don't know, so can't say for sure.
http://www.itemlive.com/news/kasabu...cle_f85a4c03-c500-501a-88f0-7e29b3c3f5e3.html
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015 Offseason - Future Planning ...or Just Rearranging the Deck Cha
Kasabuski was around back in the 60's for sure, but it was an outdoor rink. There was a roof, and they might have had tarps on the sides and ends to ward off the wind, but I am positive that Saugus High didn't play league games there when Serino was in high school. My guess is Kasabuski was enclosed in the early 70's during the Bobby Orr boom. I know that when I was in high school (Lynn Classical. 1965), Saugus played all their games at the Lynn Arena. All the teams in the league did, from Gloucester south to Malden Catholic and Woburn. Wild and wooly days back then, with a lot of good players.
One of my work colleagues (since retired) grew up in Saugus and knew the Serino family pretty well. He is pretty sure that Chris was a fixture as a youngster at the Kabuski (sp?) Arena, which is located in Saugus near the Melrose line - right outside the main entrance to Breakheart Reservation (I can only confirm the location; I believe it was an outdoor rink when I was a kid growing up not far away). Given the proximity to Melrose - literally right at the end of the Fellsway - it's likely Serino and Umile first met up there as kids.
UPDATE: I found the following link on recent article on developments at Kasabuski Arena, which dates the rink back to 1960, and has apparently served as the home to Saugus HS Hockey for many years. Not saying the two ever faced off against each other for their respective school teams, but it's certainly a possibility if there was non-conference play? Don't know, so can't say for sure.
http://www.itemlive.com/news/kasabu...cle_f85a4c03-c500-501a-88f0-7e29b3c3f5e3.html
Kasabuski was around back in the 60's for sure, but it was an outdoor rink. There was a roof, and they might have had tarps on the sides and ends to ward off the wind, but I am positive that Saugus High didn't play league games there when Serino was in high school. My guess is Kasabuski was enclosed in the early 70's during the Bobby Orr boom. I know that when I was in high school (Lynn Classical. 1965), Saugus played all their games at the Lynn Arena. All the teams in the league did, from Gloucester south to Malden Catholic and Woburn. Wild and wooly days back then, with a lot of good players.
Re: UNH Wildcats 2015 Offseason - Future Planning ...or Just Rearranging the Deck Cha
Snively got plenty of tales to tell but, for now, I'll restrict it two guys from Lynn who made it to the NHL. Larry Pleau, who is my age, was an early teen sensation at Lynn English who attracted the notice, of all teams, the Montreal Canadiens. Not sure of his parent's background although he is obviously of French descent. Anyway, after his sophomore year at Lynn English he packed his bags and went off to junior hockey in Quebec. This is back in the days when Canadians in general were pretty skeptical, if not hostile, to American born players. But Larry turned out okay. He played for Montreal for a couple of years, got his name on the Stanley Cup (1971, the year Les Habs upset the Bruins), and had a solid career in the WHA with the Hartford Whalers. He went on to be a respected executive in the NHL, including a stint as GM and President of the St. Louis Blues. His UNH connection is that his son, Steve, played for the Wildcats in the mid-90's and his son-in-law, Tom Nolan, who played at the same time, had the good fortune of marrying his daughter.
A second Lynn English product, Tom Rowe, also made it to the NHL. He was a bit younger than Larry and was in my sister's class (1970), which also included Joe Marsh, who played at BC and UNH and, of course, was the long time and very successful head coach at St. Lawrence. Tom Rowe took more or less the same route as Pleau, leaving English after his sophomore or junior year to head to Canada and play juniors. This was very radical back then since the goal of most of his peers was to play college hockey. But he made it, had a stint with several NHL teams, then became a scout, coach and executive in the Carolina organization. A few years ago he took a head coaching job in the Russian KHL, coaching the team that had lost all its players the prior year in a plane crash. According to his brother, a retired Lynn PD detective who I am friendly with, Tom soured on the situation after a season and came back to the states.
The remarkable thing about both these guys is that, first, they made it to the NHL as American born players when there were hardly any in the league. I remember the Bruins had Tommy Williams in the early 60's but, honestly, I can't think of anybody else in that era. Second, their path to the NHL was not through college, but Canadian Major Junior. Not unusual today but, I would say, revolutionary back in the mid to late 60's.
Just as an aside, two guys from my high school class (Lynn Classical, '65) played D!, Dwight Ware at Harvard, Jim Dakin at BU. Back then the city produced a lot of decent players, enough that both Classical and English fielded tournament worthy teams that included several kids who played in college. Not so today. Youth hockey is still very popular in Lynn but by the time the kids get to middle school, in most cases they either have their eyes set on playing at a private schools (my neighbor's kid just graduated from BB&N and will pay D3 next year) or they give up the sport. Despite the fact that between the two schools there are probably a 1,000 boys, there are so few kids playing public high school hockey now that they have combined the schools for one team playing D3 hockey. Another neighbor's son is the head coach. He is very dedicated, does as good a job as he possibly can, but it can be frustrating. Way of the world I guess.
Excellent! Love this ancient history; please keep it coming.
Snively got plenty of tales to tell but, for now, I'll restrict it two guys from Lynn who made it to the NHL. Larry Pleau, who is my age, was an early teen sensation at Lynn English who attracted the notice, of all teams, the Montreal Canadiens. Not sure of his parent's background although he is obviously of French descent. Anyway, after his sophomore year at Lynn English he packed his bags and went off to junior hockey in Quebec. This is back in the days when Canadians in general were pretty skeptical, if not hostile, to American born players. But Larry turned out okay. He played for Montreal for a couple of years, got his name on the Stanley Cup (1971, the year Les Habs upset the Bruins), and had a solid career in the WHA with the Hartford Whalers. He went on to be a respected executive in the NHL, including a stint as GM and President of the St. Louis Blues. His UNH connection is that his son, Steve, played for the Wildcats in the mid-90's and his son-in-law, Tom Nolan, who played at the same time, had the good fortune of marrying his daughter.
A second Lynn English product, Tom Rowe, also made it to the NHL. He was a bit younger than Larry and was in my sister's class (1970), which also included Joe Marsh, who played at BC and UNH and, of course, was the long time and very successful head coach at St. Lawrence. Tom Rowe took more or less the same route as Pleau, leaving English after his sophomore or junior year to head to Canada and play juniors. This was very radical back then since the goal of most of his peers was to play college hockey. But he made it, had a stint with several NHL teams, then became a scout, coach and executive in the Carolina organization. A few years ago he took a head coaching job in the Russian KHL, coaching the team that had lost all its players the prior year in a plane crash. According to his brother, a retired Lynn PD detective who I am friendly with, Tom soured on the situation after a season and came back to the states.
The remarkable thing about both these guys is that, first, they made it to the NHL as American born players when there were hardly any in the league. I remember the Bruins had Tommy Williams in the early 60's but, honestly, I can't think of anybody else in that era. Second, their path to the NHL was not through college, but Canadian Major Junior. Not unusual today but, I would say, revolutionary back in the mid to late 60's.
Just as an aside, two guys from my high school class (Lynn Classical, '65) played D!, Dwight Ware at Harvard, Jim Dakin at BU. Back then the city produced a lot of decent players, enough that both Classical and English fielded tournament worthy teams that included several kids who played in college. Not so today. Youth hockey is still very popular in Lynn but by the time the kids get to middle school, in most cases they either have their eyes set on playing at a private schools (my neighbor's kid just graduated from BB&N and will pay D3 next year) or they give up the sport. Despite the fact that between the two schools there are probably a 1,000 boys, there are so few kids playing public high school hockey now that they have combined the schools for one team playing D3 hockey. Another neighbor's son is the head coach. He is very dedicated, does as good a job as he possibly can, but it can be frustrating. Way of the world I guess.
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Re: UNH Wildcats 2015 Offseason - Future Planning ...or Just Rearranging the Deck Cha
Great stuff about Lynn, Greg. I remember Larry Pleau on the Canadians, but had forgotten about Tom Rowe. I think that Tommy Williams was the only American-born player in the NHL for a a few years, including some of those years on the BOW line with The Chief and Murray Oliver. A colleague sometimes introduces herself as being from "Lynn, Lynn, the City of Sin." What is origin of that expression?
I do not recall any Durham kids making it to the NHL, although a couple of them played for UNH. I arrived in Waltham just after Jeff Lazaro graduated to play four years at UNH in the late 80s. Those were some bad UNH teams those years, after Charlie Holt retired and Bob Cullen got sick, but Lazaro ended up with a good senior season and 95 career points. He then played parts of three seasons in the NHL, including two with the B's. There must be others from Waltham, but I do not know who the are.
Great stuff about Lynn, Greg. I remember Larry Pleau on the Canadians, but had forgotten about Tom Rowe. I think that Tommy Williams was the only American-born player in the NHL for a a few years, including some of those years on the BOW line with The Chief and Murray Oliver. A colleague sometimes introduces herself as being from "Lynn, Lynn, the City of Sin." What is origin of that expression?
I do not recall any Durham kids making it to the NHL, although a couple of them played for UNH. I arrived in Waltham just after Jeff Lazaro graduated to play four years at UNH in the late 80s. Those were some bad UNH teams those years, after Charlie Holt retired and Bob Cullen got sick, but Lazaro ended up with a good senior season and 95 career points. He then played parts of three seasons in the NHL, including two with the B's. There must be others from Waltham, but I do not know who the are.
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Re: UNH Wildcats 2015 Offseason - Future Planning ...or Just Rearranging the Deck Cha
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=4430
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=4430