Question for you long timers out there:
Where would you rank that guy who just made the San Jose Sharks selection on the all time list of Wildcat blueliners?
I never saw Tim Burke play live in person at UNH - only a few times on my grainy Channel 11 feed down in Greg Ambrose territory - but he was the "other" guy during the all-too-brief Langway era, and a four year starter IIRC in the midst of a great run during the apex of the Charlie Holt era. I think any realistic discussion and assessment of all-time UNH defensemen would have to include him in the Top Ten. In looking up his profile, I was surprised to note he was also from our current iconic coach's hometown. But to be clear, he is not pie zahn ...![]()
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Sorry, been away for awhile, more pressing things on my mind. But in no particular order:
Jerry York indeed has a short shelf life as coach. He's 71, has that detached retina problem and, if you didn't notice, they failed to make the tournament last year. He will retire, sooner rather than later and will be replaced by Greg Brown. It will be Brown because BC has a new AD that they brought in from Ohio State who has zero knowledge of what it takes to be an NCAA coach. Ergo Brown.
Where does that leave Michael Ayers. Well I guess he could continue at BC, maybe as an elevated associate head coach with a raise in pay. And whatever the pay is, it will be certainly more than what UNH would pay. It would be nice if he came to Durham but, as somebody mentioned, why would he disrupt his young family, leave Hingham, and come to the Seacoast for lower pay?
On to UNH. I wasn't surprised that TVR was exposed in the expansion draft, but I was surprised when Vegas flipped him to Carolina. My first thought, obviously, was that he would be playing with Pesce, perhaps paired with him. It got my mind to thinking when the last time two UNHers were on the same NHL team and actually skated together. My guess is back in the 80s when Peter Douris, Steve Leach, and Bruce Crowder were all on the Bruins. I don't have the answer. Maybe somebody does.
The current Wildcats? What can you say. No one at the University really cares anymore. There is no historical perspective. It's like the first 50 years of UNH D1 hockey never existed. Just one tiny example. When UNH sent out the blurb to season ticket holders, one thing they mentioned was that they were bringing back the pre-season barbecue which, they said, they had started a few years ago. Really? The Friends first had a barbecue,,they called it the Face Off Feed, back in the late seventies. I remember going to one at Boyd Broadhead's place in Lee where my wife and I munched on chicken with Gordie Clark and his family. The people who founded the Friends, those who had a large hand in sustaining UNH for a lot of years, would puke if they read this missive from UNH Athletics. The biggest problem at UNH is the lack of institutional memory, something that starts with Marty and runs all the way down. I will still go, but I have been sapped of my enthusiasm.
The Sox retired Big Papi's number tonight. Greatest Red Sox ever. Go Sox!
Daniel Winnick and JvR with the Maple Leafs I think that's correct...(Wildcats who have played together in the NHL/same team)
And, Trevor Smith, who played 54 games with the Leafs in 2014-2015, along with JvR's 82 and Winnik's 58 games before Dan was shipped to the Pens (hence my earlier quip about "UNH North"). And, at the risk of some old-timers getting their panties in a bunch, I will say that JvR has put together a decent NHL career, with 165 goals and 174 assists in eight seasons. And, journeyman Dan Winnik has hung in there toiling away on 3rd and 4th lines for 10 seasons now.
Oh you are right I could not for the life of me think of that third player (Smith) whom now (without looking) I want to say he plays on the Milwaukee Admirals with TyK. I knew you'd come up with him!!!
ps Looks like UMass got themselves a decent player in Cale Makar. According to Pierre McGuire last night everyone should watch them the next couple of years...the world really is going crazy! (I'll report back on this once we've played them...)
Robinson, Charlie Kelleher among UNH hockey frosh:
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20170624/SPORTS22/170629571
ps Looks like UMass got themselves a decent player in Cale Makar. According to Pierre McGuire last night everyone should watch them the next couple of years...the world really is going crazy! (I'll report back on this once we've played them...)
One thing I've learned over the last quarter decade as a dead certain, nailed-on FACT is that UMass Men's Hockey is ALWAYS just a year or two away from turning the corner and becoming a force in Hockey East.
Not going to hold my breath this time, any more than the last hundred or so similar proclamations ...
... for those waiting for the conclusion of the 8th hole, just assume Dick and Mike are still looking for Dick's *lost* ball ...
Yes, indeed, quite the dilemma that Stu faces at the cup on the eighth hole.
HR, probably UMass admissions are easier than at UNH, hence we lose out on some blue chippahs to them, like we do to BC and BU.
One thing I've learned over the last quarter decade as a dead certain, nailed-on FACT is that UMass Men's Hockey is ALWAYS just a year or two away from turning the corner and becoming a force in Hockey East.
Not going to hold my breath this time, any more than the last hundred or so similar proclamations ...
... for those waiting for the conclusion of the 8th hole, just assume Dick and Mike are still looking for Dick's *lost* ball ...
It seems like if you suck someplace else you hit the road. If you suck at UNH they make you captain after three seasons.
Fun with Souza, Dick & Stu - Offseason Edition - Part VIII (conclusion)
Dick, Souza and Puff still look for Dick's lost ball
They look all round the green, and then to Tee Nine
There is a dazed man on the ground near the tee box
There is a dent in his steel work hat
The men think this may be a key clue
The men look close
They think this guy is one of them ...
"Mark, what the eff are you up to here?" barks Dick
"Don't you have more new dorms to build?"
"Hey, I sign the front of your pay check, Dick. Lay off"
"You look dumb with that hat, like Bob the Builder"
"Why does Dick talk to his big boss that way?" Souza asks Puff
"It helps when you are a lame duck. What does he stand to lose?"
"Good point" ...
Back at Green Eight, Stu feels as if he is out of his own body
The rest of the men are out of sight, and out of mind for now
Good Stu is perched on his right arm
Bad Stu is perched on his left arm
"Stu, how would you feel if you lost a hole in one?"
"Eff him, Stu. He did not give you your dream job"
"Poor Dick may not have shot an ace in his life. This is mean!"
"Dick will live just fine with his state paid stuff and no cheap ace!"
"How will you live with this, please do the right thing"
"Do the right thing and throw his ball in the drink, you wuss!!"
Stu looks at the balls one more time
One he knows for sure is his
One has blue paint chips on one side, but no name or marks
Stu walks to Tee Box Nine, as Dick still yells at his big boss
"So my shot hit you in the head ... you got in my way!!"
"No you jerk ... I was in back of the green, you git!!"
"You do not get to call me names. You are not pie zahn!!
"I can call you what ever I want to call you. I am the Prez!!"
"YOU STOLE MY YEAR!! NEXT YEAR WAS MY YEAR TO LEAVE, NOT YOURS!!"
"I OWN THIS PLACE, AND I CAN LEAVE ANY TIME WITH NO OK FROM YOU!!
Stu walks up to the two men, who are both red in the face with ire
"Can I see your hat for a sec, Mark?"
Stunned, Mark shuts up for a sec, and hands his hat to Stu
Stu turns his back to the men, and checks the ball with the dent in the hat
It is a match, right down to the blue paint specks
He turns back, and gives the hat back to Mark
"Dick, I think I have found your ball"
Dick turns to him and asks "So where did you find it Stu?"
"Please sit still when I tell you this, Coach"
"OUT WITH IT NOW, WHILE I'M YOUNG!!"
"I found it in the hole with my ball. You shot an ace, Coach"
Dick is stunned now![]()
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"This is not some sick joke, is it Stu?"
"No sir. This is the real thing. Way to go, Dick!!"
Dick begins to shed real tears of joy
"This has been the best round of my life!!"
"You are like the Vic in Caddy Shack, boss!!" chirps Stu
"So you think this was all luck then?" turns Dick
Stu looks at Mark's hat dent, and says "It's been your day, big guy"
Now Souza has a face that turns red
He thinks Stu now takes the suck up stuff a step too far
"I call BS on this crap" hisses Mike under his breath
"Did you try to say things to me just then, Mike?"
Stu steps in to save Mike's lunch
"God bless you, Souza. That was quite a sneeze"
Souzabut he keeps it to him self this time
Dick is filled with joy
Dick is also filled with <del>Busch</del> Tab
Dick will now pay for beers after the front nine
Dick will pay for Mark's wine to make it up to him too
Mark may not even sue Dick for that new lump on his head
Mike seethesas he goes back to Tee Nine
Stu feels like he did the right thing
Spot thinks Stu is nuts
But Spot thinks what Stu just did was way
Now five men approach Tee Nine
Dick and Mark walk first, arm in arm, like best buds
"So Mark, what is it with these steel poles on Hole Nine?"
"Dick, I got this idea from Puff. Let me tell you what it is ... "
The new score after eight holes (Par 30) stands:
*Dick -3 Souza E Stu E
Dick still has the lead
Dick also now has honors
And yes, Stu has his honor in place
Even if Dick did stick it to him two years back