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UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

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Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

UNH head coach Mike Souza announced that Filip Engarås (Stockholm, Sweden) has been denied NCAA eligibility and will not play in any UNH games this season. Issue with amateur eligibility. He has committed to remain with the team next season. He has been attending classes and practicing with the team throughout this season.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

According to Souza, in past cases where a European junior player played a few games with the junior club's affiliated professional team, the NCAA denied eligibility for several games but allowed the player to play the remainder of the freshman campaign. Unfortunately, they did not grant Filip Engarås this type of limited ineligibility.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

Coach Souza emphasized that Engarås has been an integral part of the team all season. He practices with the team, attends all games, and goes to classes. Engarås could've returned to play in Sweden but chose to remain and play for UNH next season.
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

That's great news, that Engaras is indeed entrenched in the 'Cat scheme of things...as I suspected. Missed the presser thanks so much for sharing this info!! Looking forward to seeing Filip on the ice next season, along with Kalle Eriksson! Go 'Cats!!!
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

C-H-C said:
According to Souza, in past cases where a European junior player played a few games with the junior club's affiliated professional team, the NCAA denied eligibility for several games but allowed the player to play the remainder of the freshman campaign. Unfortunately, they did not grant Filip Engarås this type of limited ineligibility.
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hmmmm wonder why? Seems pretty harsh. I know that UNH did what they could to get him on the ice...glad to have the info finally!
 
Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

HockeyRef said:
hmmmm wonder why? Seems pretty harsh. I know that UNH did what they could to get him on the ice...glad to have the info finally!
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I would imagine are many details and circumstances in each individual case we will never really be privy to. However, I too am glad to finally have a resolution. Great to hear he is planning to remain with the team, certainly gives us something to look forward to next season! Maybe the future of UNH Hockey is starting to brighten.
 
Snively65 said:
And, the word is......?
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Apparently, he is done for the year but will return to UNH next year. What I want to know is did the NCAA confirm to UNH that Engaras would be eligible next year - that's a pretty big elephant in the room that was not clear in the relating of the press conference...

They we're unexpectedly burned this year - it would be naive to simply think the case would be re-evaluated in their favor next year (or that the NCAA would ever just make the right/consistent decision) because Engaras was already penalized a year. I sure hope they have clear confirmation that missing this season is his entire punishment and he is eligible next fall. It would be awful for both parties involved to come plan/commit for next fall without that sort of confirmation...

Did Souza indicate this confirmation and it hasn't been posted? Does anyone have insight into whether or not the school has received these assurances? They better...

One question answered and another created...?
 
C-H-C said:
UNH head coach Mike Souza announced that Filip Engarås (Stockholm, Sweden) has been denied NCAA eligibility and will not play in any UNH games this season. Issue with amateur eligibility. He has committed to remain with the team next season. He has been attending classes and practicing with the team throughout this season.
Click to expand...

Did he lose a year of eligibility? Or was it more or less a red-shirt year? I have to imagine it was the former.
 
wildcatdc said:
Did he lose a year of eligibility? Or was it more or less a red-shirt year? I have to imagine it was the former.
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I have to think so - assuming he's greenlit at the start of (or early) next season than this is basically the major junior penalty. See Sean Matile. The NCAA has essentially ruled that Engaras was not a junior playing with a pro-team - but was, in fact, a pro. Most likely, he took an i permitted form of payment or benefit (or was not able to adequately prove he didn't)...

Based on actions - that seems to be the penalty. Missed and docked a full season (+ games??). But their assumptions were wrong last time around, I hope they're not making more. I didn't see the press-conference, but if anyone can confirm he NCAA actually ruled Engaras eligible next season - as opposed to a hopeful re-apply - I would love to hear about it...
 
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wildcatdc said:
2 minutes for you in the box for lack of attention to detail.
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Oops, I missed the next page with all of Mike's posts. Good finally to have an explanation, as dicey as next year sounds. So much for my desire to have a roster full of Euro players, as much I like the SMT style of play. Sigh.
 
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Re: UNH Wildcats 2018-2019: Souza the Opportunity or Louza the Opportunity

Fans can watch Coach Souza's press conference here: https://twitter.com/UNHMHOCKEY/status/1083045998358863872

The fact that Engaras has chosen to stay with the team and continue his UNH education reflects well on the UNH coaches, his teammates, and the educational environment. Note that Coach Souza explains he personally went to Sweden to recruit Engaras.
 
Dan said:
Apparently, he is done for the year but will return to UNH next year. What I want to know is did the NCAA confirm to UNH that Engaras would be eligible next year - that's a pretty big elephant in the room that was not clear in the relating of the press conference...

They we're unexpectedly burned this year - it would be naive to simply think the case would be re-evaluated in their favor next year (or that the NCAA would ever just make the right/consistent decision) because Engaras was already penalized a year. I sure hope they have clear confirmation that missing this season is his entire punishment and he is eligible next fall. It would be awful for both parties involved to come plan/commit for next fall without that sort of confirmation...

Did Souza indicate this confirmation and it hasn't been posted? Does anyone have insight into whether or not the school has received these assurances? They better...

One question answered and another created...?
Click to expand...

Well, I'll just say it speaks volumes for UNH and for Engaras to stay and sit out a year! He must like Durham and UNH. What's not to like?
 
e.cat said:
Well, I'll just say it speaks volumes for UNH and for Engaras to stay and sit out a year! He must like Durham and UNH. What's not to like?
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Just finished listening to the presser...Souza said the NCAA would be docking Engaras for the year so yes he loses a year of eligibility. He reiterated their commitment to him and he (Engaras) is happy to stay with UNH hockey. (As C-H-C said)

In fact they have quite a conversation about how UNH recruited him etc was obvious there is a vested interest here as we will need a good two way centerman next season.
 
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