UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Season?

[chickod]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas

Along those lines … can anyone find me an on-line link to the NESN Hockey East 35th anniversary thing they did not that long ago, with Coaches Umile, Parker and McShane?

I have it on my DVR. I'll see if I can download it - I did this once before...quality isn't wonderful (not HD) but I think I can probably do it.

 

[After the Whistle]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas

Potential recruits who could bring this skill-set next season...

Brendan Budy -https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/337739/brendan-budy
* Played with Crookshank in BCHL
* Played 1/2 season @ Denver and wouldn't be eligible until January 2020
* PPG in Tri-Cities after returning to Jr.

Mattias Macceli - https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/375953/matias-maccelli
* Turku, Finland
* 3rd-Leading scorer in USHL @ 18
* 27-goals in 53 games

Makael Hakkarainen - https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/221342/mikael-hakkarainen
* Helsinki, Finland
* 19 goals in 39 USHL Games
* Ditched PC after one game in 2018-19 Season (College may not be desired path - eligible January)

Marcus Kallionkieli - https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/395520/marcus-kallionkieli
* Helsinki, Finland (Holds Finnish AND Brazilian citizenship)
* Crazy potential - 23 goals in 49 games as a 17 year old much of the season in USHL
* Projected top-3 round NHL pick this summer
* Exactly the type UNH should jump on earlier than others - give him an opp a year ahead of schedule (as their only real shot at this point)

Ethian Scardina - https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/337738/ethan-scardina
* 15th leading goal scorer in BCHL (26) at 18

Levi Glassman - https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/282405/levi-glasman
* Back-to-Back 20-goal seasons in the BCHL
* 24 in 53 games this season to rank 19th in league

Cameron Searles - https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/268679/cameron-searles
* Canadian/Jamaican
* Consistent 20-ish goal-scorer over four seasons in OJHL
* 6-5, PF

Max Giangualano - https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/411141/max-giangualano
* 26 goals in 54 games
* Only turned 18 during the season

Joey Moffat - https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/351220/joey-moffatt
* Will turn 18 in October (not sure if he's old enough or academically advanced for college)
* Would be a big jump from MJHL (but he has scored everywhere he's been)
* Maybe a future option

Another option is an unknown European recruit...

Dan these guys look way to good to still be available! Hard to believe we aren't exploring them and making offers, as HR says, take them all! If I had to predict I still think it will be Will Margel. Was 18 in March, true freshmen, it has always been his dream to come as a true freshmen. He would probably benefit from a year in the west but is already a true goal scorer and will probably get drafted this June and get an offer from someone else willing to start him in September. He can handle D1 now lets not allow him to slip way. Think Jackson Pierson.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas

Dan these guys look way to good to still be available! Hard to believe we aren't exploring them and making offers, as HR says, take them all! If I had to predict I still think it will be Will Margel. Was 18 in March, true freshmen, it has always been his dream to come as a true freshmen. He would probably benefit from a year in the west but is already a true goal scorer and will probably get drafted this June and get an offer from someone else willing to start him in September. He can handle D1 now lets not allow him to slip way. Think Jackson Pierson.

Hey why not take them all! Anyway...being realistic now...Margel is on track to come to UNH obviously and he did make a visit here last winter. Think wildcatdc knows more about that. Am hoping/pretty much sure/ he will indeed show up but I'm not sure about this coming season. CHC does list him as a 2019/2020 commit so, anything's possible! Budy...that would be a great addition as well.

P.S. We don't know if UNH is/isn't talking to any of them on this list...but I can bet they are indeed on their radar...

 

[boblav1]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas

Dan these guys look way to good to still be available! Hard to believe we aren't exploring them and making offers, as HR says, take them all! If I had to predict I still think it will be Will Margel. Was 18 in March, true freshmen, it has always been his dream to come as a true freshmen. He would probably benefit from a year in the west but is already a true goal scorer and will probably get drafted this June and get an offer from someone else willing to start him in September. He can handle D1 now lets not allow him to slip way. Think Jackson Pierson.

FYI - Margel is off to good start at the U18 National Championships. He has 7 points ( 3-4-7) in 2 games played.

 

[Snively65]

Hey why not take them all! Anyway...being realistic now...Margel is on track to come to UNH obviously and he did make a visit here last winter. Think wildcatdc knows more about that. Am hoping/pretty much sure/ he will indeed show up but I'm not sure about this coming season. CHC does list him as a 2019/2020 commit so, anything's possible! Budy...that would be a great addition as well.

P.S. We don't know if UNH is/isn't talking to any of them on this list...but I can bet they are indeed on their radar...

Any sightings of our intrepid coaching staff passing through customs in Helsinki?

Meanwhile, ex-Cats TvR, Pesce, and Foegele have punched their tickets to the NHL postseason, whereas JvR will be hitting the links soon.

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas

Dan these guys look way to good to still be available! Hard to believe we aren't exploring them and making offers, as HR says, take them all! If I had to predict I still think it will be Will Margel. Was 18 in March, true freshmen, it has always been his dream to come as a true freshmen. He would probably benefit from a year in the west but is already a true goal scorer and will probably get drafted this June and get an offer from someone else willing to start him in September. He can handle D1 now lets not allow him to slip way. Think Jackson Pierson.

I think a lot of dominoes will start to fall with - at least the first half of this list of - recruits as the junior seasons wrap up and they can take visits (or for some receive pro ovetures). The BCHL is basically down to their championship series and the USHL playoffs will begin shortly. UNH has been on the road recruiting, on the heels of a season they believe is a success and with their deepest roster in a long while returning, so I think its a reasonable expectation that they make aggressive pitches and show success on the trail. We will see...

If they do end up just accelerating a forward recruit, I'd prefer Margel over any other possibility. He is clearly the most talented option and while he hasn't played up to higher levels of junior hockey - he has simply dominated everywhere he has been. I'm not sure I'd expect it, but they did do it with Pierson (who exhibited similar dominance last season). If all they can manage is one additional high-end offensive commitment and accelerating Margel - I think that'd be a real win and something they could carry into future classes when they'll have even more to replace than they do this off-season...

 

[bakchk20]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas

If all they can manage is one additional high-end offensive commitment and accelerating Margel - I think that'd be a real win and something they could carry into future classes when they'll have even more to replace than they do this off-season...[/QUOTE

Well, essentially, they add Engaras... Nice upgrade in any case; step ahead of any freshman, give a year in the "system".

 

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas

I will be interested to see Souza's evolution in personnel decisions. If you recall, UNH1932 expressed Souza's belief, in 2015, that UNH needed bigger defensemen to handle the defensive aspects. That brought 6' + Corson Green, James Miller, Max Gildon and Benton Maass and Nolan McElhaney (albeit, with 5'9 Bahn and 5'10 Verrier and 5'11 McKinnon).
In this year's playoffs he commented on (how could he not) the dynamic quickness of U.Mass's defense, which is based on U.Mass's desire for small skilled puck-moving defensemen. All of U.Mass' defensive recruits are 6' of under, and skilled. UNH has recruited 5'10 Nick Ardanaz and 5'10 Kalle Eriksson. Has Souza's philosophy changed?

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas

I will be interested to see Souza's evolution in personnel decisions. If you recall, UNH1932 expressed Souza's belief, in 2015, that UNH needed bigger defensemen to handle the defensive aspects. That brought 6' + Corson Green, James Miller, Max Gildon and Benton Maass and Nolan McElhaney (albeit, with 5'9 Bahn and 5'10 Verrier and 5'11 McKinnon).
In this year's playoffs he commented on (how could he not) the dynamic quickness of U.Mass's defense, which is based on U.Mass's desire for small skilled puck-moving defensemen. All of U.Mass' defensive recruits are 6' of under, and skilled. UNH has recruited 5'10 Nick Ardanaz and 5'10 Kalle Eriksson. Has Souza's philosophy changed?

Agreed, this is an area of interest as MS7's coaching career develops. As far as new trends are concerned … if you see something you can exploit because of tendencies elsewhere in your competitive universe, it's best that you're at the front of that trend, before you just become another in a long line of imitators/followers. Obviously, Carvel's approach is drawing attention, in light of the overall success his program is now enjoying. Not being familiar with his past stop, I'd be interested in seeing if his approach at UMass is similar to what he'd been doing at SLU previously, OR if he's just developed this since he got to Amherst.

Then the question - did he go for this intentionally, or was it something that flowed from his ability to attract quicker yet smaller recruits - necessity as opposed to intent or design?

Back in his day, Walshy had some innovative (at the time) approaches - not all had to do with the infamous "retroactive financial aid" BTW - and he definitely reaped the rewards for forward thinking for the rest of his career. Hopefully MS7 has some closely held principles that will benefit his program in the coming years. We'll see ...

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas

Agreed, this is an area of interest as MS7's coaching career develops. As far as new trends are concerned … if you see something you can exploit because of tendencies elsewhere in your competitive universe, it's best that you're at the front of that trend, before you just become another in a long line of imitators/followers. Obviously, Carvel's approach is drawing attention, in light of the overall success his program is now enjoying. Not being familiar with his past stop, I'd be interested in seeing if his approach at UMass is similar to what he'd been doing at SLU previously, OR if he's just developed this since he got to Amherst.

Then the question - did he go for this intentionally, or was it something that flowed from his ability to attract quicker yet smaller recruits - necessity as opposed to intent or design?

Back in his day, Walshy had some innovative (at the time) approaches - not all had to do with the infamous "retroactive financial aid" BTW - and he definitely reaped the rewards for forward thinking for the rest of his career. Hopefully MS7 has some closely held principles that will benefit his program in the coming years. We'll see ...

I'm prob the last person who would/should comment on what MS7 is up to with his thinking, but, he has talked about building the team from the back (start with the goaltender) and of course that would include defensemen. He says he wants to play a fast, up tempo game so it would make sense that is what he is seeking. UMass is a cookie cutter team as far as height and weight go. But what makes them so darn good is they outhustle to the puck, make it hard to transition with their speediness, and, they skate, skate and skate some more. Then they kill you with that quickness around the goal or with a blast from the point (Makar style). Big or small keep your skates moving and get pucks to the net boys!

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas

Kohei Sato (6'1" and speedy) best UNH D-man on the ice in a couple games I saw this past year.

 

[HockeyRef]

Kohei Sato (6'1" and speedy) best UNH D-man on the ice in a couple games I saw this past year.

Here here! Thought he did a great job hunting down the puck...gotta have speed coming into the zone. Hey Snively65 am at Pitman’s for a retirement gig will have to catch up the next time they do a jazz thing. Cool place!

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas

Snively65, I love ya man, but with all due respect, if Sato is supposed to be the answer for UNH back on the blue line, then we're not asking the right questions. Emergency option (7th defender) at best on a good team, and if he's getting regular ice time beyond that on defense, then you're likely a non-HE playoffs team … OR a team that's good enough to outscore a lot of opponents, but not when it matters.

There's thinking outside the box, and then there's wishful thinking. Sato as a regular D is the latter. JMHO.

 

[HockeyRef]

Snively65, I love ya man, but with all due respect, if Sato is supposed to be the answer for UNH back on the blue line, then we're not asking the right questions. Emergency option (7th defender) at best on a good team, and if he's getting regular ice time beyond that on defense, then you're likely a non-HE playoffs team … OR a team that's good enough to outscore a lot of opponents, but not when it matters.

There's thinking outside the box, and then there's wishful thinking. Sato as a regular D is the latter. JMHO.

Just sayin the kid can skate...

 

[msprice]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas

Eric Knodel named to ECHL all star team.

 

[Snively65]

Snively65, I love ya man, but with all due respect, if Sato is supposed to be the answer for UNH back on the blue line, then we're not asking the right questions. Emergency option (7th defender) at best on a good team, and if he's getting regular ice time beyond that on defense, then you're likely a non-HE playoffs team … OR a team that's good enough to outscore a lot of opponents, but not when it matters.

There's thinking outside the box, and then there's wishful thinking. Sato as a regular D is the latter. JMHO.

I know what I saw from KS on the blue line, albeit that was when several regular UNH blue liners were on the shelf.

Meanwhile, final regular season stats for some UNH alums after 'canes beat Flyers 5-4 yesterday.

JvR, 68 games, 27G+21A=48pts, -10
Career, 675, 228+213=441, -44

TvR, 78, 3+11=14, -4
Career, 315, 14+47=61, +17

Pesce, 73, 7+22=29, +35 (really)
Career, 289, 16=68=84, +45

Foegele, 77, 10+5=15, -17

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas

Meanwhile, final regular season stats for some UNH alums after 'canes beat Flyers 5-4 yesterday.

JvR, 68 games, 27G+21A=48pts, -10
Career, 675, 228+213=441, -44

TvR, 78, 3+11=14, -4
Career, 315, 14+47=61, +17

Pesce, 73, 7+22=29, +35 (really)
Career, 289, 16=68=84, +45

Foegele, 77, 10+5=15, -17

Who was Pesce's defensive pairing for most of this season?

+35 is pretty incredible for a middle of the pack, borderline in-the-playoffs team.

 

[Snively65]

Who was Pesce's defensive pairing for most of this season?

+35 is pretty incredible for a middle of the pack, borderline in-the-playoffs team.

Good question. Some sleuthing revealed that Pesce played his offside with Justin Faulk on right side of second D pair at even strength, and his regular right side with Jaccob Stavin on left side when short handed and late in games when protecting a lead.

Dougie Hamilton on right side wiith Stavin as first D pair at even strength. Funny, as I recall that the B's were not happy with Hamilton when protecting a lead.

TvR played with Calvin de Haan on third pair most of season.

Hamilton, 82 games, 18+21=39, +0
Stavin, 82, 8+23=31, +0
Faulk, 82, 11+24=35, +9
de Haan, 74, 1+13=14, +1

 

[chickod]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas

Funny, as I recall that the B's were not happy with Hamilton when protecting a lead.

B's aren't happy with ANY young players...they give up on them too early...

 

[Snively65]

B's aren't happy with ANY young players...they give up on them too early...

ANY? What about David Pastrnak?