HockeyRef
Well-known member
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UNH Wildcats 2021/2022 - Return of the Champions of October?
- Thread starter Chuck Murray
- Start date
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deltabravo62
Active member
We're on to Lowell
HockeyRef
Well-known member
...and I'm not going to reflect on how we might do at Lowell; or what adjustments we need to make, just know one thing, we are going to Lowell!
After the Whistle
Member
Ref, with that last post you sounded like MS, “I’m not going to reflect…” Ha.
Thank you so much for posting the link to the article. I always enjoy them and at least get a small sense of the coaches feelings. Small sense being the rule. I used to get so much more info pre and post game. Sea Coast online, the Monitor and the UL always followed the team with individual stories on players, and responses to many of our questions. Apparently we have no connection to any off these sources. They are also ravaged by down circulation and readership. Has Allen Lessels left UNH? He was able to occasionally present a nice piece.
But as you all have said. Bring on Lowell! Win Friday to make it a bit less tense.
Thank you so much for posting the link to the article. I always enjoy them and at least get a small sense of the coaches feelings. Small sense being the rule. I used to get so much more info pre and post game. Sea Coast online, the Monitor and the UL always followed the team with individual stories on players, and responses to many of our questions. Apparently we have no connection to any off these sources. They are also ravaged by down circulation and readership. Has Allen Lessels left UNH? He was able to occasionally present a nice piece.
But as you all have said. Bring on Lowell! Win Friday to make it a bit less tense.
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Not sure what's going on with the press as of the past couple of years. Now and then the seacoastonline will run a story, Union Leader usually has some game coverage (but I'm not paying for that paper) so reading the New Hampshire student news paper, watching for post game pressers on You Tube, maybe catching a glimpse or two from the Wednesday presser Souza usually gives, are pretty much all there is for communication. Of course, UNH Insider writes an article or two about what's happening etc usually its upcoming game coverage and UNH news. Only select press gets to hear the Wednesday presser; it used to be put out to the masses. But when you do that you open up criticism. Truth be told I HATE being critical of this team, if I'm being honest and I know its a bad look to do so when they are doing the best they can I'm sure. They are not...the Bruins....I hope for the best and it pains me to see them down. Gosh knows it's been a lousy couple of years just getting through this mess of a pandemic.
Guess I'm reflecting!
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
From the top on down ...
It's funny, until 'Ref posted the link to THN's game story, I wasn't even aware Ciocco was working for Borek at Merrimack. IIRC Ciocco broke the third wall here on USCHO a few times after his UNH playing career was over, although I don't recall what the circumstances may have been at the time. Turns out, he's been with Borek for what is now their 4th season at MC which obviously begs comparison to what MS7 has done in his four years in charge (plus a 3 year apprenticeship) at UNH. Overall, MS7 has a better record in those four seasons ... BUT the trajectory of the MS7 Era at UNH is following a flat line at the lower reaches of HEA, whilst Merrimack has suddenly emerged in Year Four of the Borek Era (without the 3 year head start MS7 enjoyed in Durham) as a program that's looking like a shoe-in for REAL home ice in the HEA Quarters. IF they are the 3rd seed, they'll probably end up with the BC-UNH winner from the MBPBEGAM round.
If anyone remembers Roger Clemens' return to Fenway Park in a Toronto uniform in the late '90's, you'll probably remember the "salute" Roger gave his old boss Dan Duquette up in the pressbox/executive suites area at his old stomping grounds on his way off the mound. I would not begrudge Scotty B. a similar opportunity to "salute" Blue Skies, if UNH were to be so lucky as to advance out of the MBPBEGAM death match (which of course UNH will fail at again).
To answer your basic question J.D. ... the question in my mind isn't so much whether Borek is on UNH's radar, as it is would Borek even contemplate leaving MC to start anew (again) at UNH? Given the history, I doubt it. Borek is 60 years old, and this will almost certainly be his last stop in the head coaching biz. He's finally got things up and running at MC, so he's probably (understandably) invested in seeing his work in North Andover through to its conclusion. So even with Blue Skies bidding UNH adieu shortly, I don't see Borek having the same interest in HC of UNH as he did a decade or so ago.
My guess is, Ciocco would probably jump at the opportunity (still being young, an alum, and now being able to point to some D-1 success on his resume) if/when the UNH job opens up. Borek would probably encourage it even. And if it turns out JC has played a key part in the success of Borek's program as it now stands, I think UNH would be nuts NOT to consider him.
Borek went almost 20 years between HC jobs at D-1 between his dismissal at Lake State, and his hiring by MC. I always dismissed him as a viable D-1 guy, primarily on the basis he didn't do much at Lake State after inheriting the juggernaut program that Jeff Jackson took to the very top (before leaving for the USNTDP, and eventually NICC). If he couldn't keep that LSSU program afloat, there was very little reason to think he could keep UNH relevant at prime Umile Era levels. Now he's gone and done a bottom-to-top rebuild at Merrimack, which is impressive. I'm not sure it's sustainable, but Borek should get some credit for what he's achieved. I didn't think he had it in him, and apparently I was wrong. Kudos Scotty!
J.D. - I'd love to get your insight into why you don't think Ayers would be the guy at UNH?
Sounds kinda like "It is time for us to do what we have been doing, and that time is every day." ;-)
It's funny, until 'Ref posted the link to THN's game story, I wasn't even aware Ciocco was working for Borek at Merrimack. IIRC Ciocco broke the third wall here on USCHO a few times after his UNH playing career was over, although I don't recall what the circumstances may have been at the time. Turns out, he's been with Borek for what is now their 4th season at MC which obviously begs comparison to what MS7 has done in his four years in charge (plus a 3 year apprenticeship) at UNH. Overall, MS7 has a better record in those four seasons ... BUT the trajectory of the MS7 Era at UNH is following a flat line at the lower reaches of HEA, whilst Merrimack has suddenly emerged in Year Four of the Borek Era (without the 3 year head start MS7 enjoyed in Durham) as a program that's looking like a shoe-in for REAL home ice in the HEA Quarters. IF they are the 3rd seed, they'll probably end up with the BC-UNH winner from the MBPBEGAM round.
If anyone remembers Roger Clemens' return to Fenway Park in a Toronto uniform in the late '90's, you'll probably remember the "salute" Roger gave his old boss Dan Duquette up in the pressbox/executive suites area at his old stomping grounds on his way off the mound. I would not begrudge Scotty B. a similar opportunity to "salute" Blue Skies, if UNH were to be so lucky as to advance out of the MBPBEGAM death match (which of course UNH will fail at again).
To answer your basic question J.D. ... the question in my mind isn't so much whether Borek is on UNH's radar, as it is would Borek even contemplate leaving MC to start anew (again) at UNH? Given the history, I doubt it. Borek is 60 years old, and this will almost certainly be his last stop in the head coaching biz. He's finally got things up and running at MC, so he's probably (understandably) invested in seeing his work in North Andover through to its conclusion. So even with Blue Skies bidding UNH adieu shortly, I don't see Borek having the same interest in HC of UNH as he did a decade or so ago.
My guess is, Ciocco would probably jump at the opportunity (still being young, an alum, and now being able to point to some D-1 success on his resume) if/when the UNH job opens up. Borek would probably encourage it even. And if it turns out JC has played a key part in the success of Borek's program as it now stands, I think UNH would be nuts NOT to consider him.
Borek went almost 20 years between HC jobs at D-1 between his dismissal at Lake State, and his hiring by MC. I always dismissed him as a viable D-1 guy, primarily on the basis he didn't do much at Lake State after inheriting the juggernaut program that Jeff Jackson took to the very top (before leaving for the USNTDP, and eventually NICC). If he couldn't keep that LSSU program afloat, there was very little reason to think he could keep UNH relevant at prime Umile Era levels. Now he's gone and done a bottom-to-top rebuild at Merrimack, which is impressive. I'm not sure it's sustainable, but Borek should get some credit for what he's achieved. I didn't think he had it in him, and apparently I was wrong. Kudos Scotty!
J.D. - I'd love to get your insight into why you don't think Ayers would be the guy at UNH?
Sounds kinda like "It is time for us to do what we have been doing, and that time is every day." ;-)
Who knows, maybe behind the scenes Ayers is everything Souza isn't. I don't have that type of access. I know he can recruit good goalies. But he is the Associate HC at BC. More is expected of him as a lead assistant at a huge program with what you could call a figurehead HC at this point. He should be running the show in Chestnut Hill and the results in his tenure are just not good enough.
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
It's been a lot longer than the "past couple of years", 'Ref. You can probably trace it directly to when BS was hired back at the apex of UNH Hockey. As AD, part of your job is to make sure to get the word out on your various programs, and let the coaches do what they do best - coach the players. Some coaches are better than others with self-promotion (Walshy comes to mind, and even Hubbard as a more contemporary example) but if the AD isn't overseeing media outreach, then he's not doing a huge part of his job - even if it's delegating some/most of that to an SID person. UNH Hockey used to be a money making machine for the U back in the day, and now it's probably (at best) a break-even proposition. All down to one man.
FWIW the best local hockey coverage used to be with Foster's (Dover) before seacoastonline.com swallowed them whole a while ago. I had some great contacts within FDD, and one of their other writers (different sport) was a close personal friend and a HUGE UNH Hockey guy who posted regularly on here, and a loyal collaborator on WIS items when things got hot. To borrow your words, as far as seacoastonline.com, I'm not paying for that $#@+. ;-)
Bingo. Just another symptom of a world that's become way too sensitive to criticism, as if criticism doesn't contain valuable kernels of truth that folks who are truly interested in bettering themselves or their organizations should be open to listening to. If UNH and/or its outgoing AD just want to tread water in shallow end of the kiddie pool, this is definitely the way to go.
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Agree with most (if not all) of your points, J.D. Ayers certainly has an opportunity, especially if he is indeed second-in-charge behind York these days, as York has to be swinging somewhere in the vicinity of the 17th fairway/18th teebox in his illustrious career. The downturn (exaggerated this season, likely due to unique circumstances) in recent years from York's apex seasons can't help Ayers, and I'm sure the chirping little maggot down in Storrs is stoking discussion (if anyone even listens to him any more) about how York just isn't the same without him. Please reassure me BC is smart enough not to bring that tool back to The Heights when York finally steps down, please? Rest assured, I'm not rooting for BC, but I do detest that smarmy bast!d.
The corona has certainly caused disruptions and challenges for college hockey, but this has affected ALL of college hockey. At the end of the day, talent will drive the majority of the results on the ice. Teamwork, effort and puck luck certainly enter the picture, then you have talent. UNH just doesnt have enough of it and hasnt for 7-10 years.
At some point, if the food put on the table sucks, the cook stirring the pot either lacks in proper preparation, has mediocre culinary skills or sucks at bringing in enough high quality ingredients. Go ahead and paint the walls, decrease the restaurant size by 10 feet, install a big screen tv behind the bar, or offer more specials, but at some point, time to put someone new behind the apron. Or you keep eating the same sub-par Whitt food and tell yourself that it tastes just as good as Comm Ave food, though you better not lose sight of the food joints in Grand Forks, Ann Arbor and Duluth.
NO.
UNH has made the lazy hire of least resistance, turning in zero effort and handing the keys to a limited resume, likeable alumni assistant. How’s that worked out?
Ciocco has the same resume as Souza, poor results and limited experience at schools with terrible records. A half season of success at MC doesn’t change that, especially when coaching for a hands on and directly involved recruiting HC. You don’t base a HC search on recency bias...
BC was a recruiting wagon well before Ayers, the only difference now is it hasn’t translated like it once did. If York retired today BC would want nothing to do with him.
Apparently, they’re both nice guys. That means nothing by itself. Neither would even be on the radar if their Alma Mater was Maine. Time for UNH to grow up and make a broad search. There are plenty of nice guys who graduated from any number of schools and/or have proven resumes.
Easy hires get you killed, no mater if you stumble into blind success once in a while (soccer). Hubbard got the job because he grew up in Durham. He happens to be tremendous. UNH got lucky.
Enough small-mindedness; hopefully a change is made in the near future. Hopefully UNH mixes in some elbow grease, develops a plan and puts effort into the process this time. Find the best guy. Not your buddy.
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Well last week there was a vote on here for Jeff Guiliano....
Find it ironic that Ayers spent 4 years as a player at UNH and appeared in 2 Frozen Fours and 1 national championship game.
In 8 years coaching at BC he's participated in 2 FF's and no NC games.
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HockeyRef
Well-known member
Totally catch your drift...sometimes you get better meals at the 'hole in the wall' joints than you do at the Ritz.
Heh UConn just got swept by NU. If history is any indication they will bow out again without winning a playoff game. I think he is close to being in the discussion though. He has done a decent job. Not great, decent. In terms of current head coaches, Greg Brown and JD Forrest will probably get a look. All depends if they look outside the family.
After the Whistle
Member
Absolutely agree J.D. Almost in College has arrived with only one plausible reason why - Lang!
I don't necessarily want to see UNH make a run at anyone; I want to see an objective and developing search that opens broadly and seeks to identify the proper fit and the best direction for success without bias. I'm not sold on Lang at a larger program, but I'd certainly want to give him an interview, listen and learn with an open mind. If he impresses and rises to the top so be it, but zeroing in early is another recipe for disaster, IMO...
My list of candidates would start with Clarkson's Casey Jones, Associate HC's Dane Jackson, Bill Muckalt, Joe Dumais & Ron Rolston, and junior hockey bench boss Fred Harbinson, among others. There are a number of other great candidates to be considered, but my goal would be to cast a wide net and aim high. Not to settle on, and for, low hanging fruit...
If I was going to consider a UNH alum, I'd want to speak to Kevin Dean - to see if his professional pedigree might translate a la Andy Murray at Western Michigan (depending on who he'd target for assistant jobs).
If I wanted to take a flyer on an unproven assistant I'd consider Peter Mannino at Colorado College. He seemed to recruit at a VERY high level in one season at Miami, but gets an incomplete as Rico was fired and most of his prospects decommitted and scattered across college hockey.
Ciocco may end up being a GUY - but he's not ready to be the guy at UNH. It would be the equivalent of Alabama hiring a Vanderbilt linebackers coach because he's a Tide alum. When that LB coach comes back to Bama, works his way up to DC and proves himself THEN perhaps there's a match.
That said, color me far from certain UNH will even make a change...
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HockeyRef
Well-known member
The thing I've been running around in my head has been well, it's not that the crew haven't been able to get decent players into the pipe line...I mean, Stutzle? Of course landing those big fish and having them put on the blue and white is another story all together as we all know. "Its not for a lack of trying" I guess is what I'm trying to say. And far be it from me to demean the current players (I know no one wants to do that). I know they are working hard.
Dan, I'm with you...the fact that change will prob not come seems so much more certain...I just don't know what to think of it all anymore. Alot of the people I know who continue to be long term fans just love and seem happy with going to games, drinking a few beers with friends, enjoying a win or two etc. Talking about the 'good ole days' of going to Regionals, FF's winning the coveted HE. They are really not that wrapped up in all of this. I wish I could be more like them and for many games that's my vibe too sans those memories as I wasn't a fan then. Heard about it, just wasn't interested. Now it's a 'bucket list' goal of mine to win a HE, go to a FF...you guys were lucky.
Have to laugh I met Charlie Coyle at the last ever Commonwealth Classic hockey game. Told him I was a UNH fan he said "well, I hope they come through for you". Yeah, me too Charlie...me too!
Dan, I'm with you...the fact that change will prob not come seems so much more certain...I just don't know what to think of it all anymore. Alot of the people I know who continue to be long term fans just love and seem happy with going to games, drinking a few beers with friends, enjoying a win or two etc. Talking about the 'good ole days' of going to Regionals, FF's winning the coveted HE. They are really not that wrapped up in all of this. I wish I could be more like them and for many games that's my vibe too sans those memories as I wasn't a fan then. Heard about it, just wasn't interested. Now it's a 'bucket list' goal of mine to win a HE, go to a FF...you guys were lucky.
Have to laugh I met Charlie Coyle at the last ever Commonwealth Classic hockey game. Told him I was a UNH fan he said "well, I hope they come through for you". Yeah, me too Charlie...me too!
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On Lang, I guess what would be the next kind of job for him if not a program like UNH? No guarantee he succeeds but I'm not sure where he's supposed to go next to prove himself more than taking AIC from worst program in D1 to what it has become.
Casey Jones is interesting. He is another guy I want BC to look at if they go outside the family. But would he leave Clarkson for UNH? I don't see that happening.
Casey Jones is interesting. He is another guy I want BC to look at if they go outside the family. But would he leave Clarkson for UNH? I don't see that happening.
I’m not in the D1 coaching circles but we need someone who isn’t an alumni. Fresh start not hanging on to a good career hoping it works as a coach
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