UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

Well Chuck I'm sure you won't agree with me and most of the veterans won't who are convinced UNH isn't much of a draw anymore but I am of the opinion that high profile players have a lot to choose from; UNH being one.

Tell me (I'm really curious) how Union did it last year. Not the most high profile program in the planet. Yale the year before. Who saw that coming? Number 15 in the pair wise? Has to be a combination of things rather than one single element.

Correct me if I'm wrong and I don't kid myself to have knowledge of hockey recruiting that some of you do but were those teams positioned / poised to do what they did? Let's not go down that coaching road although that has to be part of the equation..

Funny guys like Eiserman and Kelleher have said they "always wanted to play" for the Wildcats. I believe there is/are more where that came from and given how huge hockey has become in the past 5 or so years we are or are we not recruiting some decent players? (See our current Freshmen class; not speaking of everyone of them mind you.)

I say we are still are / gonna be a viable sought after program. Maybe those glory days are not meant to be repeated. Maybe...just maybe there's something better ahead. Oops that's the optimist speaking...

Ps Glory Days...isn't that's a Bruce Springsteen song ��

As you are aware from our previous threads (even parts of the BS-35 one) the past two years, Ref, for a variety of reasons we have had topnotch recruits interested in UNH not arrive in Durham (Joey Leleggia now a senior at DU and second highest scoring D-man overall this season, Mike Vecchione now a sophomore forward at Union and tied for 7th overall in points this year, and maybe Johnny Gaudreau two years at BC and off to the NHL this year). Add to those misses our three most experienced D-men who could have come back this year but did not, and you probably can explain UNH missing the NCAAs the past two seasons (I have not completely given up on this season, as "miracles" do happen). So, although we probably would not have made the FF, we would have continued to make some noise in the post-season the past two years. I do not think that Yale is a good comparative, as I accept that academically they may be a notch above UNH. But, a recruit choosing DU or Union over UNH is harder to explain, especially with Union being in Schenectady. And, my guess is that some of our past recruits preferred Durham over Boston, such as the Hemingway and the van Riemsdyk brothers. On the other hand, I think that our wide sheet is probably a wash for recruitment.

 

[Greg A]

Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

It very well could be the case that Haydar got moved up from the third line rather than the second. My main point was that playing on the first line with the likes of Krog and Souza for most of the season greatly benefited Haydar's 61 point total. And, by the same token, no doubt that Haydar was influential in Krog winning the Hobey, and the team playing in the NC game that year.

So, back to Poturalski, Foegele, and Yzerman; their future looks bright .

If anyone benefited by being on a line with Krog it was Souza. Talented enough, but not in Haydar's class by any stretch.

 

[Greg A]

Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

Well Chuck I'm sure you won't agree with me and most of the veterans won't who are convinced UNH isn't much of a draw anymore but I am of the opinion that high profile players have a lot to choose from; UNH being one.

Tell me (I'm really curious) how Union did it last year. Not the most high profile program in the planet. Yale the year before. Who saw that coming? Number 15 in the pair wise? Has to be a combination of things rather than one single element.

Correct me if I'm wrong and I don't kid myself to have knowledge of hockey recruiting that some of you do but were those teams positioned / poised to do what they did? Let's not go down that coaching road although that has to be part of the equation..

Funny guys like Eiserman and Kelleher have said they "always wanted to play" for the Wildcats. I believe there is/are more where that came from and given how huge hockey has become in the past 5 or so years we are or are we not recruiting some decent players? (See our current Freshmen class; not speaking of everyone of them mind you.)

I say we are still are / gonna be a viable sought after program. Maybe those glory days are not meant to be repeated. Maybe...just maybe there's something better ahead. Oops that's the optimist speaking...

Ps Glory Days...isn't that's a Bruce Springsteen song

Ref, the kids you reference? Great, I'm glad they always wanted to come to UNH. But the problem has been that we don't have as many, and as talented as the groups that came through say 15 years ago. I remember vividly why Sean Collins opted to come. He was very heavily recruited by BU and BC, but when he heard Eddie Caron had committed (no joke), he knew he had to sign on. Having Saviano on board already didn't hurt, but the idea that other top recruits were headed to Durham is what made his decision final. That's 14+ years ago. Frankly, haven't seen that since. Bottom line, winning begets winning. If you are not making noise, no one is going to hear you. The next couple of years are crucial for UNH if they want to become a destination school again.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

So meanwhile back on the ranch we have a play off game (s) this weekend...

http://unhwildcats.com/sports/mice/2014-15/releases/2015030455eo0y

Speaking of play offs wow was that men's game something else to follow on Twitter; would've had a coronary had I been there to see it live! OT and close all the way. Congrats to the Men's BBall team for winning their AE qtr final game. Nice to see that program seeing success...

Really hoping the 'Cats get it done in two this weekend...looking at the stats v UConn we should be able to. Their GK has some decent numbers but we have been able to beat him before. HE put out their annual media guide yesterday. Saw we are 12th in the nation for offense and...40th for D but hey we knew that..right?

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

Ref, the kids you reference? Great, I'm glad they always wanted to come to UNH. But the problem has been that we don't have as many, and as talented as the groups that came through say 15 years ago. I remember vividly why Sean Collins opted to come. He was very heavily recruited by BU and BC, but when he heard Eddie Caron had committed (no joke), he knew he had to sign on. Having Saviano on board already didn't hurt, but the idea that other top recruits were headed to Durham is what made his decision final. That's 14+ years ago. Frankly, haven't seen that since. Bottom line, winning begets winning. If you are not making noise, no one is going to hear you. The next couple of years are crucial for UNH if they want to become a destination school again.

Yes I do get the point. Loud and clear as since I've been here on this board it's been quite apparent what the problems are for this team. Had I read this board I doubt I would've ever gone to that first game haha! Seriously tho I will say that winning does attract winning...and to continue to sell a program to a top athlete well that is part of the equation. But my interests lie in other things and oh yea, I want to see the 'Cats win, compete, and do great things. Next.

 

[Greg A]

Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

Yes I do get the point. Loud and clear as since I've been here on this board it's been quite apparent what the problems are for this team. Had I read this board I doubt I would've ever gone to that first game haha! Seriously tho I will say that winning does attract winning...and to continue to sell a program to a top athlete well that is part of the equation. But my interests lie in other things and oh yea, I want to see the 'Cats win, compete, and do great things. Next.

Ref, you have to understand that folks like me, most of whom don't post ever, have a deep attachment to UNH Hockey and have for decades. I am lucid enough to understand that it is only a sport, and that these are only college kids, and there are lot more important things in the world. But UNH has been serious about men's hockey since they elevated to D1 in 1968. If they weren't they wouldn't be touting their NCAA appearances and the excellence of the players who have come through the program. My beef is that somehow they have lost their way and, in the process, seemed to have lost their commitment to excel. Based on my observations of the freshmen class, I am cautiously optimistic for next year. But they can't have a complete whiff like the junior class. They need to have at least a couple of next year's freshmen approximate what some of this year's freshmen have become.

 

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

Best guess is we are losing Downing, Willows, Thrush and Camper, and on D, Pesce
Best guess incoming
Blackburn, Vela, BVR and Kalinowski, and Masonius on D

They are not at the level of this year's freshmen, but Blackburn is similar to Downing, and Vela is a high upside kid who has put stats up the last few weeks to match his pedigree. He's only 17 and may be like Foegele in terms of making a big jump. BVR is not JVR, and not even Willows, but at 6'4 he is a project. Kalinowski is Camper.
Masonius is like a freshman Pesce. The bigger increase next year will be the freshmen D, Marks, Boyd, Chanter making a jump.

 

[LimeyCat]

Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

I'm leaving it late to jump on the 'bandwagon' but here I am. Watching from afar I've found this to be a very strange team. Beat a big fish, lose to a spratt. But the last two months have been encouraging (Maine series aside) and I go into the playoffs with hope of a good run. But more importantly I wanted to remind those people on here who know me that I'm still blue and white and always following the 'cats! Hello to you all!

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

Ref, you have to understand that folks like me, most of whom don't post ever, have a deep attachment to UNH Hockey and have for decades. I am lucid enough to understand that it is only a sport, and that these are only college kids, and there are lot more important things in the world. But UNH has been serious about men's hockey since they elevated to D1 in 1968. If they weren't they wouldn't be touting their NCAA appearances and the excellence of the players who have come through the program. My beef is that somehow they have lost their way and, in the process, seemed to have lost their commitment to excel. Based on my observations of the freshmen class, I am cautiously optimistic for next year. But they can't have a complete whiff like the junior class. They need to have at least a couple of next year's freshmen approximate what some of this year's freshmen have become.

Just to back up Greg's perspective - and for what it's worth, I posted a long treatise on this last night that got lost, and I'm glad it did because Greg boiled it down nicely and succinctly in his posts this morning - but the UNH Men's Hockey program has indeed lost its way, and frankly it's not all Coach Umile's fault. In fact, I'd say Coach is to some degree a victim of his own success, and while at times he's been his own worst enemy, there have been many instances and various issues where other folks (very much including BS35+soon to be 2, and others in admin) have just gotten in the way, failed to support the program, and even now have to some degree deserted it, and moved on to brighter and shinier objects (i.e. football).

With playoffs coming up this weekend (and hopefully beyond), I don't want to get in the way or divert the discussion into big-picture stuff ... but in a few weeks we'll be smack-dab into the offseason, we'll know how the UNH season ended, and we can examine the state of the program past, present and future to our heart's content with full perspective.

But make no mistake - and Ref, I know as a newbie you come from a different perspective, less tainted than many of us who have seen better days with the program - this is no longer a destination program. And it hasn't been since those apex seasons in the early part of the last decade. It's sad but it's true. It can be again, but it's not going to just happen. And Coach Umile (or his eventual successor) isn't going to be able to do it by himself.

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

If anyone benefited by being on a line with Krog it was Souza. Talented enough, but not in Haydar's class by any stretch.

Thank you! I've been meaning to say this for days...

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

http://m.seacoastonline.com/article/20020329/Sports/303299954?template=printart

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

Just to back up Greg's perspective - and for what it's worth, I posted a long treatise on this last night that got lost, and I'm glad it did because Greg boiled it down nicely and succinctly in his posts this morning - but the UNH Men's Hockey program has indeed lost its way, and frankly it's not all Coach Umile's fault. In fact, I'd say Coach is to some degree a victim of his own success, and while at times he's been his own worst enemy, there have been many instances and various issues where other folks (very much including BS35+soon to be 2, and others in admin) have just gotten in the way, failed to support the program, and even now have to some degree deserted it, and moved on to brighter and shinier objects (i.e. football).

With playoffs coming up this weekend (and hopefully beyond), I don't want to get in the way or divert the discussion into big-picture stuff ... but in a few weeks we'll be smack-dab into the offseason, we'll know how the UNH season ended, and we can examine the state of the program past, present and future to our heart's content with full perspective.

But make no mistake - and Ref, I know as a newbie you come from a different perspective, less tainted than many of us who have seen better days with the program - this is no longer a destination program. And it hasn't been since those apex seasons in the early part of the last decade. It's sad but it's true. It can be again, but it's not going to just happen. And Coach Umile (or his eventual successor) isn't going to be able to do it by himself.

This is a cart/horse issue. Times and the U have changed. We can continue selling some of the old (the type and integrity of the program we run, the campus). Depending on who we are recruiting against, not focus on some of the old (the Whitt) as much. We must target recruits who value the new (academic requirements, quality of education). We may not compete for the same type of athlete against the same schools as 15 years ago, but there are plenty of quality players we can attract.

 

[HockeyRef]

I'm leaving it late to jump on the 'bandwagon' but here I am. Watching from afar I've found this to be a very strange team. Beat a big fish, lose to a spratt. But the last two months have been encouraging (Maine series aside) and I go into the playoffs with hope of a good run. But more importantly I wanted to remind those people on here who know me that I'm still blue and white and always following the 'cats! Hello to you all!

Well hello to you too!! Welcome and Go 'Cats!!

 

[Greg A]

Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

FWIW, Middlebury coach Bill Beaney (UNH, '73) formally announced his retirement yesterday. He was captain of the Wildcats the year after Umile was. Clever center as I recall, not much speed but was effective. Of course, he went on to have a very illustrious career coaching at New England College and Middlebury. Wish him the best.

 

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

http://m.seacoastonline.com/article/20020329/Sports/303299954?template=printart

UNH's recruiting success came before the Whitt, starting in 1992 which, coincidentally, was the first year of a young recruiter, McCloskey. UNH got a string of commitments (and almost commitments) based on energy and the feeling the program was on the upswing. One commitment led to another in the early signing period November 1992.

Nov. 5, 1992

The University of New Hampshire has received verbal commitments from two highly-touted hockey players the Democrat has learned. Committing to attend UNH are Eric Boguniecki, a 17-year old forward from West Haven, Conn., and Dean Woodman, a 19-year old defenseman from Mississauga, Ontario. Both players are expected to sign national letter of intents to attend UNH during the NCAA early signing period Nov. 11-18. In order to be accepted into UNH, both athletes must remain in good academic standing throughout the year.
Boguniecki was heavily recruited by the University of Maine. .. “I thought UNH was the place for me,” Boguniecki said. “I had pretty much, UNH in mind since last year.” Boguniecki, a sturdy 5-8, 185 pound center, is a senior at Westminster, a prep school in Simsbury, Conn. He is a member of the U.S. Select 17 team which competed at the Phoenix Cup in Japan, July 29-Aug. 10, against teams from Russia, Canada and Japan. Boguniecki led the U.S. in scoring with two goals and he tied for first in points with thee during the three-game tournament. He was also a member of the U.S. Select 16 team the year before. Boguniecki said he was impressed with the school’s campus and UNH’s coaching staff headed by Dick Umile. “ I wanted to play in Hockey East and I wanted to stay in the East,” he said. “I’m looking forward (to attending UNH). I can’t wait.” Boguniecki, who shoots right, led Westminster to a berth in the Division 1 prep school finals last season. He scored 26 goals and added 39 assists for 65 points. He scored a total of 96 points his freshman and sophomore years at the Gunnery School in Connecticut before transferring to Westminster. Boguniecki is considered one of the top forward recruits in the United States

Nov. 13, 1992

Nolan, a 5-10, 175-pound center from Springfield, Mass., and Larochelle, a 6-1, 180-pound goaltender, selected UNH after visiting the campus last weekend. Nolan is considered the prize jewel of UNH’s recruiting class. A creative playmaker and scorer, the Avon Old Farms forward was among the top recruits in the country. He visited Maine, Boston College and St. Lawrence and was also being recruited by Michigan, Michigan State and Providence.
“I love the coaches,” Nolan said of the UNH staff. “The coaches were just great plus I love the campus. I want to get my degree and help the team win a national championship,” he added. “They’re striving to get better and better every day. I think they’re working toward and striving toward a national championship. I think we can do it in a couple of year.” Nolan is hoping to be an impact player. “I can’t wait to get up there,” he said. Nolan scored 29 goals and dished out 24 assists last season for Avon. As a sophomore, he scored 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists). His older sister, Amy, is a senior at UNH.

Nov. 16, 1992

The final piece of the recruiting puzzle fell into place for the University of New Hampshire men’s hockey team this past weekend. Tim Murray, a skilled 18-year-old defenseman from Calgary, Alberta, signed a national letter of intent to attend UNH on Sunday. Murray, a 6-1, 180-pounder skater, is a member of the Notre Dame Hounds of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. “They showed a lot of interest in me and I like the hockey,” Murray said this morning from Saskatchewan. “I liked the school and the academics.”
Murray visited Kent State and was also being recruited by Michigan State, North Dakota, Clarkson, Notre Dame and Boston University. He has 2 goals and 19 assists in 23 games. “That’s my strength,” he said of the offensive game. The NCAA’s early signing period ends Wednesday and the UNH coaching staff acquired its needs – and then some – by nabbing five top recruits. Also signing letters of intent were forwards Tom Nolan (Springfield, Mass.) and Eric Boguniecki (West Haven, Conn.), defenseman Dean Woodman (Mississauga, Ontario) and goaltender Brian Larochelle (Manchester, N.H.). Murray is expected to contribute immediately next season. Murray visited the UNH campus Nov. 6-7 and witnessed UNH’s 4-4 tie with Air Force and the first period of UNH’s 6-3 win the next night over the Falcons before departing for a flight home. Murray said he was impressed with UNH’s style of play and the atmosphere inside Snively Arena. “It was pretty wild,” he said. “I really enjoyed it.” Notre Dame is the former school of current UNH sophomore Eric Flinton. “Tim Murray is doing very well for us,” Hounds head coach Dave Kenney said. “He is an excellent, excellent hockey player. He is an extremely strong skater. He sees the ice very, very well. Overall he’s a skilled player.” He is going to be an impact player,” Kenney added. Kenney said National Hockey League scouts are very high on Murray. Murray said he’s not worried about where he might be selected in the next amateur draft. “I’ve heard a little bit but I’m not concerned about it,” Murray said.

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

To Greg's "winning begets winning" and Chuck's "success breeds success" points, in a long ago interview Coach stated that Boguniecki's commitment opened the recruiting success door.

 

[Greg A]

Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

To Greg's "winning begets winning" and Chuck's "success breeds success" points, in a long ago interview Coach stated that Boguniecki's commitment opened the recruiting success door.

To your point and Watcher's, the big gets that they got in Boguniecki, Nolan, Murray, etc. were IMO precipitated by the improvement that UNH enjoyed over the previous four seasons. These signings were announced in the fall of 1992 which, ironically, turned out to be a down year for UNH. However they were preceded by the success the Class of 1992, which made the Hockey East final for the first time in league history and made the NCAA tournament for the first time in 9 years. I wonder how much of a look these guys would have given UNH if McCloskey had been unable to point to this new era of UNH Hockey.

 

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

To your point and Watcher's, the big gets that they got in Boguniecki, Nolan, Murray, etc. were IMO precipitated by the improvement that UNH enjoyed over the previous four seasons. These signings were announced in the fall of 1992 which, ironically, turned out to be a down year for UNH. However they were preceded by the success the Class of 1992, which made the Hockey East final for the first time in league history and made the NCAA tournament for the first time in 9 years. I wonder how much of a look these guys would have given UNH if McCloskey had been unable to point to this new era of UNH Hockey.

The 1992 class, or as it is known, Bob Kullen's second recruiting class. Then there was a big gap between 1988 and 1991, during which the team focused on "hard working northeast suburb" kids -- Thomson, Chebator, Malone, Cooper, Sean Perry, Rob Donovan, Jim McGrath, etc. Fortunately Umile took a chance on an unproven youngster, McCloskey, who actually can recruit and sell Umile to kids.

So, you have great recruting in Kullen's two years 1987 and 1988, then Umile demonstrated weak recruiting his first three years, then a good period under McCloskey 1992-2002, then a fall-off of recruiting when McCloskey left. Bottom line, his predecessor recruited well in his short period, but Umile's ability to recruit without McCloskey is pretty well established.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

Ref, you have to understand that folks like me, most of whom don't post ever, have a deep attachment to UNH Hockey and have for decades. I am lucid enough to understand that it is only a sport, and that these are only college kids, and there are lot more important things in the world. But UNH has been serious about men's hockey since they elevated to D1 in 1968. If they weren't they wouldn't be touting their NCAA appearances and the excellence of the players who have come through the program. My beef is that somehow they have lost their way and, in the process, seemed to have lost their commitment to excel. Based on my observations of the freshmen class, I am cautiously optimistic for next year. But they can't have a complete whiff like the junior class. They need to have at least a couple of next year's freshmen approximate what some of this year's freshmen have become.

I don't have to understand, I do understand! I know where you are coming from completely. Question: who has lost their commitment to excel? The coaches? The AD? And as it's already been pointed out I don't have the back ground being so new to this to even hold a half lucid convo about the past but I get it. I may not have 30 years in this but have already have an attachment to this program. I'm in it for the NOW and for the FUTURE. What I think, without making an assumption, is that regardless of where we are in this process (time wise), we care about the program and want desperately ? to see it succeed. At least, that's my stake in this whole thing. As a fan (first time season tix holder and FOMH member) I want and fully expect UNH to make the smartest choices they can in bringing in the best players possible. I have faith that those doing the recruiting are doing just that. Now onward 'Cats and take care of business this weekend!!!

Article: Why Not UNH??

http://unhwildcats.com/sports/blog/2014-15/releases/169

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Wildcats Official Wait til Next Year...14/15 thread

"Slow start, strong finish: New Hampshire carries hot streak into playoffs" by Jim Connelly