UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015

[Greg A]

Re: UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015

It's hard to disagree with 90% of what Dan's said above. And I too have no idea how much of the regression over the last decade plus lands on his plate, as opposed to his bosses' plates (including those who set broader policy at the school).

But it's exciting to see UNH getting younger - yet experienced - coaches on board to handle recruiting.

If someone had told me two years ago Coach Umile would be adding two relatively young alums to his staff, and one of them wasn't going to be Pat Foley ... ... hey, just goes to show, sometimes you never know, good luck to Stewie and Sousie.

Agree with you Chuck, on all counts. Dan, the one thing in your post that i disagree with is the implication that Lanny Gare et al were Borek's recruits. They were no doubt committed to UNH long before Borek signed on and should be credited to McCloskey and Lassonde. The thrust is the same though. Borek had some serious whiffs in his career at UNH (i.e. the current senior class) as well as the texting issue. IMO he did Umile a favor by leaving, if this is, in fact, the case.

 

[Greg A]

Re: UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015

And, "must listen Felger and Murray" radio show this coming season.

So, I am taking a 'tweener position on recruiting between Dan and CHC.

McCloskey left the men's team for the 2002-03 season, so his impact on those four FFs cannot be dismissed. But, note that the 2002-03 recruiting class, which presumably was McCloskey's, was nothing to write home about: Yandle, Leach, Kolanos, and Pietrasiak. The 2003-04 recruiting class was better, with McFlikier, Winnik, and Brett Hemingway (also, Travis, Ciocco, Vinz, Hutchins, Chris Murray, Doherty, and Bucchino). Were most of these recruits also McCloskey's?

2004-05 (Borek's?): Radja, Fortunaro, Switzer, Flaishans, Pouliot, Regan

2005-06: Trevor Smith, Pollastrone, Fortney, Fritsch, Greg Collins, Charlebois, Kapstad, and Alan Thompson

2005-2006 is a long time ago

 

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015

McCloskey Hired 1992
Commit Date First Name Last Name JrTeam League Year
11/4/1992 Dean Woodman Wexford Raiders MJBHL 1993
11/4/1992 Eric Boguniecki Westminster Prep NEPSAC 1993
11/12/1992 Tom Nolan Avon Old Farms NEPSAC 1993
11/13/1992 Brian Larochelle Phillips Exeter NEPSAC 1993
11/15/1992 Tim Murray Notre Dame Hounds SJHL 1993
10/15/1993 Rob Gagnon Avon Old Farms NEPSAC 1994
11/15/1993 Pat Bottino NECDL Classics EJHL 1994
11/30/1993 Eric Nickulas Cushing Prep NEPSAC 1994
12/15/1993 Mark Mowers Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL 1994
6/10/1994 Dylan Dellezay Sherwood Park Crusaders AJHL 1994
11/22/1994 Derek Bekar Powell River Kings BCJHL 1995
11/22/1994 Ryan Harris Culver Military Prep 1995
11/28/1994 Steve O'Brien Catholic Memorial MA HS 1995
2/21/1995 Brad Erbsland NECDL Classics EJHL 1995
3/17/1995 Jason Krog Chilliwack Chiefs BCJHL 1995
4/4/1995 Christian Bragnalo Thunder Bay Flyers USHL 1995
6/5/1995 Chad Onufrechuk Chilliwack Chiefs BCJHL 1995
7/2/1995 Mike Souza Wakefield MA HS 1996
7/10/1995 Ryan Bencurik Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 1995
8/20/1995 Sean Matile Vernon Lakers BCJHL 1995
1/14/1996 Jayme Filipowicz Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL 1996
1/27/1996 John Sadowski Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL 1996
1/28/1996 Jay Shipulski Tabor Academy NEPSAC 1996
1/28/1996 Eric Soltys Notre Dame Hounds SJHL 1997
2/5/1996 Brad English Powell River Paper Kings BCHL 1996
3/6/1996 Dan Enders Green Bay Gamblers USHL 1996
7/10/1996 Eric Lind Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 1997
8/11/1996 Brendon McEniry Weyburn Red Wings SJHL 1996
10/4/1996 Sean Austin Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 1997
2/7/1997 Mark White Avon Old Farms NEPSAC 1997
2/25/1997 Corey-Joe Ficek St.Pauls Prep NEPSAC 1997
3/2/1997 Matt Swain Oakville Blades OPJHL 1997
3/25/1997 Matt Carney Phillips Exeter NEPSAC 1999
5/14/1997 Ty Conklin Green Bay Gamblers USHL 1997
5/15/1997 Johnny Rogers Wexford Raiders MJBHL 1997
8/28/1997 Ryan Cordeiro Catholic Memorial MA HS 1998
.......[McCloskey at Dartmouth 97-98]
7/11/1998 Kevin Truelson Archbishop Williams MA HS 1999
9/16/1998 Patrick Foley US National U-17 USHL 1999
10/11/1998 Garrett Stafford Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 1999
11/12/1998 Lanny Gare Vernon Vipers BCHL 1999
12/30/1998 Colin Hemingway Surrey Eagles BCHL 1999
2/13/1999 Jim Abbott St.Louis Sting NAHL 1999
4/11/1999 Josh Prudden Phillips Exeter NEPSAC 1999
4/16/1999 Tyler Scott Upper Canada College Prep 1999
7/10/1999 Mick Mounsey Avon Old Farms NEPSAC 2000
8/3/1999 Steve Saviano Reading MA HS 2000
10/7/1999 Mike Lubesnick Sioux Falls Stampede USHL 2000
11/18/1999 Nathan Martz Chilliwack Chiefs BCHL 2000
12/1/1999 Travis Banga Chilliwack Chiefs BCHL 2000
12/3/1999 Robbie Barker Sioux Falls USHL 2001
12/6/1999 Michael Ayers Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL 2000
3/3/2000 Justin Aikins Langley Hornets BCHL 2001
3/8/2000 Tim Horst Cedar Rapids Roughriders USHL 2000
6/10/2000 Sean Collins Reading MA HS 2001
6/14/2000 Ed Caron Phillips Exeter NEPSAC 2001
6/21/2000 Preston Callander Lincoln Stars USHL 2001
7/5/2000 Matt Hoppe Cedar Rapids Roughriders USHL 2000
11/15/2000 Tyson Teplitsky Nanaimo Clippers BCHL 2001
5/9/2001 Brian Yandle Cushing Prep NEPSAC 2002
6/6/2001 Michael Hutchins Des Moines Bucaneers USHL 2002
8/6/2001 Jeff Pietrasiak Berkshire Prep NEPSAC 2002
2/27/2002 Andrew Leach Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 2002
3/29/2002 A.J. Bucchino Avon Old Farms NEPSAC 2003
4/22/2002 Brett Hemingway Coquitlam Express BCHL 2003
5/3/2002 Mark Kolanos Calgary Royals AJHL 2002
5/9/2002 Daniel Winnik Wexford Raiders OPJHL 2003

BOREK Hired 6/17/2002
Commit Date First Name Last Name JrTeam League Year
7/29/2002 Dan Travis Deerfield Prep NEPSAC 2003
7/29/2002 Kevin Regan Waterloo Black Hawks USHL 2004
9/12/2002 Jacob Micflikier Sioux Falls Stampede USHL 2003
9/30/2002 Brian Pouliot Cedar Rapids Roughriders USHL 2004
10/15/2002 Matt Fornataro Waterloo Black Hawks USHL 2004
10/29/2002 Josh Ciocco Vernon Vipers BCHL 2003
11/2/2002 John Doherty NH Jr.Monarchs EJHL 2003
2/11/2003 Mike Radja Waterloo Black Hawks USHL 2004
2/22/2003 Chris Murray Cushing Prep NEPSAC 2003
4/1/2003 Shawn Vinz Cedar Rapids USHL 2003
5/22/2003 Kevin Kapstad Governor Dummer NEPSAC 2005
8/26/2003 Alan Thompson Chicago Steel USHL 2005
10/22/2003 Jerry Pollastrone Salisbury Prep NEPSAC 2005
11/25/2003 Brad Flaishans Texas Tornado NAHL 2004
11/27/2003 Greg Collins Cedar Rapids Roughriders USHL 2005
11/29/2003 Craig Switzer Salmon Arm Silverbacks BCHL 2004
12/13/2003 Keith Yandle Cushing Prep NEPSAC 2005
3/3/2004 Peter Leblanc Hamilton Red Wings OPJHL 2006
4/27/2004 Brian Foster NH Jr.Monarchs EJHL 2006
8/19/2004 Mike Borisenok Green Bay Gamblers USHL 2008
10/28/2004 Trevor Smith Omaha Lancers USHL 2005
11/9/2004 Thomas Fortney Waterloo Black Hawks USHL 2005
1/27/2005 Joe Charlebois Sioux City Musketeers USHL 2005
3/1/2005 Jamie Fritsch NH Jr.Monarchs EJHL 2005
4/21/2005 Kirk Manke Capital District EJHL 2005
6/10/2005 Nick Krates Omaha Lancers USHL 2006
9/4/2005 Bobby Butler Boston Jr.Bruins EJHL 2006
11/4/2005 Danny Rossman Jr.Warriors EJHL 2006
11/19/2005 David Kolomatis USNDPT 2007
11/21/2005 James Van Riemsdyk USNDPT 2007
1/8/2006 Phil DeSimone Sioux City Musketeers USHL 2007
7/24/2006 Will O'Neill Omaha Lancers USHL 2007
9/4/2006 Steve Moses Boston Jr.Bruins EJHL 2008
9/4/2006 Greg Burke Cedar Rapids Roughriders USHL 2009
10/18/2006 Paul Thompson NH Jr.Monarchs EJHL 2007
1/4/2007 Mike Beck Sioux City Musketeers USHL 2007
1/16/2007 Blake Kessel Waterloo Black Hawks USHL 2008
1/18/2007 Mike Sislo Green Bay Gamblers USHL 2007
2/2/2007 Matt Campanale Green Mountain Glades EJHL 2007
3/2/2007 Matt White Omaha Lancers USHL 2009
3/20/2007 Greg Manz Choate Prep NEPSAC 2007
3/22/2007 Matt Digirolamo Waterloo Black Hawks USHL 2008
4/7/2007 Danny Dries Cedar Rapids Roughriders USHL 2007
4/19/2007 Danny Vranek Eden Prairie MN HS 2007
6/4/2007 Kevin McCarey USNDPT 2008
9/4/2007 Ryan Bourque USNDPT 2009
12/10/2007 John Henrion USNDPT 2009
12/18/2007 Damon Kipp Salmon Arm Silverbacks BCHL 2008
2/10/2008 Tyler Scott South Kent NEPSAC 2008
2/18/2008 Brett Kostolansky Chicago Steel USHL 2009
2/18/2008 Joey Laleggia Penticton Vees BCHL 2010
4/15/2008 Connor Hardowa Spruce Grove Saints AJHL 2009
7/30/2008 Grayson Downing Westside Warriors BCHL 2011
9/6/2008 Jeff Silengo Sioux City Musketeers USHL 2010
10/7/2008 Cam Reid Westside Warriors BCHL 2009
12/15/2008 Eric Chevrier Cushing Prep NEPSAC 2011
1/22/2009 Kyle Smith Boston Jr.Bruins EJHL 2012
2/8/2009 Justin Agosta Indiana Ice USHL 2010
3/3/2009 Nick Sorkin Waterloo Black Hawks USHL 2010
3/4/2009 Jamie Hill Waterloo Black Hawks USHL 2012
3/15/2009 Jeff Wyer Valley Jr.Warriors EJHL 2010
4/28/2009 Scott Pavelski Waterloo Black Hawks USHL 2009
5/5/2009 Ansel Ivens-Anderson NJ Hitmen EJHL 2009
5/8/2009 Austin Block Fairbanks Ice Dogs NAHL 2009
8/1/2009 Cody Campbell Cedar Rapids Roughriders USHL 2011
8/4/2009 Dalton Speelman Green Bay Gamblers USHL 2009
8/24/2009 Eric Knodel Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 2010
10/7/2009 Kevin Goumas Indiana Ice USHL 2010
10/28/2009 Casey Thrush Muskegon Lumberjacks USHL 2011
11/20/2009 Jay Camper Chicago Steel USHL 2011
1/13/2010 Trevor Van Riemsdyk NH Jr.Monarchs EJHL 2011
3/25/2010 Mike Vecchione Tri-City Storm USHL 2012
4/18/2010 Maxim Gaudreault Sioux City Musketeers USHL 2012
10/19/2010 Dan Correale Nanaimo Clippers BCHL 2012
10/20/2010 Dylan Maller Tri-City Storm USHL 2013
10/28/2010 Casey DeSmith Indiana Ice USHL 2011
12/28/2010 Brett Pesce NJ Hitmen EJHL 2012
12/29/2010 Ryan Randall NH Jr.Monarchs EJHL 2011
12/29/2010 Tyler Kelleher USNDPT USHL 2013
1/22/2011 Matt Willows NJ Hitmen EJHL 2011
2/9/2011 Andrew Poturalski Cedar Rapids Roughriders USHL 2014
2/11/2011 Mike McNicholas Vernon Vipers BCHL 2014
3/17/2011 Matias Cleland Waterloo Black Hawks USHL 2013
8/24/2011 Collin MacDonald NJ Hitmen EJHL 2012
8/26/2011 Shane Eiserman Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL 2014
8/29/2011 Jordan Masters NJ Hitmen EJHL 2014
9/18/2011 Jason Kalinowski Cedar Rapids Roughriders USHL 2015
12/14/2011 Harry Quast Bay State Breakers EJHL 2012
2/16/2012 Jamie Regan Philadelphia Revolution EJHL 2012
2/21/2012 Dylan Chanter Merritt Centennials BCHL 2014
4/4/2012 Cameron Marks Coquitlam Express BCHL 2014
8/17/2012 Charlie Kelleher Jr.Bruins USPHL 2016
8/27/2012 Patrick Grasso Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 2015
9/10/2012 Liam Darcy Green Bay Gamblers USHL 2016
9/25/2012 Adam Clark Salmon Arm Silverbacks BCHL 2014
10/12/2012 Joseph Masonius USNDPT 2015
11/16/2012 Brendan Van Riemsdyk Middlesex Islanders USPHL 2015
2/18/2013 Warren Foegele St.Andrews College Prep 2014
3/22/2013 Danny Tirone Cedar Rapids Roughriders USHL 2015
4/2/2013 Ara Nazarian Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 2015
4/23/2013 Collin Bourque NE Wolves Atlantic 2013
5/30/2013 Jason Salvaggio Indiana Ice USHL 2014
6/10/2013 Nick Nonis Powell River Kings BCHL 2016
8/1/2013 Rich Boyd Cushing Prep NEPSAC 2014
8/19/2013 Aaron O'Neill Green Bay Gamblers USHL 2017
9/11/2013 John Furgele NJ Hitmen USPHL 2014
9/25/2013 Marcus Vela Langley Rivermen BCHL 2016
11/20/2013 Chris Miller Boston jr.Bruins USPHL 2016
2/25/2014 Justin Fregona Langley Rivermen BCHL 2016
3/29/2014 Joey Cipollone 2017
4/9/2014 Jake Ryczek Sioux City Musketeers USHL 2017
7/8/2014 Eric Esposito 2017
8/13/2014 Mike Robinson Boston Jr.Bruins USPHL 2017
10/6/2014 Liam Blackburn West Kelowna Warriors BCHL 2016
10/16/2014 Jason O'Neill USHL 2017
12/14/2014 Joel Farabee 2019
1/29/2015 Frankie Cefalu Walpole Express EHL 2015

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015

Now that is some data right there.

 

[HockeyRef]

Just curious whether Borek texted Kawaguchi the news and said see ya in Providence...

I bet that this happens all the time with recruiters who move. I won't get into specifics but I know for a fact that one of our asst coaches ,definitely convinced a recruit who was initially going to their past college to come to UNH.... Sold the player on the history of the program and the facilities...
Not saying this happened here with our most recent de-commit. I have no idea what's up with Kawaguchi.
I would imagine kids and their families develop a close relationship over the process...and maybe a player would follow a coach.
We have a school secretary who's son played for Colby; he was recruited by Jim Tortorella. (While he was there) She told me at one of their hockey banquets his name came up several times with the out going Seniors even though he had already moved on to UNH...Just an example of this relationship that can develop between player and recruiter FWIW dept!!!

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015

I bet that this happens all the time with recruiters who move. I won't get into specifics but I know for a fact that one of our asst coaches (wink) definitely convinced a recruit who was initially going to their past college to come to UNH.... Sold the player on the history of the program and the facilities...
Not saying this happened here but would imagine kids and their families develop a close relationship over the process...

Where did this player end up after UNH admissions denied them?

 

[HockeyRef]

Where did this player end up after UNH admissions denied them?

The player is an incoming recruit I believe this year..

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015

Agree with you Chuck, on all counts. Dan, the one thing in your post that i disagree with is the implication that Lanny Gare et al were Borek's recruits. They were no doubt committed to UNH long before Borek signed on and should be credited to McCloskey and Lassonde. The thrust is the same though. Borek had some serious whiffs in his career at UNH (i.e. the current senior class) as well as the texting issue. IMO he did Umile a favor by leaving, if this is, in fact, the case.

I should have specified - but that was my point. I posted the results from Borek's first year to show the success of the forward group he inherited from previous recruiters. Sorry.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015

Nope, zero chance he is slowing down
No one will be playing unless he is his guy. Yes, assistants are bird dogging all over the place and screening but no rubber stamping. Miller is one of the top guys ever, they call him the architect. Maybe he is and a good one at that but the GC of the job is Leaman and he inspects every piece of wood multiple times. The team will be Leamans. Assistants can an will come and go, Russell, Barr, Miller and so on. All very good ones. But the process, success and team is Leaman. He could have a mannequin on the bench and win

You guys are gonna hate me for this ... but I agree 100%. Guys like Leaman don't get where they are in their profession by accident. They are typically workaholics and control freaks - especially when they are put in situations where there is no real prior history of top level success. They understand that coasting and delegating are not options, like they might be at bigger established programs where the history of the program does a lot of the "work" for you.

The idea that Leaman - still a relatively young guy - will now start to ease off, having reached the pinnacle of his profession (at least at the college level), is laughable. I'm sure gradually over time, he will probably develop a trust level in a key assistant(s) - whether that's Borek and/or someone else - and then begin to SLOWLY ease up just a little bit. Let's not forget - he cut his teeth under Walshy, and while Walshy did have his go-to guy in Standbrook, SW was not exactly the senatorial delegating type. The guy lived his job, and there's every reason to believe a young Nate Leaman took careful notes as a volunteer assistant for the '99 UMaine National Champions, and is putting that knowledge and experience into action every day since.

UNH's long term challenge is to find the next Leaman or Bazin. Easier said than done. Over to you, BS35+2 ...

 

[Greg A]

Re: UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015

, UNH's long term challenge is to find the next Leaman or Bazin. Easier said than done. Over to you, BS35+2 ...

Well, assuming reports are correct, it is either Stewart or Souza. So what's the consensus? Is this a coach off over the next few years, with the winner getting the coveted recommendation from the coach? While both of these guys are UNH alums, what I really like is that both of them have had exposure to other ways of coaching and recruiting. Both played professionally and both have assisted at more than one school besides UNH. Hopefully that brings a fresher approach that what, unfortunately, we have seen over the past few years. Rooting for both of them because, if they do well, UNH does also.

 

[HockeyRef]

Well, assuming reports are correct, it is either Stewart or Souza. So what's the consensus? Is this a coach off over the next few years, with the winner getting the coveted recommendation from the coach? While both of these guys are UNH alums, what I really like is that both of them have had exposure to other ways of coaching and recruiting. Both played professionally and both have assisted at more than one school besides UNH. Hopefully that brings a fresher approach that what, unfortunately, we have seen over the past few years. Rooting for both of them because, if they do well, UNH does also.

Guess that depends on how much longer Coach U is on board and what type of job search the Athetic Admin wants to do? You guys have been in this game years longer than me is it the norm to go with the assistant when the head coach position comes open? Providing that assistant has what it takes to be head coach?

Didn't know Leaman had exoerience in Maine under Shawn Walsh. Guess he knows what it takes to build a championship team eh?
Like you Greg I am encouraged by the two and look forward to seeing what's next for our 'Cats! (My choice? Mike Ayers...) EDIT: Rand Pecknold agree with 'Watcher...

Would hate to think that the two would 'compete' against the other for this coveted spot in such a way that it could/would create visible friction..

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015

the '99 UMaine National Champions,

Jeezuz Chuck, you left out the asterisk. Terrible.

 

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015

I would be surprised if either of these two are the presumptive successors. Hopefully they make it an easy choice, but lets look: Souza has been coaching since 2011, and Stewart has not established his chops at a top 5 HE program. Depending on when Umile decides to walk away, we might have a better idea, but I would expect them to look outside the current assistants. Throw in pro scouts Mark Mowers, Steve Leach, Steve Pleau, Tom Nolan and Christian Bragnalo at Shattuck. Not a lot else in the Umile coaching tree, as he rarely had a volunteer assistant like other coaches (Greg Cronin, Bruce Crowder, Tim Whitehead, Dave Nonis, Nate Leaman, Guy Perron and Gene Reilly were Walshy's "voluteer" assistants before they moved up in the world)

From outside the "tree", Ric Bennett (under long contract), Rand Pecknold (unlikely given the money); Billy Riga, Andrew Will, Salisbury Prep. Former Merrimack assistant Darryn Yopyk.

Of course, the big play would be Penticton's head coach, Fred Harbinson, a 44 year old would be perfect age, recruiting ability and BCHL connections, but he has a good thing going up in and would need money.

 

[The Zlax45]

Re: UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015

You guys are gonna hate me for this ... but I agree 100%. Guys like Leaman don't get where they are in their profession by accident. They are typically workaholics and control freaks - especially when they are put in situations where there is no real prior history of top level success. They understand that coasting and delegating are not options, like they might be at bigger established programs where the history of the program does a lot of the "work" for you.

The idea that Leaman - still a relatively young guy - will now start to ease off, having reached the pinnacle of his profession (at least at the college level), is laughable. I'm sure gradually over time, he will probably develop a trust level in a key assistant(s) - whether that's Borek and/or someone else - and then begin to SLOWLY ease up just a little bit. Let's not forget - he cut his teeth under Walshy, and while Walshy did have his go-to guy in Standbrook, SW was not exactly the senatorial delegating type. The guy lived his job, and there's every reason to believe a young Nate Leaman took careful notes as a volunteer assistant for the '99 UMaine National Champions, and is putting that knowledge and experience into action every day since.

UNH's long term challenge is to find the next Leaman or Bazin. Easier said than done. Over to you, BS35+2 ...

Leaman has been going through assistant coaches like water since going to PC!

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015

"Scott Borek Becomes Associate Head Coach at Providence"

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015

Leaman has been going through assistant coaches like water since going to PC!

Any speculation why that is? Seems that assistants come and go in alot of places, well, not UNH in recent years but in others.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015

"Scott Borek Becomes Associate Head Coach at Providence"

Way to get it out there C-H-C!!

 

[Greg A]

Re: UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015

I would be surprised if either of these two are the presumptive successors. Hopefully they make it an easy choice, but lets look: Souza has been coaching since 2011, and Stewart has not established his chops at a top 5 HE program. Depending on when Umile decides to walk away, we might have a better idea, but I would expect them to look outside the current assistants. Throw in pro scouts Mark Mowers, Steve Leach, Steve Pleau, Tom Nolan and Christian Bragnalo at Shattuck. Not a lot else in the Umile coaching tree, as he rarely had a volunteer assistant like other coaches (Greg Cronin, Bruce Crowder, Tim Whitehead, Dave Nonis, Nate Leaman, Guy Perron and Gene Reilly were Walshy's "voluteer" assistants before they moved up in the world)

From outside the "tree", Ric Bennett (under long contract), Rand Pecknold (unlikely given the money); Billy Riga, Andrew Will, Salisbury Prep. Former Merrimack assistant Darryn Yopyk.

Of course, the big play would be Penticton's head coach, Fred Harbinson, a 44 year old would be perfect age, recruiting ability and BCHL connections, but he has a good thing going up in and would need money.

Years ago Marty Scarano told me that, when the time came, he would only hire a coach who had prior Division 1 head coaching experience. Of course, that statement was given to me some 10-12 years ago when UNH was at their peak of popularity and success. Even more years ago than that, I asked Bruce Crowder why he would apply for the Dartmouth job (this is when he was at Maine and before Dartmouth hired Bob Gaudet ). He told me that there are only 42 jobs (I think that was the number back then) in the country and he'd be foolish not to apply to every one that came open.

Lot of speculation here in terms of when Umile will retire but, assuming he does so within the next 2-3 years, the job opening will not come with a lack of applicants. The big question is how many will be D1 coaches, how many will be hot shot assistants, and how many will come from other levels of hockey (juniors, prep, etc.). And what will be the weeding out process? Will it be more the top level applicants looking at the pay scale, the amenities for athletes, the support in the classroom, etc. and figure out it is not worth it? Or will UNH have to look at the group of applicants an realize that the real creme de la creme is just not interested. I don't think it will come to that but I do think the next couple of years are big for UNH, to be seen again as a program on the rise rather than just floundering around.

 

[bomberhockey]

Agree with you Chuck, on all counts. Dan, the one thing in your post that i disagree with is the implication that Lanny Gare et al were Borek's recruits. They were no doubt committed to UNH long before Borek signed on and should be credited to McCloskey and Lassonde. The thrust is the same though. Borek had some serious whiffs in his career at UNH (i.e. the current senior class) as well as the texting issue. IMO he did Umile a favor by leaving, if this is, in fact, the case.

McFlicker was his first recruit. And was email software not texts.

 

[Greg A]

Re: UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015

McFlicker was his first recruit. And was email software not texts.

That's right, no texting back then. But the point is the same. Sloppy job.