New Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey

Last updated
New Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey
Hockey current event.svg Current season
UNH Wildcats.png
University University of New Hampshire
Conference Hockey East
Head coach Michael Souza
7th season, 7810321 (.440)
Assistant coaches
Arena Whittemore Center
Durham, New Hampshire
ColorsBlue, gray, and white [1]
     
NCAA Tournament Runner-up
1999, 2003
NCAA Tournament Frozen Four
1977, 1979, 1982, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003
NCAA Tournament appearances
1977, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013
Conference Tournament championships
1979, 2002, 2003
Conference regular season championships
1992, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010
Current uniform
HE-Uniform-UNH.png

The New Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents the University of New Hampshire. The Wildcats are a member of Hockey East. They play at the Whittemore Center Arena in Durham, New Hampshire. [2]

Contents

History

Early years

The first New Hampshire ice hockey team played in January 1925, winning its first two games in a contest held in Lewiston, Maine. [3] A year later, under the stewardship of Ernest Christensen, UNH played its first home game at the UNH ice rink, an outdoor facility that was completely dependent on cold weather for its surface. The Wildcats would play a small number of games for their first 15 seasons, fluctuating between an undefeated season in 1927 and a winless campaign in 1932. Christensen retired in 1938 and the team eventually came under the tutelage of Anthony Dougal but his tenure was suspended in 1943 due to the outbreak of World War II. The team finally returned to the ice in January 1947 with Dougal remaining for one year before handing the program over to Joseph Petroski. Horace "Pepper" Martin took over after four rather poor seasons and New Hampshire's fortunes began to change. By the mid-1950s the Wildcats started to play more and win more games than they ever had before and in 1955 an artificial ice rink was constructed on campus to help the team play more than a handful of home games. [4]

ECAC

In 1961 New Hampshire was one of 28 schools that were founding members of ECAC Hockey. Martin turned the team over to A. Barr Snively and plans were underway to replace the Harry C. Batchelder Rink with an indoor ice rink. In the offseason of 1964, two events happened that hampered the ice hockey program. First, in April, head coach Snively suffered a heart attack and tragically died. [5] With the school searching for a replacement the ECAC announced that it was dividing itself into two separate tiers. 'Major' programs would continue on with ECAC Hockey but 'minor' schools would be forced to join the newly-formed ECAC 2. Because their indoor facility had not yet been completed New Hampshire was forced out of the top tier. Rube Bjorkman was eventually named as head coach and he led the team for four years. During his tenure, the indoor arena was completed and christened as the Snively Arena after his late predecessor and a year later the program was readmitted into the top echelon of college hockey.

It was Bjorkman's successor, Charlie Holt, who put New Hampshire on the college hockey map. In Holt's first season UNH played its first postseason game, earning Holt his first of three Spencer Penrose Awards. In his first five seasons, the Wildcats finished with a winning record and then won the ECAC regular season championship in his sixth year. The Wildcats made their first NCAA appearance in 1977 and captured their first Conference championship two years later, but no matter how good Holt's teams were national success continued to elude him. under Holt the Wildcats went 0–6 in the frozen four and 2–8 in the tournament overall. While the wins started to come few and far between in the mid-1980s Holt continued to helm the program as it left ECAC Hockey to form Hockey East with six other northeastern schools.

Bob Kullen

Holt stepped down in 1986 and was replaced by long-time assistant Bob Kullen. In his first year the team saw marginal improvement but that summer Kullen was diagnosed with a rare form of heart disease that necessitated a transplant and his missing an entire season to recuperate. [6] Dave O'Connor served as the interim head coach for 1987–88 allowing Kullen to return in the fall of '88. In two years New Hampshire saw its wins total improve to 12 and then 17 but by 1990 Kullen started rejecting his new heart and was forced to resign. Another UNH assistant, Dick Umile, was named as his replacement and unfortunately, Kullen died in November 1990 at the age of 41. Hockey East swiftly renamed its coach of the year award in his honor while the team continued the upward swing he began, allowing Umile to be the first recipient of the rechristened award.

Umile years

In Umile second season New Hampshire made the NCAA tournament for the first time in almost a decade and retroactively finished first in the conference after Maine was forced to forfeit 13 games. The team continued to play well for several seasons but after a disappointing season in 1996, the team won its first Hockey East Championship and set a new program record with 28 wins. The following year the Wildcats made the Frozen Four for the first time in 16 years and then reached even higher in 1999. in the penultimate year of the millennium the Wildcats won 30 games for the first time, establishing a still-record of 31 victories (as of 2019), winning their second conference title (first outright) and were led by sophomore goaltender Ty Conklin and senior center Jason Krog, the latter won the NCAA scoring title by 16 points and captured the Hobey Baker Award (UNH's only recipient as of 2019). Despite losing in the Hockey East tournament finale The team received the #2 overall seed and a bye into the second round. The Wildcats defeated two Michigan schools to reach their first national championship game where they would ultimately fall in overtime to conference rival Maine.

UNH would continue to be a power in Hockey East, winning back to back conference championships in 2002 and 2003 and reached their second NCAA title game in '03 where they lost to Minnesota, 5-1. UNH would make the NCAA tournament every year from 2002 through 2011 but the team could not make it out of the Regionals after 2003. Starting in 2012 the program began a slow decline, ending up dead-last in the conference in 2017–18. After that season Umile decided to retire, leaving the school as the all-time leader in just about every coaching category and recording the third most wins all-time for one school at the Division I level.

Umile's final act for the program was to name his successor, allowing 1999 alumnus Michael Souza to become the 14th head coach in program history.

John "Jack" French

After his tour of duty in the US Navy, he worked at the UNH as the Athletic Equipment Manager for a total of 38 years from 1963-2001. He was beloved by the students and staff and holds the record for most games attended including hockey, football, baseball and basketball. He was a member of the Athletic Equipment Managers Association.

Seasons

[7]

Head coaches

As of the completion of 2023–24 season [8]

TenureCoachYearsRecordPct.
1924–1925 Hank Swasey 12–2–0.500
1925–1936, 1937–1938 Ernest Christensen 1255–54–8.504
1936–1937 Carl Lundholm 13–5–0.375
1938–1939 George Thurston 15–4–0.556
1939–1943, 1946–1947 Anthony Dougal 515–28–0.349
1947–1951 Joseph Petroski 49–20–0.310
1951–1962 Horace "Pepper" Martin 1176–76–3.500
1962–1964 A. Barr Snively 223–22–0.511
1964–1968 Rube Bjorkman 457–40–0.588
1968–1986 Charlie Holt 18347–232–18.596
1986–1987, 1988–1990 Bob Kullen 437–66–8.369
1987–1988 Dave O'Connor 17–20–3.283
1990–2018 Dick Umile 28598–375–114.603
2018–Present Michael Souza 678–102–21.440
Totals14 coaches98 seasons1312–1039–175.554

Statistical Leaders

Source: [9]

Career points leaders

PlayerYearsGPGAPtsPIM
Ralph Cox 1975–1979128127116243
Jason Krog 1995–199915194144238
Darren Haydar 1998–2002158102117219
Jamie Hislop 1972–197611977132209
Mark Mowers 1994–199814485112197
Louis Frigon 1967–1971899895193
Bob Gould 1975–197913591101192
Cliff Cox 1972–19761088788175
Jon Fontas 1974–197810772102174
Frank Roy 1975–197913171103174
Joe Flanagan 1988–19921408589174

Career goaltending leaders

GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

minimum 30 games played

PlayerYearsGPMinWLTGASOSV%GAA
Ty Conklin 1998–20019355805723122021.9152.18
Kevin Regan 2004–200811265997029102509.9282.27
Casey DeSmith 2011–2014975637483682189.9232.32
Jeff Pietrasiak 2002–2006552904271361192.9172.46
Mike Ayers 2000–2004102575558251223912.9142.49

Statistics current through the start of the 2019–20 season.

Current roster

As of August 24, 2024. [10]

No. S/P/CPlayerClassPosHeightWeightDoBHometownPrevious teamNHL rights
2 Flag of New York.svg Jack BabbageSenior D 6' 1" (1.85 m)185 lb (84 kg)2000-08-30 Tully, New York Quinnipiac  ( ECAC )
3 Flag of Massachusetts.svg Conor LovettSenior F 5' 11" (1.8 m)200 lb (91 kg)2001-04-07 Franklin, Massachusetts Cedar Rapids RoughRiders  ( USHL )
5 Flag of New York.svg Zach HahnSophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m)205 lb (93 kg)2002-08-06 Huntington, New York P.A.L. Jr. Islanders  ( NCDC )
6 Flag of Latvia.svg Marty LaviņšSophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m)185 lb (84 kg)2003-04-10 Riga, Latvia Cedar Rapids RoughRiders  ( USHL )
7 Flag of Ontario.svg Ryan MacPhersonFreshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m)185 lb (84 kg)2005-03-02 Windsor, Ontario Penticton Vees  ( BCHL ) PHI , 172nd overall  2023
8 Flag of Minnesota.svg Nikolai JensonGraduate D 5' 11" (1.8 m)193 lb (88 kg)2000-07-28 Cold Spring, Minnesota Youngstown Phantoms  ( USHL )
9 Flag of Massachusetts.svg Connor SweeneySenior F 6' 2" (1.88 m)200 lb (91 kg)2000-05-05 North Andover, Massachusetts Islanders Hockey Club  ( NCDC )
10 Flag of New Hampshire.svg Ronan WalshSophomore F 6' 4" (1.93 m)210 lb (95 kg)2002-05-03 Andover, New Hampshire Amarillo Wranglers  ( NAHL )
12 Flag of Massachusetts.svg Liam DevlinSenior F 5' 11" (1.8 m)192 lb (87 kg)2001-01-07 Needham, Massachusetts Omaha Lancers  ( USHL )
13 Flag of New Jersey.svg Josh PlayerFreshman D 6' 0" (1.83 m)190 lb (86 kg)2005-05-13 Thorofare, New Jersey Green Bay Gamblers  ( USHL )
15 Flag of Austria.svg Luis LindnerSenior D 5' 11" (1.8 m)170 lb (77 kg)2001-05-16 Spittal an der Drau, Austria American International  ( AHA )
16 Flag of Saskatchewan.svg Luke ReidGraduate D 6' 0" (1.83 m)192 lb (87 kg)2001-09-26 Warman, Saskatchewan Chicago Steel  ( USHL ) NSH , 166th overall  2020
17 Flag of Latvia.svg Kristaps SkrastiņšJunior F 5' 10" (1.78 m)180 lb (82 kg)2001-11-20 Grobiņa, Latvia Amarillo Wranglers  ( NAHL )
19 Flag of Massachusetts.svg Brendan FitzgeraldFreshman D 6' 0" (1.83 m)165 lb (75 kg)2003-03-06 North Reading, Massachusetts Cedar Rapids RoughRiders  ( USHL )
20 Flag of California.svg Colton HuardSenior D 6' 3" (1.91 m)200 lb (91 kg)2000-11-27 Foothill Ranch, California Chicago Steel  ( USHL )
22 Flag of Massachusetts.svg J. P. TurnerSophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m)195 lb (88 kg)2003-01-31 East Falmouth, Massachusetts Fargo Force  ( USHL )
23 Flag of New Jersey.svg Jason SiedemSophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m)185 lb (84 kg)2002-10-17 Madison, New Jersey Blackfalds Bulldogs  ( AJHL )
24 Flag of Massachusetts.svg Robert CroninSenior F 5' 10" (1.78 m)187 lb (85 kg)2000-08-15 Plymouth, Massachusetts Dubuque Fighting Saints  ( USHL )
25 Flag of Massachusetts.svg Nick RingSophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m)180 lb (82 kg)2003-10-26 Abington, Massachusetts Sioux Falls Stampede  ( USHL )
26 Flag of Florida.svg Morgan WintersJunior F 5' 11" (1.8 m)165 lb (75 kg)2001-12-08 Osprey, Florida Omaha Lancers  ( USHL )
27 Flag of Ontario.svg Connor MacPhersonFreshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m)176 lb (80 kg)2005-03-02 Windsor, Ontario Penticton Vees  ( BCHL )
28 Flag of New Hampshire.svg Alex GagneSenior D 6' 4" (1.93 m)207 lb (94 kg)2002-08-12 Bedford, New Hampshire Muskegon Lumberjacks  ( USHL ) TBL , 192nd overall  2021
29 Flag of New Hampshire.svg Cy LeClercJunior F 5' 9" (1.75 m)180 lb (82 kg)2002-08-17 Brentwood, New Hampshire Janesville Jets  ( NAHL )
30 Flag of New York.svg Rico DiMatteoSenior (RS) G 6' 3" (1.91 m)161 lb (73 kg)2001-01-01 Brasher Falls, New York Long Island  ( NCAA )
35 Flag of New Hampshire.svg Rafe GaughanGraduate G 6' 1" (1.85 m)185 lb (84 kg)2000-02-11 Somersworth, New Hampshire Northeast Generals  ( NA3HL )
36 Flag of Virginia.svg Ryan ConmySophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m)190 lb (86 kg)2004-10-23 Alexandria, Virginia Sioux City Musketeers  ( USHL ) LAK , 182nd overall  2023
41 Flag of Alberta.svg Jared WhaleJunior G 5' 11" (1.8 m)195 lb (88 kg)2002-11-01 Calgary, Alberta Alaska Anchorage  ( NCAA )

Awards and honors

NCAA

Individual awards

All-American teams

AHCA First Team All-Americans

AHCA Second Team All-Americans

ECAC Hockey

Individual awards

All-Conference teams

First Team All-ECAC Hockey

Second Team All-ECAC Hockey

Hockey East

Individual awards

All-Conference teams

First Team All-Hockey East

Second Team All-Hockey East

Third Team All-Hockey East

Hockey East All-Rookie Team

Program Records

Hockey East

Individual

Olympians

This is a list of New Hampshire alumni were a part of an Olympic team.

NamePositionNew Hampshire TenureTeamYearFinish
Bob Miller Center1974–1975, 1976–1977 Flag of the United States.svg USA 1976 5th
Steve Leach Right Wing1984–1986 Flag of the United States.svg USA 1988 7th
Adrien Plavsic Defenseman1987–1988 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg CAN 1992 Silver medal icon.svg Silver
Jeff Lazaro Right Wing1986–1990 Flag of the United States.svg USA 1994 8th
James van Riemsdyk Left Wing2007–2009 Flag of the United States.svg USA 2014 4th
Bobby Butler Right Wing2006–2010 Flag of the United States.svg USA 2018 7th
Daniel Winnik Forward2003–2006 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg CAN 2022 6th

New Hampshire Wildcats Hall of Fame

The following is a list of people associated with the New Hampshire men's ice hockey program who were elected into the New Hampshire Wildcats Hall of Fame (induction date in parentheses). [13]

Wildcats in the NHL

As of July 1, 2024.

= NHL All-Star team = NHL All-Star [14] = NHL All-Star [14] and NHL All-Star team = Hall of Famers

WHA

Several players also were members of WHA teams.

PlayerPositionTeam(s)Years Avco Cups
Gordie Clark Right Wing CIN 1978–19790
John Gray Center PHX, HOU, WIN 1974–19791
Jamie Hislop Forward CIN 1976–19790
Gary Jacquith Defenseman SDM 1975–19760
Rod Langway Defenseman BIR 1977–19780
Cap Raeder Goaltender NEW 1975–19770
Guy Smith Left Wing NEW 1972–19741

Source: [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

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Robert A. Kullen was an American ice hockey coach and player. He was the head coach of the University of New Hampshire for a short time in the late 1980s before a rare heart condition that necessitated a heart transplant forced him to step away from his position and ultimately cost him his life a month later. In addition to coaching New Hampshire's ice hockey team, he also coached the New Hampshire golf team and soccer team.

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Harry C. Batchelder Rink was the first artificial ice surface operated by the University of New Hampshire. The equipment needed to produce the ice was donated by UNH alum Harry C. Batchelder and the rink opened in February 1955 next to the previous natural ice rink used by the men's ice hockey team. The rink was in operation for about ten years before indoor Snively Arena was opened in 1965. During its existence the rink had a chain-link fence installed for hockey games.

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References

  1. "Athletics Branding". University of New Hampshire Brand & Visual Guidelines. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  2. "USCHO.com :: U.S. College Hockey Online :: New Hampshire Wildcats Men's Hockey". Archived from the original on 2007-10-24.
  3. "New Hampshire man's ice hockey 2013-14 Media Guide". New Hampshire Wildcats. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  4. "Wildcat Hockey: Ice Hockey at the University of New Hampshire". New Hampshire Wildcats. October 2002. ISBN   9780738511023 . Retrieved 2017-06-06.
  5. "A. Barr Snively, Former Williams Grid Coach, 65". North Adams Transcript. 1964-04-16.
  6. Slomba, Elizabeth; Ross, William Edwin (October 2002). "Wildcat Ice Hockey". ISBN   9780738511023 . Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  7. "MHOC Year-by-Year Quick Look". New Hampshire Wildcats. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  8. "MHOC Year-by-Year Quick Look". New Hampshire Wildcats. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  9. "Team Records". New Hampshire Wildcats. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  10. "2022–23 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". UNH Wildcats. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  11. "Legends of Hockey". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2018-10-07.
  12. "United States Hockey Hall of Fame". Hockey Central.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-04-21.
  13. "Wildcat Hall of Fame". New Hampshire Wildcats. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  14. 1 2 Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.
  15. "Alumni report for U. of New Hampshire". Hockey DB. Retrieved May 9, 2019.