UNH: So close, yet so far

YOUR COMMENTS

What a game-UNH could have easily won it were it not for the goalie's best friend and an unusal final goal...been watching UNH for years-great hockey program..well coached and great recruiting...long live UNH hockey and Dick Umile
- joe, raymond,nh

I was at the game and UNH controlled the flow of the game from the start of the second period until the end. There weren’t very manny times that a BU player had the puck without getting hit. I watch a lot of UNH hockey and that game was played very well. They missed a few really good scoring chances and that’s why they lost. But the team played hard and the fans really supported them. What a great game and they should all be proud of how they represented themselves and UNH.
- Brian, Hooksett

Congrats to the UNH Wildcats on a helluva tourney. You kept fighting to the buzzer to beat a very good Sioux team. And you took the overall #1 and Goliath of a team in BU to the brink. BU really is the juggernaut this year and you were the better team on the ice yesterday. You were one post, one rolling puck away from DC. Great job this weekend! And good luck to the seniors!
- Gregg729, Seacoast

I am not a UNH fan or a fan of any particular college program, I just like college hockey. So I can look at this objectively. I disagree with the people who want Umile fired. He has a very competitive program that wins far more than it loses, and he has made the NCAAs a bunch of times and the Frozen Four a few times. It's not like there is no hope for a national championship as long as he is coaching.
- Paul, Hawthorne, NJ

Congrats to Dick Umile and the Wildcats on a terrific weekend of hockey. Bad bounces happen - the team absolutely played well enough to win yesterday, and they deserve a lot of credit for stepping up at the end of the season.

For those piling on the "Fire Umile" bandwagon, who's your replacement?

As for the comments about the UNH program not "spitting out" pro players, that is not, and never has been, the goal of NCAA hockey. Schools don't typically operate as unofficial farm teams (unlike basketball or football), and players who have pro potential have several options. In a sport where you're always an accident away from having it all end, many of the smart ones do choose college hockey as a way to earn an education. Still, if it's that important to you, there are dozens of former UNH players making their living at hockey, whether it's in the NHL, AHL, ECHL, or European leagues.
- Mark, Rochester

I'm very glad to see the negative comments are in the minority here. That shows that most people do understand Coach Umile's value to UNH and NH. It's echoed everywhere in hockey circles, yet a small minority of internet posters, who never put their names or faces next to their criticisms, get more attention than they deserve.

It was a great weekend of hockey and in the end the puck didn't bounce our way. Simple as that. It's the game of hockey. Nobody to blame but the game itself. Yet the team can hold their head up. The team and coaches represented NH with class and dignity yet again.

One can't help but wonder if the naysayers know anything about the game, or if like so many other internet hecklers, they just enjoy complaining about everything, and hide beneath the anonymity the internet provides them.
- Greg, Portsmouth

UNH had a very good year.

They have a very good coach. KEEP HIM!!

Compare UNH to the schools they are competing against in hockey and football. The University is less than average in this regard. Not bashing here, just the reality. The only things superior to UNH's competition schools is their football & hockey programs. These coaches exceed, especially if you consider the cards they are playing with.

Very good years for football & hockey, AGAIN!!!

Keep these guys around. They more than earn their money. Be careful, sometimes you do not know what you have until it is gone.
- Bobby O., Manch Vegas

I love it ! the bandwagon is running low. You got to love UNH fans complaining about the refs. That is classic.
- Jason, windham, nh

After reading this article and all of your comments, I felt obligated to say the following: As a BU fan I have ALWAYS had respect and admiration for the coaching staff and the fans of UNH hockey. Your team is one that strikes fear in serious fans of opposing teams year in and year out. Your fans, by and large, are classy and well informed. I agree with Mark From Manchester about the lack of school spirit from the UNH student fans at the game yesterday (I didn't see much of a student section) but the dedication of your local fans and alumni should more than make up for it.

I was shocked to read some negative comments here, I fully understand the disappointment (2006 Worcester regionals- 5-0 loss to -gulp- BC) but your team played a hard fought game. Umile's game plan to close off center ice passing lanes nearly won UNH that game. I hope that after the bitterness of a tough loss you all realize the great team and coach you have up there.
- Elizabeth, Boston Ma

Great job Wildcats!!!
- Lou, Jaffrey

UNH has a coach who has successfully developed talent for the professional ranks and people want him gone? Are you kidding me?
UNH is one of the best recruiting schools for hockey and as a result always plays a competetive brand of hockey. To be on of 16 teams in the tournament to go to the final 4 is amazing and for people to call for Unile's firing is unbelievable.

Stick with what is working. So what there is no national champion, the program is a top nationally ranked program lets keep it that way by keeping Umile.
- Jeff, Manchester

I am so sick and tired of the officiating in sports affecting the outcome of the games being played, from the ncaa sports up through professional sports. That ref last night calling a penalty with 40 seconds left needs to put on a jersey if he wants to so badly influence an outcome like that. Let the athletes play. This is just getting ridiculous! A heartfelt thank you to the UNH plyers last night who gave us a thrilling, nail-biter!
- Patty, Bedford

So, now Umile is supposed to lead the Wildcats to the national championship both as the top seed and as the underdog? Maybe it's Umile's fault that the basketball team has never been to the NCAAs and that the football team makes the NCAAs and loses every year as well.

Dave, are you married to Pauline from Franklin? You are both fairly negative.
- Greg, Manchester

You'd think UNH would make the Frozen Four much more often considering they're handed a huge home ice advantage in the Regionals every other year.
- Lee, Buxton ME

The REAL SHOCKER was they even won 1 playoff game. Usually its one and done for these guys every year
- James, manchester

ATTENTION ASTROLOGERS! Will the stars ever align for UNH? A penalty call with less than 1 minute? I want to know more about this official?

Greg Barrett
Manchester
- Greg Barrett, Manchester

UNH has been one of the most successful Division 1 Hockey teams over the past decade. They are ranked 2nd in number of current, consecutive NCAA tournament berths. To get rid of Coach Umile would be a HUGE mistake. I'm going to step out on a limb here and say that Dave is not a UNH fan, but a fan of a rival Hockey East team. Possibly Merrimack?
- John, Newfields, NH

Umile definitely deserves a lot of credit for getting ay least one win this weekend, but I still don't think he's the right man for the job.
Two things that were disappointing this weekend: 1. The lack of school spirit and fans for UNH. They were by far outclassed by the BU fans. 2. The play of James vanRiemsdyk. He looked liked a zombie out there and he didn't even want to be on the ice. No effort at all.
- Mark, Manchester

I have been one calling for Coach Umile to go - I was wrong, Jack Parker was right - I need a life. I am very proud of UNH and the way they conducted themselves this weekend. They played with heart and never gave up. I will never forget the excitement in the Verizon on both days. It was a great, great experience.
- Al, Exeter

I have finally had enough of the senseless so-called "hockey fans" on here who keep calling for Coach Umile to resign or be fired!

As a fanatic Wildcat hockey fan since the 60's, I am very happy to support a program that consistently represents the State of New Hampshire in an exemplary manner! Umile carries on the proud tradition of collegiate hockey excellence that has been handed down from Rube Bjorkman, to Charlie Holt, to Umile. Both Bjorkman and Holt are legends in college hockey circles...and how many national titles did THEY win?????? Yep, just as many as Umile has...

College hockey isn't just about winning national titles and producing NHL players. UNH has always had a program with the proper balance and emphasis. Kudos to Coach Umile and the 2008-09 Wildcats for a job well done!
- Stephen, Plymouth

The Umile bashers need to stand down. UNH went up against two better teams this weekend. They beat one and had the other (the #1 team in the country) on the ropes. I was at the BU game and couldn't stand listening to the idiots around me complaining when Umile would call for line changes even when UNH had two guys in the neutral zone looking up at four back for BU. These are the people calling for his job. TJ from Epping saying that every other bracket had a underdog upset and UNH should have won too is probably the most ridiculous comment I have ever seen.

Coach Umile is a class act and doesn't deserve this negativity. He consistently puts very competitve teams on the ice. You will never hear even a whisper of illegal or unethical recruiting or coaching practices as you do with other programs. He is a man of integrity and has earned our respect. True, we have not won a championship, but we're in the running every single year. Not many schools can say that.
- SD, Manchester, NH

"UNH: So close, yet so far"

Hey Union Leader: Is this a standing headline that's recycled every March?
- Mark, Bedford

I think Dick Umile is great for UNH hockey. No he has not won a championship, but there is more to it then that. Without Coach Umile, UNH probably would not get half of the recruits that come into this school. As for the comment about not producing enough pro players, to my knowledge (and I am no expert on this) many of the top recruits typically don't play in college and play in other junior hockey leagues. But don't get me wrong, many great players have come out of college hockey and UNH, but colleges are not a feeding ground to the pros like college basketball and football. And in the way of salary, Coach Umile makes "minimum wage" compared to many other college coaches with million dollar yealry contracts. Many of you who look for him to be fired, are only looking at his salary and probably do not even follow hockey. The revenue that Coach Umile brings in in the form of ticket sales and sponsorships surely out numbers his salary.
- phil, laconia

I knew there would be jabs and conclusions about the coach today.What happened at the game was not about him or his salary.I think it would be better to let the players comment - they know the game, they know their coach, but above all, they gave it their best. Coach Umile didn't bump the puck in; it was accidently deflected in by a player who already feels bad enough about it.But the ignorant can't understand that -the first thought that comes to their mind is about firing the coach and money. So the ignorant will be fired if he isn't perfect at work?What do they do for a living?Are they a UNH alumni?Remember, the team did the best they could - it's not about you and your immature temper.-Kathy, UNH Class of 1980
- kathy ott-mchugh, UNH Class of 1980, dover

What a bunch of crack pots. Or is it cracked pots? Anyway, all of these hurtful comments about Mr. Umile have to stop. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter how much money he makes does it? The important thing is that us UNH student / hockey fans have something to do during the winter and early spring. Because we all know that the basketball teams stink, the football team is so so, they actually cut the baseball and softball programs, the gymnastic and swim teams barely have any fans show up. Well you get the picture. The hockey team is all we have. So please stop writing un kind things about Dick.
- Danny, Durham

Go BU!!!
- Fred, Milford

Dave, Franklin. What makes you the expert? You coach a little youth hockey back in the day and now you are a hockey expert? Umile did a great job getting what he had to work with to achive what they did. If anything, I say give him a raise
- Paul, Milford

Dave from Franklin,
What are you a BU (Boston University) fan?? No. Let me guess a BC fan. You have no idea what you are talking about. I would doubt whether you even know anything about hockey. Probably don't even know what an offside is. Or icing the puck. Contrary to what you are spewing, Umile is actually due a lot of credit. He took a team that wasn't even expected to win its conference, all the way to as far as it went. If it wasn't for his extraordinary motivational skills this team wouldn't have gone as far as it did. It was one win away from the Frozen Four. The frozen four!
- Dale, Epsom

Umile needs to go. One win does not equal consistent, on-going, improving success.

UNH was the only underdog to not pull of a bracket-busting upset, and while that's got nothing to do with Umile's coaching the reality is the win over ND was nice, but nothing special.

He's not going to get fired, and considering the money it would cost should not be, but for the good of UNH he should step down and work on finding the next great UNH coach.
- TJ, Epping

Dave,
Should Syracuse have listened to people like you when it came to coach Jim Boeheim? He didn’t win his first national title until 2003 and I would consider him a pretty good coach. It’s not all about national titles; you need to look at the whole body of work. As a UNH fan you should be happy the team gets into the NCAA's every year.
- Nate, Dover/ NH

Dave from Franklin, you got that right. When is the university system going to smarten up, anyway? It's not like this team is spitting out pro hockey players either. Maybe one or two makes it to the NHL every five or six years or so. Umile is making way too much money for the product he delivers.
- Dan, Milford

Typical coward response from Dave in Franklin-- were you watching the same games I was watching?

1.) That team played its guts out the entire weekend and should be commended for the effort they put in.

2.) If it is Dick Umile's fault that they lost, then he should get credit for the win on Saturday. That play with 5.5 seconds left is a play that he draws up, and that his team practices all the time. That is perfect execution of situational hockey, but nobody wants to talk about that.

3.) They lost to the #1 team in the nation yesterday on a bogus penalty call in the final minute of a regional final, and a ridiculous bounce of the puck on the ensuing power play. Clearly, that is Coach Umile's fault.

I challenge you to consistently get a Division I NCAA hockey team to the tournament year in and year out, with the level of competition that they play in Hockey East. In a single elimination tournament, anything can happen on a given day, so you need to look at the body of work, and that's nothing short of impressive.

I would like to commend the UNH players and Coach Umile on a great season and a memorable tournament run this weekend.
- Brian, Concord

But if UNH had scored, Umile would be in the clear, right Dave? lol A Logic wizard is on the loose in Franklin!
- Mike, Concord

Hey Dave... it wasnt Umile that lost the game, it was the missed hooking call before the one that VanReimsdyke was called for. Umile and the UNH team has brought UNH to national attention time and again. When the other universities reduce the salaries of their head coaches then maybe you have an argument.
- steve, concord

dave, franklin

I think it is about time that you think about swallowing your own tongue. Did you even watch the game? If you did, you would have SEEN that the last hooking call, against UNH was questionable at best. Also you would have witnessed that the BU coach consistently delays the game, without penalty, by calling a time out when both sides are lined up.

Maybe if you knew one thing about recruiting players, that you would see Umile and his staff are doing the best with what they have, and the budget they have to work with. Sure, UNH could have players like Smolinksi, etc, if we were a big private school, with alumnus that donate millions into different funds to attract players.

So Dave, and others, before you comment make sure you know some or most of the facts.

Great job Coach U and the boys! You played one hell of a season!
- mnx, andover

Umile and his staff did a great job of preparing his team this weekend and they showed a lot of heart in both games. They clearly outplayed a much more talented BU team.
- Mike, Portsmouth

Dave, time to crawl back under the rock you crawled out of. The Wildcats came so close to making the frozen four in a down year (everyone has one here and there). You think UNH could get a top notch coach for less than they pay Umile???? Think again.
- Jim, Londonderry

Dave- Coach Umile had a terrific hockey weekend with a tough loss last night. They played to win and Umile coached to win and that showed. The winning goal for the Terriers had nothing to do with bad coaching and everything to do with bad luck, it bounced off one of OUR players. Umile deserves every penny he gets. Perhaps the UL could run a story on Umile's salary and what the coach brings in for profit for UNH & the state, I bet most people would keeps their mouths shut then. Good season UNH. Tough loss.
- Alex, Manchester

Get over it! Yes, Umile might be the highest paid but he has also galvanized NH in support of UNH and the excitement they bring to the ice each and every year. Unfortunately, we are like parents supporting our children in sports. We are the problem, not the coaches who are just trying to do their jobs. GET OVER IT!
- DW, Merrimack, NH

Dave, if you're going to spout off about bad coaching (of which there has been none), then at least recommend your pick for his replacement.
- engageant, Peterborough

Thank You to the UNH Hockey team for an exciting weekend and a good year!
- JM, Manchester

I think it's about time that, at the minimum, Umile surrenders some of that huge salary he has been paid. Either that or the university should fire him. He has proven once again that he cannot lead this team to a national championship, and is not worthy of being the highest paid State employee.
- Dave, Franklin