UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Season?

[Chuck Murray]

Divver's initial tweet said grad transfer, eligible immediately. I don't know that to be true, but it would make the most sense in terms of instigating and exploring of options...

If he spent a couple summers in Durham it would be pretty easy to graduate in three years...

...

In HE I'd worry about BC or BU offering looking for experience to combine with their young talent. UMass took a grad transfer this season (Pritchard) with great success. Northeastern is always aggressive...

Barring early departures at PC they seem overbooked. It seems out of character (to short-term) for UML.

I can personally vouch for the fact that "getting the undergrad degree in 3 years" scenario at UNH is pretty workable. As Dan says, just a few courses here and there on top of a full course load during the main semesters. One of the two people I know who went down this path got their Masters in Year Four. I don't doubt this 3 year plan would be within BvR's reach if he's been planning for it for awhile.

My money is on Northeastern as the most likely HE departure destination.

[Chuck Murray]

"A guy don't walk on the lot lest he wants to buy."

Ha! As my Realtor wife will tell you, one can only dream that is the case...

Ned nailed it. Doesn't mean he'll jump for the first option - or any option - but he's not there by accident.

Too bad the local media doesn't really cover UNH Hockey any more, 'cuz this could be a fascinating story ...

[Dan]

Of course, we are all in speculation mode...but, just a thought...if this were to come to fruition, what do you think the time table is? How soon would we know his intentions/landing spot? And, while this may seem ludicrous, whether or not he just wants to play on a team that's 'winning' may not be his prime motivation for wanting to move. Who knows...No matter what, hope he finds what he's looking for if it isn't a return to the 'Cats.

Of course its all speculation - but I would think the most likely reason would be looking for the best opportunity to compete for championships (which his brothers were able to do at UNH, but he has not). I also think the most likely teams to be interested in him would be teams that believe they're in a position to compete and are looking for depth, experience and a well-rounded player who can chip in some goals and kill penalties at a high-level. NU took Plevy last season. UMass took Pritchard. BU has had a couple grad transfers in a row. BVR would be a nice add to a competitive team...

Still, it certainly could be any number of reasons. Maybe he is looking for a specific grad program. Perhaps he wants to find the best scenario to set himself up for a professional career. He might be unsure of his top-six role at UNH moving forward with the staff out looking for forwards for next season. He may want to be closer to someone or something. It could be a lot of things, no doubt about that. I enjoy considering the options, but we'll really have to wait until a decision is made to try to understand the motives for looking around...

More speculation - but to answer your question, I'd imagine a decision waits until after the Tournament, but happens not long after. Of course, he could change course and stay at UNH - but I think the odds are in his favor for leaving as the biggest step towards leaving is taking the first action to enter the portal and discuss new options. Its only more likely he'd get excited about outside opportunities when able to discuss them with those coaching staffs. I'd keep an eye on things at BU, UMass, NU, Ohio State and Minnesota if I was a betting man...

[Dan]

With GIldon back here was how I would have projected UNH's current line-up...

Crookshank - Pierson - Kelleher
BVR - Blackburn - Grasso
Stevenson - Engaras - Fregona
Esposito - Sacco - MacAdams
Sato - Cipollone - (Sweeney)

Wyse - Gildon
Eriksson - Maass
Dawson - Verrier
McElhaney - Hickey

Robinson
Taylor
Lazzaro

Assuming BVR leaves, that leaves a real void in the top-six down the left-wing. Even BVR is not the perfect candidate to fill that role - though I imagine as a SR he could certainly fill that role well enough, he is still more of a secondary scoring option who can defend and PK at a very high level than a pure top-six type on a tournament-level team. UNH needed a late grab at forward already (IMO) and now they really need one - maybe (hopefully) two. The following would be ideal and offer a fringe/potential tournament team, IMO (plug in BVR for one of the new F's should he remain)...

Crookshank - Pierson - Kelleher
[Budy] - Blackburn - Grasso
[Macceli] - Engaras - Fregona
Esposito - Stevenson - MacAdams
Sacco/Cipollone

[Dan]

Could be the Van Riemsdyks are unaware UNH offers a four year program. JVR 2 and TvR 3 would not have alerted him to that, and that's a powerful family tradition to uphold.
I know early in the year it was a head scratcher as he and Blackburn were put on the fourth line behind guys like Cefalu and Sacco who couldnt score if their life depended on it. While not the whole Foegele experience, it may be that Souza is more inclided towards guys who can skate but not score, rather guys who can score but not skate.

That is true - that was very curious. Kudos to Souza for recognizing that mistake and making the necessary adjustment (when some long-time coaches may not have). Both certainly proved they belonged in the top-six for last year's UNH team, but its also possible that the lack of scoring down the stretch led to some interesting discussions in exit interviews about player's roles and UNH's plans for summer recruiting...

[Nick Papagiorgio]

This portal thing is interesting. How many folks put their name in there and end up back at their old school? You'd have to think voluntarily putting your name on there is burning your current bridge no? If I'm a coach and I see my player doing this, you can be sure I'd view that as less than 100% commitment to the program and would strongly consider having your locker cleaned out and left in a cardboard box for you to come pick up.

[NCAA watcher]

That is true - that was very curious. Kudos to Souza for recognizing that mistake and making the necessary adjustment (when some long-time coaches may not have). Both certainly proved they belonged in the top-six for last year's UNH team, but its also possible that the lack of scoring down the stretch led to some interesting discussions in exit interviews about player's roles and UNH's plans for summer recruiting...

And I'm not intending to make a snark because I'm not sure BVR is a top two line guy, so having him bounce between third and fourth line might not have been wrong while trying out lineups early in the season. I'm not that concerned on a bigger "message" level, as his value could be replaced if UNH does manage to get recruits for next year. That remains a wildcard, with four or five spots open and only Stevenson and Eriksson locked in. If they manage to get overseas kids like Engaras to supplement, then him leaving "early" is no biggie. But if there are holes in the class, forcing more playing time for the bottom 8 forwards, then its a big problem.

[Dan]

And I'm not intending to make a snark because I'm not sure BVR is a top two line guy, so having him bounce between third and fourth line might not have been wrong while trying out lineups early in the season. I'm not that concerned on a bigger "message" level, as his value could be replaced if UNH does manage to get recruits for next year. That remains a wildcard, with four or five spots open and only Stevenson and Eriksson locked in. If they manage to get overseas kids like Engaras to supplement, then him leaving "early" is no biggie. But if there are holes in the class, forcing more playing time for the bottom 8 forwards, then its a big problem.

I would agree completely moving forward. I was surprised at the decision with the team they had last season, however.

[Dan]

This portal thing is interesting. How many folks put their name in there and end up back at their old school? You'd have to think voluntarily putting your name on there is burning your current bridge no? If I'm a coach and I see my player doing this, you can be sure I'd view that as less than 100% commitment to the program and would strongly consider having your locker cleaned out and left in a cardboard box for you to come pick up.

Its a strange situation as the portal was developed so that kids could transfer without needing their coach's permission and explore the option WITHOUT burning bridges - but when all the names are made public immediately (as has turned out to be the case) it seems to defeat the purpose. If one is set on going, its not really a big deal. If one is uncertain, the purported benefit for the player doesn't seem to really exist...

[Darius]

So there are 11 players on this list, all from HEA? No transfers from ECAC, B10, NCHC, etc.? Me thinks the list is incomplete or not up to date. Perhaps not all players are aware of it? Maybe BvR added his name as the season began to have an option he then decided he no longer needs?

[chickod]

Its a strange situation as the portal was developed so that kids could transfer without needing their coach's permission and explore the option WITHOUT burning bridges - but when all the names are made public immediately (as has turned out to be the case) it seems to defeat the purpose. If one is set on going, its not really a big deal. If one is uncertain, the purported benefit for the player doesn't seem to really exist...

One would think it would have been naive for anyone to assume that the information wouldn't have become public. Everything else is...

[Dan]

So there are 11 players on this list, all from HEA? No transfers from ECAC, B10, NCHC, etc.? Me thinks the list is incomplete or not up to date. Perhaps not all players are aware of it? Maybe BvR added his name as the season began to have an option he then decided he no longer needs?

Its certainly incomplete. McMahon was only reporting on the HE names (likely out of curiosity for where all the cut MC players will land). Divver reported that Colorado College forward Weston Michaud is also in the portal looking to transfer (but hoping to remain in the NCHC). There are undoubtedly other names from other conferences...

[e.cat]

One would think it would have been naive for anyone to assume that the information wouldn't have become public. Everything else is...

Especially in the age of ANTI-social media!! Like myface and kinkedin!!

[boblav1]

I can personally vouch for the fact that "getting the undergrad degree in 3 years" scenario at UNH is pretty workable. As Dan says, just a few courses here and there on top of a full course load during the main semesters. One of the two people I know who went down this path got their Masters in Year Four. I don't doubt this 3 year plan would be within BvR's reach if he's been planning for it for awhile.

My money is on Northeastern as the most likely HE departure destination.

I think most programs get their players on campus in the summer now for workouts and to take a few courses. So an undergrad degree in three years maybe pretty common. I guess that would explain the increase in these grad transfers we're seeing.

I was over at Merrimack for their senior night two years ago and several of their players were leaving with Masters degrees.

[chickod]

[NCAA watcher]

I think most programs get their players on campus in the summer now for workouts and to take a few courses. So an undergrad degree in three years maybe pretty common. I guess that would explain the increase in these grad transfers we're seeing.

I was over at Merrimack for their senior night two years ago and several of their players were leaving with Masters degrees.

I'm sure that motivated players like BVR who spent two years in junior hockey take some classes during that down time that give them plenty of credicts before they enroll, so 3 years with summer school makes it very doable.

[UNH1932]

Agosta was the last one to finish his undergrad at end of junior year (3 years hockey, 4 years college) and he used the grad exception. BVR will likely have his undergrad studies by mid-summer at latest as he likely had 2 classes per semester when he was at the Islanders Hockey Club. If he leaves, I wish him the best and I am grateful to the Van Reimsdyk family for their commitment to UNH. I am sure he will do well in a graduate school with a Masters in Finance degree. It could be Ivy or other top graduate schools that may be a good fit for Brendan.

I hope he stays but if he is leaving for educational opportunities and will still play Division 1 hockey it is a big win for him.

[Chuck Murray]

This portal thing is interesting. How many folks put their name in there and end up back at their old school? You'd have to think voluntarily putting your name on there is burning your current bridge no? If I'm a coach and I see my player doing this, you can be sure I'd view that as less than 100% commitment to the program and would strongly consider having your locker cleaned out and left in a cardboard box for you to come pick up.

Might be a slightly harsh-sounding take, but I can't say that I disagree. Not saying that players don't have a right to explore their options if they're unhappy with their current situation ... but it's a two-way street. MS7 will know how he left things with the player, so he probably won't be surprised to see this, and this could very well be a mutual decision based on how things ended over the last couple of weeks. MS7 could even have suggested it himself. IF MS7 is surprised to see it, then yeah, the player likely has burned that bridge.

That is true - that was very curious. Kudos to Souza for recognizing that mistake and making the necessary adjustment (when some long-time coaches may not have). Both certainly proved they belonged in the top-six for last year's UNH team, but its also possible that the lack of scoring down the stretch led to some interesting discussions in exit interviews about player's roles and UNH's plans for summer recruiting...

Agree here as well. I'm not sure who said something in the last 24 hours about how this was a "breakout" year for BvR, but it made me go back and look … yeah, he doubled his goal scoring output, but overall his production doesn't look all that different this year from the first two years. He certainly hasn't even come close to being the impact player his older brothers were (and yes, that's me with a compliment to JvR, don't faint ), and it seems unlikely he'll be the 3rd brother to make it to The Show. Which may further support the theory that he's weighing grad school options for a off-ice career (which would make sense, and would earn my respect).

BvR was the 8th top scorer on an 8th place HE team. If he stays, maybe he projects to be the 4th or 5th top scorer on a 4th or 5th place team? The idea that he's going to go to another program where he's going to walk into being a top 6 player … I'm not sure that's even close to being a lock (which I think you agree with, Dan?). So if his issue was ice time or role … I'm not sure he's going to do better than UNH next year. If he wants to finish with a winner, he'll go to NU, but he'll be facing an uphill battle to get onto the top two lines.

What he decides to do in the end will probably tell the tale about why he's in the portal to begin with.

If MS7 gave him a slight push, in hopes of doing better, you won't hear me criticizing him for it ...

[HockeyRef]

Agosta was the last one to finish his undergrad at end of junior year (3 years hockey, 4 years college) and he used the grad exception. BVR will likely have his undergrad studies by mid-summer at latest as he likely had 2 classes per semester when he was at the Islanders Hockey Club. If he leaves, I wish him the best and I am grateful to the Van Reimsdyk family for their commitment to UNH. I am sure he will do well in a graduate school with a Masters in Finance degree. It could be Ivy or other top graduate schools that may be a good fit for Brendan.

I hope he stays but if he is leaving for educational opportunities and will still play Division 1 hockey it is a big win for him.

And in the end that’s what ultimately matters most is what’s best for the player...

[Dan]

Boston University adds one graduate transfer (according to Mark Divver) in Brown's Alex Brink. The third year in a row they've added a grad student and the second-straight with one from Brown. It would not surprise me to see them go further in trying to add experience to what will be another young stable of propects next season...