UMass FB experiment

[upstater]

Hockey is going to have a bit of a struggle if it gets relegated to the XL for a long period. But supposedly there will be a new or greatly upgraded Freitas on campus by 2016-17 in which case they will be fine. the level of competition is going way up next season, when it will be solid teams game in game out as opposed to the current conference which is catch as catch can with some pretty good teams, some pretty weak ones. As far as local kids playing, I'm not so sure about that. had occasion to speak with a Hockey East coach who was talking about the UConn upgrade a bit. He mentioned that he does lots of recruiting in Canada (UConn currently does little or none) because New England kids grew up wanting to go to BC, BU, UNH and Maine, not PC, UMass, etc. that will largely be the case with UConn too. We'll struggle to get the local kids who grew up following BC and BU while we were playing Sacred Heart and AIC and before that Division 3 opponents.

UNH is a late comer to Hockey East, PC has been around since forever.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

If Quinnipiac can rise to national prominence in hockey coming from a club sport, there's no reason UConn can't. But they have to get Freitas upgraded. The XL isn't a long term option. By the way, Quinnipiac doesn't recruit CT all that much either. That's really a losing proposition. Gotta tap into Canada.

 

[freescooter]

the point is that UConn is a latecomer to big time hockey and as a result will have to get its recruits where it can get them. Not much different from Quinnipiac really, or Merrimack or UMass or a few of the other HEA programs. Quinny went to the NCAA finals last year and had exactly 1 CT kid, and he transferred in. They have exactly zero in their incoming class. Hockey is like every other sport. Kids in this area grew up following BC, BU and so forth. Very few grew up dreaming of playing for a program that played outdoors until 10 years ago and has as its highlight winning the MAAC title in 2000, and getting to the D-3 ECAC Finals in the late 1990s. That can change over time, I'd say at least 10 years, but in the meantime, UConn's hope is coming from Alberta and Quebec, not Avon and Hamden.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Just as a reference, QU currently has 13 kids from Canada on the roster. They have as many New England kids (4) as they do Minnesota kids.

 

[HartfordHank]

UNH is a late comer to Hockey East, PC has been around since forever.

How is UNH a late comer to Hockey East? They are an original member. They have had a strong hockey program since before Hockey East.

 

[upstater]

How is UNH a late comer to Hockey East? They are an original member. They have had a strong hockey program since before Hockey East.

I meant to write UMass. The previous poster mentioned UMass and PC as not having kids grow up with them.