New Hampshire Wildcats Men's Ice Hockey
The New Hampshire Wildcats Men's Ice Hockey team is an NCAA Division I hockey team that represents the University of New Hampshire. Founded in 1924, the Wildcats have a proud history of success, including nine conference championships and five Frozen Four appearances. In this article, we'll dive into the history of the program, the current team, and what to look forward to in the future.
History
The New Hampshire Wildcats Men's Ice Hockey program has a long and storied history, dating back to 1924 when the team played its first game against Dartmouth. Over the years, the program has had many successes, including nine conference championships, five Frozen Four appearances, and 32 NCAA tournament appearances overall. The team has also produced many notable alumni, including NHL players such as Jason Krog, Eric Boguniecki, and Trevor van Riemsdyk.
In recent years, the Wildcats have struggled to maintain their position as a national powerhouse, failing to make the NCAA tournament in each of the last three seasons. However, the program has a new head coach in Mike Souza, who took over in 2019 and is looking to bring the team back to its winning ways.
Current Team
The current New Hampshire Wildcats Men's Ice Hockey team is a young and talented group led by captain Charlie Kelleher. The team has a mix of experienced upperclassmen and talented underclassmen who are looking to make an impact. One of the team's strengths is its goaltending, with senior Mike Robinson and sophomore Ty Taylor both having shown promise in their time at UNH.
The Wildcats also have some promising young talent on the roster, including freshman forward Lucas Hermann, who has already made an impact with his speed and playmaking ability. The team's defense is anchored by senior captain Anthony Wyse, who brings a physical presence to the blue line.
Future
The future looks bright for the New Hampshire Wildcats Men's Ice Hockey program under the leadership of head coach Mike Souza. Souza is a former UNH player who has a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed at this level, and he is focused on building a team that can compete with the best in the country.
In the coming years, the Wildcats will be looking to build on the foundation that Souza is establishing, with a focus on recruiting top talent and developing players who can make an impact at the NCAA level. With a young and talented roster, the future looks bright for the Wildcats, and fans can look forward to exciting hockey in the years to come.
Conclusion
The New Hampshire Wildcats Men's Ice Hockey program has a long and storied history, and while the team has struggled in recent years, there is reason for optimism under the leadership of head coach Mike Souza. The current team is young and talented, with promising players at every position, and the future looks bright for the program. Whether you're a lifelong fan or a newcomer to the sport, the UNH hockey team is a team worth following, and we look forward to seeing what they can accomplish in the years to come.