University of New Hampshire Athletics
Photo by: Kaylin Moriarty
Mike Souza Named a Finalist for Hockey East Coach of the Year
3/18/2024 3:13:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
The Wildcats posted their best record in 11 years.
AMESBURY, Mass. – University of New Hampshire head men's hockey coach Mike Souza has been named a finalist for the Bob Kullen Award presented by Bauer given to the Hockey East Coach of the Year. The other finalists are Ben Barr (Maine), Greg Brown (Boston College) and Jay Pandolfo (Boston University). The winner will be announced on Wednesday, March 20 at 10 a.m.
Souza, who just concluded his sixth season at the helm of the Wildcats, guided the team to a 20-15-1 (.569) overall record which was its best in 11 years when the Wildcats went 20-12-7 (.603) in 2012-13. This was UNH's first 20-win season in 10 years when the 'Cats recorded a 22-18-1 record in 2013-14.
The 'Cats, who were picked 10th in the Hockey East Preseason Poll, tied for fifth in the standings going 12-11-1 with 36 points which was their best finish in 10 years when the Wildcats were tied for fourth in 2013-14. The 12 wins were the most for the program in 11 seasons when the team went 13-8-6 in 2012-13.
UNH was nationally ranked for 20-consecutive weeks which included a No. 10 ranking on Nov. 20 which was the first time in six seasons the 'Cats were in the top-10 as they were No. 9 on Nov. 6, 2017.
The Wildcats posted a 2.34 team goals against average this season which was their best in 11 seasons when they recorded a 2.27 GAA in 2012-13. Junior goalie Jakob Hellsten (Ljusdal, Sweden) tallied a 2.04 GAA which ranked second all-time in program history. Ty Conklin posted a 1.84 goals against average in 1998-99.
Freshman forward Ryan Conmy (Alexandria, Va.) had 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 points. His 14 goals and 31 points were the most by a Wildcat freshman in seven seasons when Patrick Grasso posted 20 goals and 33 points. His 17 assists were the most by a freshman when James van Riemsdyk recorded 23 assists and Danny Dries posted 17 both in 2007-08.
The 'Cats went 14-4-1 at the Whittemore Center at Key Auto Group Complex this season including a 6-3-1 record versus nationally ranked teams, marking the most wins at home in 16 seasons when UNH also went 14-4-1 in 2007-08. The 'Cats defeated No. 1 Boston University, 6-4, in the home-opener on Oct. 13. The last time UNH defeated the No. 1 ranked team in the nation was a 3-2 win versus Cornell on April 10, 2003 in the national semifinal game in Buffalo, N.Y.
The Wildcats earned their first home playoff game in nine years as they defeated UMass Lowell, 1-0, in the Hockey East Opening Round. UNH's home attendance of 103,816 was its most in 10 seasons when 104,841 fans went to the Whitt in 2013-14.
Souza, who just concluded his sixth season at the helm of the Wildcats, guided the team to a 20-15-1 (.569) overall record which was its best in 11 years when the Wildcats went 20-12-7 (.603) in 2012-13. This was UNH's first 20-win season in 10 years when the 'Cats recorded a 22-18-1 record in 2013-14.
The 'Cats, who were picked 10th in the Hockey East Preseason Poll, tied for fifth in the standings going 12-11-1 with 36 points which was their best finish in 10 years when the Wildcats were tied for fourth in 2013-14. The 12 wins were the most for the program in 11 seasons when the team went 13-8-6 in 2012-13.
UNH was nationally ranked for 20-consecutive weeks which included a No. 10 ranking on Nov. 20 which was the first time in six seasons the 'Cats were in the top-10 as they were No. 9 on Nov. 6, 2017.
The Wildcats posted a 2.34 team goals against average this season which was their best in 11 seasons when they recorded a 2.27 GAA in 2012-13. Junior goalie Jakob Hellsten (Ljusdal, Sweden) tallied a 2.04 GAA which ranked second all-time in program history. Ty Conklin posted a 1.84 goals against average in 1998-99.
Freshman forward Ryan Conmy (Alexandria, Va.) had 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 points. His 14 goals and 31 points were the most by a Wildcat freshman in seven seasons when Patrick Grasso posted 20 goals and 33 points. His 17 assists were the most by a freshman when James van Riemsdyk recorded 23 assists and Danny Dries posted 17 both in 2007-08.
The 'Cats went 14-4-1 at the Whittemore Center at Key Auto Group Complex this season including a 6-3-1 record versus nationally ranked teams, marking the most wins at home in 16 seasons when UNH also went 14-4-1 in 2007-08. The 'Cats defeated No. 1 Boston University, 6-4, in the home-opener on Oct. 13. The last time UNH defeated the No. 1 ranked team in the nation was a 3-2 win versus Cornell on April 10, 2003 in the national semifinal game in Buffalo, N.Y.
The Wildcats earned their first home playoff game in nine years as they defeated UMass Lowell, 1-0, in the Hockey East Opening Round. UNH's home attendance of 103,816 was its most in 10 seasons when 104,841 fans went to the Whitt in 2013-14.
Players Mentioned
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