University of New Hampshire Athletics
Mike Souza and Dick Umile
Photo by: David Swanson
Umile Receives Legend of College Hockey Honor at Hobey Baker Awards Banquet
8/13/2025 3:44:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
Umile led UNH to 596 wins over 28 years as head men’s hockey coach
LAKE ELMO, Minn. – Former University of New Hampshire head men's hockey coach Dick Umile received the 2025 Legend of College Hockey honor at the Hobey Baker Awards Banquet at The Royal Club in Lake Elmo, Minn., on Thursday, Aug. 7.
The award, which started in 1981, honors the all-time great contributors to the game of college hockey. Without question, these individuals have left their valuable trademark on the collegiate game. They have led the way in all aspects of the game, from playing to coaching and even creating the rules. It's through their commitment to the game that fans everywhere can enjoy today's exciting world of college hockey.
"Dick Umile is an iconic figure in New Hampshire and he is an iconic figure in the legacy of our program," said UNH head coach Mike Souza, who spoke at the ceremony. "I did not know much about UNH until coach Umile walked into my living room in 1995. He sat down, looked at me and said 'if you play for me, I will treat you like you are my own kid.' And that was the truth. And I saw that over-and-over again over the years. He meant what he said and lived it every day. I am blessed to have played for him and worked with him."
Umile coached UNH for 28 years and guided the Wildcats to 596 victories, two national championship games, four Frozen Fours, 18 NCAA tournament appearances, eight Hockey East regular-season championships and two Hockey East tournament titles. The Wildcats won 20 or more games 20 times during his tenure.
"I would like to thank the Legends of College Hockey committee for this recognition as it is quite an honor," said Umile. "I really enjoyed the experience of coaching and I am very grateful for the love and support from my wife, children and grandchildren. Hockey has been so important to me and helped me develop as a person. It is very rewarding to receive this honor and be recognized with the other Legends of College Hockey."
Umile was named Coach of the Year a total of 11 times, including the Spencer Penrose Award winner as National Coach of the Year in 1999. He was tabbed the top coach in New England four times and Hockey East Coach of the Year a conference record six times.
The 596 wins are more than any head coach in UNH men's hockey history, and that total ranked third among active coaches – ninth all-time – when he announced his retirement in 2018. Umile became the eighth Division I men's hockey coach to record 500 wins at one school.
Umile, who graduated from UNH in 1972, posted 60 goals and 84 assists for 144 points as a player. He is the only member of the UNH Athletics Hall of Fame to be inducted as a player and a coach.
Past Winners of the Legends of College Hockey Award
The Wildcats start the 2025-26 season at Michigan State on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 9-10, while the home season will begin versus LIU (Oct. 24) and Quinnipiac (Oct. 25).
Individual game tickets for the 2025-26 University of New Hampshire men's hockey season are on sale now for all 17 home games by visiting UNHWildcats.com/BuyTickets or by calling (603) 862-4000.
The award, which started in 1981, honors the all-time great contributors to the game of college hockey. Without question, these individuals have left their valuable trademark on the collegiate game. They have led the way in all aspects of the game, from playing to coaching and even creating the rules. It's through their commitment to the game that fans everywhere can enjoy today's exciting world of college hockey.
"Dick Umile is an iconic figure in New Hampshire and he is an iconic figure in the legacy of our program," said UNH head coach Mike Souza, who spoke at the ceremony. "I did not know much about UNH until coach Umile walked into my living room in 1995. He sat down, looked at me and said 'if you play for me, I will treat you like you are my own kid.' And that was the truth. And I saw that over-and-over again over the years. He meant what he said and lived it every day. I am blessed to have played for him and worked with him."
Umile coached UNH for 28 years and guided the Wildcats to 596 victories, two national championship games, four Frozen Fours, 18 NCAA tournament appearances, eight Hockey East regular-season championships and two Hockey East tournament titles. The Wildcats won 20 or more games 20 times during his tenure.
"I would like to thank the Legends of College Hockey committee for this recognition as it is quite an honor," said Umile. "I really enjoyed the experience of coaching and I am very grateful for the love and support from my wife, children and grandchildren. Hockey has been so important to me and helped me develop as a person. It is very rewarding to receive this honor and be recognized with the other Legends of College Hockey."
Umile was named Coach of the Year a total of 11 times, including the Spencer Penrose Award winner as National Coach of the Year in 1999. He was tabbed the top coach in New England four times and Hockey East Coach of the Year a conference record six times.
The 596 wins are more than any head coach in UNH men's hockey history, and that total ranked third among active coaches – ninth all-time – when he announced his retirement in 2018. Umile became the eighth Division I men's hockey coach to record 500 wins at one school.
Umile, who graduated from UNH in 1972, posted 60 goals and 84 assists for 144 points as a player. He is the only member of the UNH Athletics Hall of Fame to be inducted as a player and a coach.
Past Winners of the Legends of College Hockey Award
The Wildcats start the 2025-26 season at Michigan State on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 9-10, while the home season will begin versus LIU (Oct. 24) and Quinnipiac (Oct. 25).
Individual game tickets for the 2025-26 University of New Hampshire men's hockey season are on sale now for all 17 home games by visiting UNHWildcats.com/BuyTickets or by calling (603) 862-4000.
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