60 Days. 60 Teams. 600 Words (or Less): New Hampshire

University of New Hampshire

2018-19 Record: 12-15-9 (8-10-6, 8th in Hockey East)
Head Coach: Mike Souza, 2nd Year
Top returning scorers: Liam Blackburn (10G-14A) and Angus Crookshank (10G-13A)
Top returning goaltender: Mike Robinson (Jr.)

The coach in waiting had to wait no more. However, when the first UNH season not featuring Dick Umile as head coach since 1990 came to an end, the Wildcats waited for more games without a winner than any other in program history.

There were ties...and lots of them.

New Hampshire finished with a nation-high nine ties last season. Five came in the first two months of the season as the Wildcats began 2-7-5. The next two months went slightly better. UNH was 8-1-3 between December 7th and February 1st before stumbling down the stretch against Hockey East's top teams.

Rather than break down by three different periods of the season, it's easier to look at how New Hampshire fared when playing top teams versus everyone else. The Wildcats had a winning record (10-7-5) against teams below .500 and a losing record (2-8-4) versus teams finishing the season at or above .500.

What's New: Sadly, the end of another long Wildcat era. The last van Riemsdyk has moved on.

While technically, thanks to early departures, there hasn't been a continuous run of van Riemsdyk children at New Hampshire, it's felt like one thanks to a steady stream of one on the horizon since before James stepped foot on campus in 2007. Youngest van Riemsdyk brother Brendan left the program after last season. He will be using a grad transfer to suit up for Northeastern.

Still, this season should see New Hampshire's first-ever Swede actually play. Filip Engaras had to sit out last season due to eligibility issues. The two-way center, who played for Sweden in international competition, did practice with the team. He should be eligible this season, giving Souza another weapon down the middle.

In addition, five more newcomers join the Wildcats. That includes another Swede in defender Kalle Eriksson.

Closing Thoughts: Maybe it's fitting that UNH ended up with more tie games than any other team because the Wildcats are in the middle. New Hampshire hasn't won nor really lost. Right now it's hard to tell how the future goes. Mike Souza's group, for the most part, beat the teams it should and lost to ones who contended for an NCAA Tournament berth.

New Hampshire once again has young building blocks. The Wildcats were the 10th youngest last season and look to hitch much of its success to its youngsters. Two of UNH's top three returning scorers, potential all-name team nominee Angus Crookshanks and Jackson Pierson, were freshmen last season. Now an upperclassman, junior Mike Robinson has another year of experience in goal. Max Gildon continues to be a key piece on the blue line.

Add in a freshman class that should play key roles and there are individual pieces to help get a once regular NCAA Tournament staple to end its postseason wait. That said, UNH is an interesting contrast to yesterday's featured team, Boston College. Both Hockey East schools finished with similar offensive totals. Both look to get help from their underclassmen. However, one features high-end talent for an immediate. The other features older, talented four-year players. No UNH freshmen were drafted.

Both methods have worked in recent years. Both have not.

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