| New Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey | |
|---|---|
 Current season | |
 | |
| University | University of New Hampshire |
| Conference | Hockey East |
| First season | 1924–25 |
| Head coach | Michael Souza 8th season, 91–118–27 (.443) |
| Assistant coaches |
|
| Arena | Whittemore Center Durham, New Hampshire |
| Colors | Blue, gray, and white[1] |
| NCAA tournament runner-up | |
| 1999,2003 | |
| NCAA tournament Frozen Four | |
| 1977,1979,1982,1998,1999,2002,2003 | |
| NCAA tournament appearances | |
| 1977,1979,1982,1983,1992,1994,1995,1997,1998,1999,2000,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2013 | |
| Conference tournament champions | |
| ECAC: 1979 Hockey East: 2002, 2003 | |
| Conference regular season champions | |
| Hockey East: 1992, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010 | |
| Current uniform | |
 | |
TheNew Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey team is aNational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division Icollege ice hockey program that represents theUniversity of New Hampshire. The Wildcats are a member ofHockey East. They play at theWhittemore Center Arena inDurham, New Hampshire.[2]
Efforts to organize an ice hockey team atNew Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts date to the early 1910s.[3] By January 1914, a college team was playing "a short schedule of games" against local teams such as an athletic association fromExeter, New Hampshire.[4] A summary of the 1914 hockey season—the team had a record of two wins and two losses—appeared in the college's 1916 yearbook.[5] However, games from this era are not considered part of varsity history. In July 1923, the school was renamed theUniversity of New Hampshire (UNH).
The first UNH ice hockey team considered part of varsity history played in January and February 1925. The team won its first two games, on consecutive days, in away matches againstBates College andColby College in Maine.[6] A year later, under the stewardship ofErnest Christensen, UNH played its first home game on a local rink, an outdoor facility that was dependent on cold weather for its surface. The Wildcats played a small number of games for their first 15 seasons, fluctuating between an undefeated season in 1926–27 and a winless campaign in 1931–32.[6]
In 1938, Christensen retired and the team eventually came under the tutelage ofAnthony Dougal, but his tenure was suspended in 1943 due to the outbreak of World War II. The team finally returned to the ice in January 1947, with Dougal remaining for one year before handing the program over toJoseph Petroski. After four rather poor seasons,Horace "Pepper" Martin took over and New Hampshire's fortunes began to change. By the mid-1950s, the Wildcats started to play more and win more games than they ever had before. In 1955, an artificial ice rink was constructed on campus to help the team play more than a handful of home games.[7]
In 1961 New Hampshire was one of 28 schools that were founding members ofECAC Hockey. Martin turned the team over toA. Barr Snively and plans were underway to replace theHarry C. Batchelder Rink with an indoor ice rink. In the offseason of 1964, two events happened that hampered the ice hockey program. First, in April, head coach Snively suffered a heart attack and tragically died.[8] With the school searching for a replacement the ECAC announced that it was dividing itself into two separate tiers. 'Major' programs would continue on withECAC Hockey but 'minor' schools would be forced to join the newly-formedECAC 2. Because their indoor facility had not yet been completed New Hampshire was forced out of the top tier.Rube Bjorkman was eventually named as head coach and he led the team for four years. During his tenure, the indoor arena was completed and christened as theSnively Arena after his late predecessor and a year later the program was readmitted into the top echelon of college hockey.
It was Bjorkman's successor,Charlie Holt, who put New Hampshire on the college hockey map. In Holt's first season UNH played its first postseason game, earning Holt his first of threeSpencer Penrose Awards. In his first five seasons, the Wildcats finished with a winning record and then won the ECAC regular season championship in his sixth year. The Wildcats made their first NCAA appearance in1977 and captured their first Conference championship two years later, but no matter how good Holt's teams were national success continued to elude him. under Holt the Wildcats went 0–6 in the frozen four and 2–8 in the tournament overall. While the wins started to come few and far between in the mid-1980s Holt continued to helm the program as it left ECAC Hockey to formHockey East with six other northeastern schools.
Holt stepped down in 1986 and was replaced by long-time assistantBob Kullen. In his first year the team saw marginal improvement but that summer Kullen was diagnosed with a rare form ofheart disease that necessitated a transplant and his missing an entire season to recuperate.[9]Dave O'Connor served as the interim head coach for1987–88 allowing Kullen to return in the fall of '88. In two years New Hampshire saw its wins total improve to 12 and then 17 but by 1990 Kullen started rejecting his new heart and was forced to resign. Another UNH assistant,Dick Umile, was named as his replacement and unfortunately, Kullen died in November 1990 at the age of 41. Hockey East swiftly renamed itscoach of the year award in his honor while the team continued the upward swing he began, allowing Umile to be the first recipient of the rechristened award.
In Umile second season New Hampshire made the NCAA tournament for the first time in almost a decade and retroactively finished first in the conference afterMaine was forced to forfeit 13 games. The team continued to play well for several seasons but after a disappointing season in 1996, the team won its first Hockey East Championship and set a new program record with 28 wins. The following year the Wildcats made the Frozen Four for the first time in 16 years and then reached even higher in1999. in the penultimate year of the millennium the Wildcats won 30 games for the first time, establishing a still-record of 31 victories (as of 2019), winning their second conference title (first outright) and were led by sophomore goaltenderTy Conklin and senior centerJason Krog, the latter won theNCAA scoring title by 16 points and captured theHobey Baker Award (UNH's only recipient as of 2019). Despite losing in theHockey East tournament finale The team received the #2 overall seed and a bye into the second round. The Wildcats defeated two Michigan schools to reach their first national championship game where they would ultimately fall in overtime to conference rival Maine.
UNH would continue to be a power in Hockey East, winning back to back conference championships in2002 and2003 and reached their second NCAA title game in '03 where they lost toMinnesota, 5-1. UNH would make the NCAA tournament every year from 2002 through2011 but the team could not make it out of the Regionals after 2003. Starting in 2012 the program began a slow decline, ending up dead-last in the conference in2017–18. After that season Umile decided to retire, leaving the school as the all-time leader in just about every coaching category and recording the third most wins all-time for one school at theDivision I level.
Umile's final act for the program was to name his successor, allowing 1999 alumnusMichael Souza to become the 14th head coach in program history.
After his tour of duty in the US Navy, he worked at the UNH as the Athletic Equipment Manager for a total of 38 years from 1963-2001. He was beloved by the students and staff and holds the record for most games attended including hockey, football, baseball and basketball. He was a member of the Athletic Equipment Managers Association.
As of the completion of 2024–25 season[11]
| Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1924–1925 | Hank Swasey | 1 | 2–2–0 | .500 |
| 1925–1936, 1937–1938 | Ernest Christensen | 12 | 55–54–8 | .504 |
| 1936–1937 | Carl Lundholm | 1 | 3–5–0 | .375 |
| 1938–1939 | George Thurston | 1 | 5–4–0 | .556 |
| 1939–1943, 1946–1947 | Anthony Dougal | 5 | 15–28–0 | .349 |
| 1947–1951 | Joseph Petroski | 4 | 9–20–0 | .310 |
| 1951–1962 | Horace "Pepper" Martin | 11 | 76–76–3 | .500 |
| 1962–1964 | A. Barr Snively | 2 | 23–22–0 | .511 |
| 1964–1968 | Rube Bjorkman | 4 | 57–40–0 | .588 |
| 1968–1986 | Charlie Holt | 18 | 347–232–18 | .596 |
| 1986–1987, 1988–1990 | Bob Kullen | 4 | 37–66–8 | .369 |
| 1987–1988 | Dave O'Connor | 1 | 7–20–3 | .283 |
| 1990–2018 | Dick Umile | 28 | 598–375–114 | .603 |
| 2018–Present | Michael Souza | 7 | 91–118–27 | .443 |
| Totals | 14 coaches | 99 seasons | 1,325–1,055–181 | .553 |
Source:[12]
| Player | Years | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ralph Cox | 1975–1979 | 128 | 127 | 116 | 243 | |
| Jason Krog | 1995–1999 | 151 | 94 | 144 | 238 | |
| Darren Haydar | 1998–2002 | 158 | 102 | 117 | 219 | |
| Jamie Hislop | 1972–1976 | 119 | 77 | 132 | 209 | |
| Mark Mowers | 1994–1998 | 144 | 85 | 112 | 197 | |
| Louis Frigon | 1967–1971 | 89 | 98 | 95 | 193 | |
| Bob Gould | 1975–1979 | 135 | 91 | 101 | 192 | |
| Cliff Cox | 1972–1976 | 108 | 87 | 88 | 175 | |
| Jon Fontas | 1974–1978 | 107 | 72 | 102 | 174 | |
| Frank Roy | 1975–1979 | 131 | 71 | 103 | 174 | |
| Joe Flanagan | 1988–1992 | 140 | 85 | 89 | 174 |
GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% =Save percentage; GAA =Goals against average
minimum 30 games played
| Player | Years | GP | Min | W | L | T | GA | SO | SV% | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ty Conklin | 1998–2001 | 93 | 5580 | 57 | 23 | 12 | 202 | 1 | .915 | 2.18 |
| Kevin Regan | 2004–2008 | 112 | 6599 | 70 | 29 | 10 | 250 | 9 | .928 | 2.27 |
| Casey DeSmith | 2011–2014 | 97 | 5637 | 48 | 36 | 8 | 218 | 9 | .923 | 2.32 |
| Jeff Pietrasiak | 2002–2006 | 55 | 2904 | 27 | 13 | 6 | 119 | 2 | .917 | 2.46 |
| Mike Ayers | 2000–2004 | 102 | 5755 | 58 | 25 | 12 | 239 | 12 | .914 | 2.49 |
Statistics current through the start of the 2019–20 season.
As of August 14, 2025.[13]
| No. | Nat. | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team | NHL rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Kristian Coombs | Freshman | G | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2005-06-25 | Calgary, Alberta | Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) | — |
| 2 | | Alex Carr | Freshman | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 194 lb (88 kg) | 2004-03-20 | Middle Sackville, Nova Scotia | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL) | — |
| 4 |  | Ryan Philbrick | Freshman | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 181 lb (82 kg) | 2004-07-20 | Concord, New Hampshire | Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL) | — |
| 5 | | Zach Hahn | Junior | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2002-08-06 | Huntington, New York | P.A.L. Jr. Islanders (NCDC) | — |
| 6 |  | Marty Laviņš | Junior | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2003-04-10 | Riga, Latvia | Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) | — |
| 7 | | Ryan MacPherson | Sophomore | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2005-03-02 | Windsor, Ontario | Penticton Vees (BCHL) | PHI, 172nd overall 2023 |
| 8 | | Reid Conn | Freshman | D | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 209 lb (95 kg) | 2004-02-04 | Centennial, Colorado | Chicago Steel (USHL) | — |
| 9 | | Jack Cronin | Graduate | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2001-03-31 | South Hamilton, Massachusetts | Princeton (ECAC) | — |
| 10 | | Ronan Walsh | Junior | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 2002-05-03 | Andover, New Hampshire | Amarillo Wranglers (NAHL) | — |
| 11 | | Connor DeTurris | Freshman | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2004-10-08 | Naperville, Illinois | Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL) | — |
| 13 | | Josh Player | Sophomore | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2005-05-13 | Thorofare, New Jersey | Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) | — |
| 15 | | Oscar Plandowski | Sophomore | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2003-05-18 | Red Deer, Alberta | New Brunswick (AUS) | DET, 155th overall 2021 |
| 16 | | J. P. Turner | Junior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 2003-01-31 | East Falmouth, Massachusetts | Fargo Force (USHL) | — |
| 17 | | Kristaps Skrastiņš | Senior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2001-11-20 | Grobiņa, Latvia | Amarillo Wranglers (NAHL) | — |
| 19 | | Brendan Fitzgerald | Junior | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 2003-03-06 | North Reading, Massachusetts | Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) | — |
| 22 | | Félix Gagnon | Freshman | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 174 lb (79 kg) | 2004-06-10 | Saguenay, Quebec | Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL) | — |
| 23 | | Jason Siedem | Junior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2002-10-17 | Madison, New Jersey | Blackfalds Bulldogs (AJHL) | — |
| 26 | | Morgan Winters | Senior | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 2001-12-08 | Osprey, Florida | Omaha Lancers (USHL) | — |
| 29 | | Cy LeClerc | Senior | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2002-08-17 | Brentwood, New Hampshire | Janesville Jets (NAHL) | — |
| 36 | | Kyle Chauvette | Senior | G | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 2001-10-05 | Goffstown, New Hampshire | Union (ECAC) | — |
| 37 | | Nick Ring | Junior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2003-10-26 | Abington, Massachusetts | Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) | — |
| 41 | | Jared Whale | Senior | G | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 2002-11-01 | Calgary, Alberta | Alaska Anchorage (NCAA) | — |
| 47 | | Sam Oliver | Freshman | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 183 lb (83 kg) | 2004-07-04 | Quispamsis, New Brunswick | Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) | — |
| 61 | | Cam MacDonald | Sophomore | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 194 lb (88 kg) | 2003-05-04 | Toronto, Ontario | Acadia (AUS) | TBL, 160th overall 2021 |
| 72 | | Conner de Haro | Freshman | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 192 lb (87 kg) | 2005-10-17 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) | — |
| 91 | | Jacob Newcombe | Freshman | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 203 lb (92 kg) | 2004-04-27 | Halifax, Nova Scotia | Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL) | — |
| 95 | | Nick De Angelis | Freshman | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 187 lb (85 kg) | 2004-05-22 | King City, Ontario | Sudbury Wolves (OHL) | — |
Hockey Hall of Fame[edit]Source:[14]
| United States Hockey Hall of Fame[edit]Source:[15]
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AHCA Second Team All-Americans
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| Most Outstanding Player in Tournament
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| Tournament Most Valuable Player
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This is a list of New Hampshire alumni were a part of anOlympic team.
| Name | Position | New Hampshire Tenure | Team | Year | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Miller | Center | 1974–1975, 1976–1977 | USA | 1976 | 5th |
| Steve Leach | Right Wing | 1984–1986 | USA | 1988 | 7th |
| Adrien Plavsic | Defenseman | 1987–1988 | CAN | 1992 |  Silver |
| Jeff Lazaro | Right Wing | 1986–1990 | USA | 1994 | 8th |
| James van Riemsdyk | Left Wing | 2007–2009 | USA | 2014 | 4th |
| Bobby Butler | Right Wing | 2006–2010 | USA | 2018 | 7th |
| Daniel Winnik | Forward | 2003–2006 | CAN | 2022 | 6th |
The following is a list of people associated with the New Hampshire men's ice hockey program who were elected into the New Hampshire Wildcats Hall of Fame (induction date in parentheses).[16]
As of July 1, 2025.[17]
| =NHL All-Star team | =NHL All-Star[18] | =NHL All-Star[18] andNHL All-Star team | =Hall of Famers |
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Several players also were members ofWHA teams.
| Player | Position | Team(s) | Years | Avco Cups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gordie Clark | Right Wing | CIN | 1978–1979 | 0 |
| John Gray | Center | PHX,HOU,WIN | 1974–1979 | 1 |
| Jamie Hislop | Forward | CIN | 1976–1979 | 0 |
| Gary Jacquith | Defenseman | SDM | 1975–1976 | 0 |
| Rod Langway | Defenseman | BIR | 1977–1978 | 0 |
| Cap Raeder | Goaltender | NEW | 1975–1977 | 0 |
| Guy Smith | Left Wing | NEW | 1972–1974 | 1 |
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