2011-2012 Membership Drive
The UNH Men’s Hockey program relies on the financial and emotional support of friends. Join today and help make it happen for the Cats!
LEGACIES of UNH HOCKEY: BRUCE GILLIES ‘85
Interview by Allie Ginwala, ‘14 Friends of UNH Hockey Board Member
As a young boy growing up in New Hampshire, Bruce Gillies aspired to play professional sports. He grew up in the Concord, N.H. area where he was able to play hockey throughout his young life. Gillies praised Concord as having a “great youth hockey program, a great pond in town (called White Park, beautiful in the winter months), two great high school teams and a semi pro team,” Gillies said. What more could a young boy ask for?
To add to his love for sports, Gillies’ father was a goaltender so it was “a natural thing for my brothers and I to spend time watching him and on the ice playing,” Gillies said.
Keeping up with the family tradition, Gillies’ oldest son John is looking to play college hockey as well. A goaltender, just like his father.
Once it came time for Gillies to choose which college to attend, he chose UNH. The main reason for his decision was that UNH was the only University that would allow him to play for both the football and hockey teams.
Originally, Gillies started his career at UNH on a football scholarship. During his freshman and junior years, he played on both teams, but unfortunately suffered a knee injury as a sophomore playing football.
This left Gillies with a decision to make. Since he was able to be red-shirted on the hockey team, he was left with two years of hockey eligibility and only one of football eligibility. Ultimately, Gillies had to decide. “I was asked to make a decision and chose hockey,” Gillies said.
We had just shut out Cornell, at Cornell. I had my head down in the locker room still dressed, soaked and drained. Coach Holt came over to me and quietly kicked my pads twice and padded my left shoulder. I took that as his way of saying good job.
BEHIND THE SCENES
CENTER ICE MEMBERS LEARN ABOUT ‘CATS VIDEO TECHNOLOGY
In preparation for the upcoming weekend against Boston College, Head Coach Dick Umile and Associate Head Coach Jim Tortorella gave a video presentation to the Center Ice Club highlighting the technology used leading up to each hockey game.
Chairs were assembled in the Wildcats’ locker room while Umile and Tortorella spoke to the group about the team’s “smart board” which was paid for by the Friends of UNH Hockey. The “smart board” is a video technology which allows the coaching staff to break down video of UNH and opposition teams. In the week leading up to every game, video of the opposing team is analyzed by the coaching staff.
CAT TRACKS: CATCHING UP WITH BOBBY BUTLER
by Adam Hardenbrook- Friends of UNH Hockey Board Member
During his stellar senior season in 2009-2010, Bobby Butler electrified Wildcats fans with his offensive performance, and racked up accolades and awards all season long. Among his honors were first-team All Hockey East, Hockey East Player of the Year, First-Team All-American, and Hobey Baker Hat Trick Finalist. The honors continued as Butler moved on to the professional ranks. I caught up with Bobby Butler, to reflect on his time in Blue and White, and his first pro season with the Ottawa Senators franchise…
1. What was your fondest on-ice memory during your years at UNH?
I would have to say beating North Dakota in the NCAA Quarterfinals.
BOOSTER GUIDELINES
As a member of the Friends of UNH Hockey you are by definition a Representative of Athletic Interests. The NCAA has strict rules governing the actions of members of booster clubs when it comes to their interaction with student athletes and prospective student athletes. Please take a minute to familiarize yourself with the following guidelines to ensure that your actions do not violate the NCAA’s regulations and therefore negatively impact UNH’s Athletic Programs. If you are ever in doubt about the permissibility of your actions it is always best to Ask Before You Act by contacting the UNH Compliance Office.
I. WHO IS A BOOSTER?
Are you a representative of athletic interests (i.e. booster)?
YES, you are if you…….
- Have ever been a member of any UNH sport booster club;
- Have made donations to a UNH men’s or women’s athletic program (including gifts of cash, goods or services);
- Have ever helped to arrange or have provided employment for enrolled student-athletes;
- Have assisted or been requested to assist in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes; or
- Have been involved in the promotion of UNH athletics in any way.
Once an individual has been identified as a “booster”, he or she retains the identity Forever. Read more »
ON THE ROAD WITH THE CATS- St. Cloud
THE TEAM LEAVES FOR ST. CLOUD ON THURSDAY. HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you planning on making the trip to St. Cloud this weekend to support the team? If so, here are some recommendations and useful tidbits for your trip:
Links:
Directions From Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to the Rink-
The Brendan J. McDonald Rink
The National Hockey Center
720 4th Avenue South,
St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301
Parking
WELCOME BACK COACH TORTORELLA!
We would like to welcome returning coach Jim Tortorella back to the family of UNH Hockey! Coach Tortorella previously worked with Coach Umile as an assistant during the 1993-1994 seasons. He replaces former associate head coach David Lassonde, who has taken his talents to Colorado where he will serve as the assistant coach at the University of Denver.
Tortorella returns to UNH as associate head coach after 16 strong years as head coach at Colby College with a record of 230-138-33. Under his tutelage, the Colby Mules made 11 NESCAC playoff appearances, three ECAC playoff appearances – winning the 1997 ECAC title – and played in one NCAA tournament. He coached seven All-Americans, was named the New England Small College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in both 2006 and 2008 and the New England Writers Coach of the Year in 2008.
Coach Tortorella was named the assistant coach for both the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 USA World Junior Teams and served as the director of player development for the USA Hockey affiliates of New England for six years. He was elected president of the American Hockey Coaches Association in 2001, and in 2005 was selected as vice president of the AHCA’s Hockey’s Coaches Care Charitable foundation. He is well-liked and respected by coaches and players alike. Coach Tortorella will focus his efforts on the UNH defense. We are happy he has returned to join our team.
