a question for UNH fans...

The Wildcats being a strong veteran team this year, I'm certainly not surprised that many of the frosh haven't seen much ice time so far this season. However, I'm very curious about what is happening with Leaf defense prospect, John Doherty, who's only made an appearance in 2 games for UNH so far. Someone on a different board suggested that he may be injured, while I think it's just a matter of a very crowded blue line...

Since Doherty isn't playing, it's really hard to come by any news about how he might be doing. If anyone has any info to share, I'd greatly appreciate it! :)

And good luck to the Wildcats this season - I hope to watch some of their games on TV.

No, he isn't hurt (That I know of)

You hit it right on when you touched on the crowded (and experienced) blueline.

With 3 Seniors and 2 Juniors back there who have taken regular shifts for years, it is tough to come by any playing time.

Just ask San Jose draft pick Michael Hutchins, who didn't play a single game last year and was red shirted, and has just started to see ice in the last 3 or 4 games once Senior Tim Horst was moved up to forward to make room.

Coach Umile likes to go with set lines and a set line up pretty much straight through. He usually does a rotation with 4 of the freshman forwards where 2 play for a game, then 2 the next game, then back to the first 2, etc.

There is no rush to throw Doherty in there, and I would guess, the way things are going now, that he won't see much ice this year unless there are some injuries (The only reason he has played 2 games so far were because of the 8 suspended players earlier in the year). He may see a game here or a game there, what he may be able to hope for is an injury, and then to come out and play strong hockey and earn a spot for himself to take a regular shift, much like Brian Yandle did last season.

As of right now the d looks like this:

Yandle Lubesnick
Mounsey Barker
Teplitsky Hutchins
Doherty/Murray

and that is with Horst at forward, and you can bet he would be moved back as soon as there is an injury, so Doherty is at best 8th on the depth chart.

But like I said before, with 3 seniors back there, he will be called upon to be a top 4 D-man for next year and beyond. UNH is just real patient with freshman, just ask Hutchins or with another similar situation with another 2nd round pick Ed Caron, who actually left after his freshman year because of lack of playing time (among other reasons) and then changed his mind and came back.

Thank you SO much for your detailed response! I didn't realize that Hutchins was a sophomore - all this time, I thought that he was the lone freshman who made the top 6.

I hope that Doherty will get some ice time along the way this season, but even if not, here's hoping that he's learning a lot by being a part of a solid hockey program at UNH. (but try explaining this to a bunch of very impatient Leaf fans ;) ...j/k )

Again, thank you. I'll come back to ask questions if I hear that Doherty got into a game. Cheers!

I saw that Doherty played in the game last night against UMass-Lowell. Did you see the game by any chance? I know that he got an assist on a second period goal by Tim Horst, but I'm curious about how he played generally. Thanks in advance!

I saw that Doherty played in the game last night against UMass-Lowell. Did you see the game by any chance? I know that he got an assist on a second period goal by Tim Horst, but I'm curious about how he played generally. Thanks in advance!

He looked OK. He was a bit uncomfortable in his own end, and especially with the breakout pass, he usually elected to just skate it up the ice himself.

He didn't get that much ice time, alot of the game was played on special teams, but he looked like he will be as good as he was preached as. He is very smooth offensively, he just needs to get a lot more comfortable in his own zone, and hopefully use his body more physically, but all of that comes with experience.

He must be working hard in practice, since he was rewarded with a start, so I would hope to see him get in some more games real soon, hopefully he can get into a rotation with Barker, and maybe Hutchins too. The real test is whether Horst stays at forward once Nathan Martz returns from injury, which could be as soon as this Saturday. If Horst stays up front, then it is between Barker and Doherty, and you should expect to see Doherty get in more games because Barker can't stay out of the penalty box. But if Horst moves back you have Barker/Doherty/Hutchins for the 6th spot, and he won't see much time. But he needs some game experience, so I would expect to see him thrown in there for more than I had originally said, probably for a lot of the non-league games down the stretch.

Thanks again, TMHUNH :)

m-gro,

New to the boards and I just saw your original post. I've had the chance to see Doherty live, now that he is getting some semi-regular playing time. From what I see, I can understand how scouts could really go for him. He appears to be an outstanding skater with good vision. It's been a more inconsistent season for UNH than most fans are used to, and when they aren't playing well, they seem to have a bad time with defensive zone turn-overs. To me, there is a noticiable difference when Doherty is on the ice. He's able to skate the puck out of his own end with ease, doesn't panic with the puck, and advances the puck to the forwards well. Due to his lack of playing time, I can't say that he does this on a consistent basis, but the way he carries the puck and his skating stride inspires confidence.

Doherty appeared more interested in the offensive side of things in the last game I saw him. He did a little pinching in and got some power play time. He looked a little gun shy about shooting, but that should come with experience.

Hope you find this interesting.