MIKE SOUZA celebrates his 200th career point with his Wakefield teammates in 1996. The future Wildcat and now new head coach for UNH hockey, finished his high school career with a Middlesex League record 206 points.

Published in the March 8, 2018 edition.

By DAN PAWLOWSKI

DURHAM — Mike Souza was recently named the new head coach for the University of New Hampshire men’s hockey team. He will be officially introduced by UNH during a press conference on Wednesday, March 14. 

Souza, Wakefield High School class of 1996 and former standout for the Warriors, played four years at UNH for coach Dick Umile, who announced his retirement as the UNH head coach at the beginning of this season, his 28th year behind the Wildcats’ bench. Souza joined Umile’s staff as associate head coach in 2015. 

Often considered one of the best hockey players to ever come from Wakefield, Souza was a four-year starter and three-time league MVP for the Warriors and set the Middlesex League scoring record with 206 career points. Souza was a 2009 inductee into the WMHS Athletic Hall of Fame.

Souza went on to UNH where he averaged a point per-game. He recorded 66 goals and 90 assists for 156 points while appearing in 156 games over four years from 1996-2000. He also set a UNH ironman record of playing 156 straight games. 

Souza helped lead UNH to two Frozen Four’s in ‘98 and ‘99. The Wildcats were national runners-up during Souza’s junior season when he compiled 65 points (23 goals, 42 assists).

Umile and the coaching staff awarded Souza with the Lester E. Holt Coaches Award after his senior season in 2000, which is presented to a player who makes large contributions to the team both on and off the ice.

In a recent story posted on www.unhwildcats.com, Umile talked about Souza taking over the program.

“‘Obviously, I’m going to miss it,’ Umile said. ‘But I’m really excited that Mike Souza is taking over. I told the team yesterday he’s like one of my own. He knows all about UNH. He’ll do a terrific job.’

Umile is excited to watch what Souza does with the program going forward.

‘We’ve been fortunate to have some great assistant coaches here,’ Umile said. ‘Mike was someone that had played here and got into coaching and hopefully some day would come back here and coach. He’s a natural at it. He’s got a great feel for the game. He really knows the game well. He’s a people person. People like him right away. He’s respected right away. He’s really good. UNH is fortunate he’s going to be running this program and coaching these kids.’”

Souza was drafted 67th overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. He went on to play five seasons in the AHL, including three seasons with the Norfolk Admirals. Souza’s playing career later took him to Italy to play four seasons from 2006 to 2010 for SG Cortina in the Serie A League. Souza also gained Italian citizenship and competed for the Italy Men’s national hockey team in the 2009 and 2010 IIHF World Championship. 

Souza retired in 2011 and became an assistant coach with the Brown University men’s hockey team. He was an assistant with the University of Connecticut for two seasons starting in 2013 before reuniting with Umile at his Alma mater. 

A full story on Souza’s press conference will appear at a later date.