Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee Chairman, Lance Madson, and 2009 Hobey Baker Award winner Matt Gilroy

The Hobey Baker Memorial Award, presented by Mazamba, announced today the 2009 recipient of college hockey’s top individual prize is Matt Gilroy from Boston University.  The announcement came during the NCAA Frozen Four championship at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., as part of Friday at the Frozen Four festivities. 

Captain of the Hockey East regular season and playoff champion Terriers, the senior defenseman from North Bellmore, N.Y., has enjoyed an incredible season, culminating with BU entering the NCAA Frozen Four national championship as the No. 1 seed, after being ranked No. 1 in the national polls for a good portion of the season.  Gilroy becomes the second BU skater to be honored with the Hobey after Chris Drury won in 1998.

The Hobey Baker Award, named for the legendary Princeton hockey player who was known as America’s greatest amateur athlete of his era, died testing a repaired aircraft at the end of World War I.  Hobey criteria includes strength of character on and off the ice, displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements.  Gilroy was selected from a group of 10 finalists by the votes of a 25-member selection committee, along with the results of an online fan ballot.

A pro hockey free agent, Gilroy turned down several pro contract offers last summer, returning to complete his collegiate career.  And what a year it’s been.  Logging plenty of ice time each game, he tallied a total of 36 points on 8 goals and 28 assists in 43 games, with 24 of his points coming on the road.  He led all defenseman in scoring in Hockey East and presently ranks third among all defensemen in the nation. 

Gilroy was recognized as a First Team all-star in Hockey East, becoming the first defenseman in league history to be so honored three times.  Post-season accolades continued as Matt was recently named the recipient of the Walter Brown Award as the best American-born college player in New England.  Not bad for a guy whose career began as a walk-on.  He has now played in a remarkable 145 consecutive games.

Gilroy was all-tourney at the Northeast Regional and has a brother Kevin, who is a freshman forward with the Terriers.  Matt wears number 97 to honor his deceased brother Timmy.  The Gilroy family runs a summer basketball league on Long Island during the summer.  Matt also volunteers with the Autism Speaks program and was a driving force behind the “Starr of the Game” benefit to honor long-time BU booster Meryl Starr Herman who passed away after a battle with cancer.  A management studies major, his dad Frank played basketball at St. John’s and was a Philadelphia 76ers draft pick.

Video link courtesy of ESPN.