FanHouse brings you full coverage of the 2009 NCAA Men's Frozen Four in Washington, D.C.It's been a dream season for Boston University defenseman Matt Gilroy. Not every player who spurns offers to play professional hockey actually improves their stock and has a great season when they return to school.
When Gilroy turned down NHL organizations and went back to BU for his senior season, nothing was guaranteed. The former walk-on earned the top individual honor in the sport Friday, winning the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to college hockey's top player.
Gilroy's story is a great one. Not only did he put in four years at BU, but he started with the Terriers as a walk on. At the age of 17, he was a little-known defenseman who wasn't big enough (5-foot-6) to get noticed.
That was eight years ago. He grew (now listed at six-foot-two), matured (he's 25 years old), and became a real leader for a top college program.
Not only that, but a major component of a Hobey candidate is how you conduct yourself off the ice. Gilroy has that covered.
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.He's expected to sign a pro contract somewhere, but there's more business to take care of first. Gilroy's last of 160 games in a Boston University uniform will be his most significant, as the Terriers battle Miami University for the national championship.
