Boston University Hockey Defenseman Matt Gilroy

Though not yet 25, Matt Gilroy has known tremendous loss. When he was nine years old, his brother Timmy died from injuries sustained in a bicycle accident. Another brother, Brian, died only six days after birth. And his favorite uncle died when Gilroy was a teenager.

Before each play, the two-time All-American defenseman and mens ice hockey cocaptain taps his chest three times: once for Timmy, once for Brian, and once for Uncle Mike. I want them to know theyre always on my mind, says Gilroy (MET09), and that theyve helped me come as far as I have.

Gilroy has come a very long way since playing in suburban New York youth hockey leagues. Hes hoping to lead the BU ice hockey team to its first national championship since 1995, and hes a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the best college player in the country. More people know about the Heisman Trophy in football, but the Hobey is just as prestigious, and this year BU boasts two of the three finalists — the other is Colin Wilson (CAS11).

One of eight surviving children, Gilroy describes his family as very large and very sports-oriented. I think Ive had a ball or a puck or a lacrosse stick in my hand since birth. Sports-oriented, but not judgmental: although his father is a member of the St. Johns basketball hall of fame and his oldest brother played hoops for St. Anselm College, no one pushed Matt onto the court when it became clear he preferred the rink.

After high school, he played for two years in a junior league to prepare for collegiate hockey. I wanted to play at a school that had a rich hockey tradition, he says. And everyone knows the legacy of BU.

Gilroy was the last player to be selected for the 20052006 BU hockey team, the only one who didnt come in on a hockey scholarship. The acceptance came with a stipulation from Coach Jack Parker: Gilroy had to switch from forward to defenseman. The condition would have discouraged most players — Parker has said that in some ways, that was his intent — but Gilroy accepted the challenge. Its actually one of the best things that could have happened to me, he recalls, because it developed me into a two-way player.

During his freshman and sophomore years, Gilroy grew seven inches and gained more than 50 pounds. And his game improved — so much that less than two years after his tenuous beginning at BU, the pros came calling. Nearly every team in the National Hockey League was courting the player who had barely made the college team.

Gilroy never considered deserting his teammates. I wasnt ready to leave, he says. You only get four years of college hockey, and then its over. I didnt want to give that up.

Parker is grateful that his captain chose to stick it out. In spite of the coachs initial skepticism, he says Gilroy has developed into one of the strongest players hes seen in 36 seasons. Matts got an enormous amount of skill, he says. He has great skating ability, great vision, great puck-handling ability. And hes going to be a very skilled hockey player at the next level, I think. But most of all, hes just a great kid, a great guy.

BU has let me develop as a player and as a human being, Gilroy says. If you look back at all the men who have come through this program, you see that theyre not only good players, theyre good people.

Come Thursday, Gilroy and the rest of the hockey team will face the University of Vermont Catamounts in the NCAA Frozen Four semifinals. The pressure is on, but thats not on Gilroys mind. I dont have to psych myself up for this, he says. Ive been waiting to do this for four years. This is what college hockey is all about.

Regardless of what happens this week, and unlike many other pro-bound collegiate athletes, graduation will come for Gilroy. Then he plans to sit down with his big family and decide whats next. Theres little doubt that the NHL awaits.

I really want to play in a great hockey city — a Canadian city, an American city, it doesnt matter, he says. I just want to play in a city where hockey matters.

For more Boston University news and videos, check out http://today.bu.edu

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[wynobelly]

cant wait to see this guy on the rangers

[shotstopper13]

i have his game worn jersey from BU no lies. i wrote to boston university back in middle school for a project and specifically spoke about the hockey program. then i talked about how matt gilroy was my favorite player on the team and how he wore 97 in honor of his brother, and we were supposed to ask if they would mind sending a keychain or something small in return but i got a package and when i opened it up it was his red jersey with the coaches signature. i was sooo pumped to show the class:)

[hirofan]

Is he going to be on the roster on opening night? I think the Rangers will be decent this year.