BC's Mottau Wins Hobey Baker
Boston College defenseman Mike Mottau, a New York Rangers draft pick, beat two teammates and seven others on Friday to win the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in college hockey.
"I think he'll be right up there with Doug Flutie, Dana Barros and (1991 Hobey Baker winner) David Emma as ambassadors for Boston College," Eagles coach Jerry York said. "We're certainly pleased to have him on our team."
Mottau is the third defenseman to win in the award's 20-year history, joining Harvard's Mark Fusco and Minnesota-Duluth's Tom Kurvers in 1983 and '84.
"It's been a long time coming," York said, noting also that Minnesota's Robb Stauber, who won in 1988, is the only goalie to win the award. "I think it's time we look at the goaltenders, too."
The finalists included two of Mottau's teammates, Brian Gionta and Jeff Farkas just the second time three teammates have been among the finalists. Boston College will play North Dakota and their Hobey Baker finalist, Jeff Panzer, for the NCAA title at the Providence Civic Center on Saturday night.
"I'm really proud of the two guys on my team who were finalists," Mottau said. "Hockey is a team game. This is an individual award, and there's no possible way this could be accomplished without my teammates."
York said it was difficult to pick a favorite among his players.
"They were all major contributors and they all deserved the recognition," he said. "I think Michael was our most indispensable player, so he was probably our most valuable player. So I think they did a nice job in choosing."
Also Friday, Maine forward Jim Leger was given the Humanitarian Award, an honor that has been handed out since 1996 to recognize hockey's finest citizen.
Leger, of Saugus, Mass., went from being a walk-on to captain of the defending NCAA champions while compiling a 3.67 grade point average as a public management major. He has also volunteered at the university's Toys for Tots program and worked with local school children through the Community Reading Program.
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