WASHINGTON, D.C. – A storybook career and a touching personal story took the next logical step Friday night, as Boston University defenseman Matt Gilroy captured the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in college hockey in 2009.

Matt Gilroy joins Chris Drury as the second Boston University player to win the Hobey Baker Award

Gilroy beat out fellow Hobey Hat Trick finalists Colin Wilson, a teammate at BU, and Brad Thiessen, Northeastern’s standout goaltender, to claim the sport’s highest individual honor.

Gilroy’s story is a familiar one to college hockey fans. Ignored by recruiters, he walked on at BU as a forward, but moved to defense in search of ice time. Once head coach Jack Parker put him in the lineup, he could never take him out. Gilroy, who wears No. 97 in honor of his deceased brother, rewarded his coach with three All-America seasons and has led the Terriers to Saturday’s national championship game.

“He’s everywhere,” Vermont head coach Kevin Sneddon said Wednesday, the day before his team faced Gilroy in the semifinals. “Matt is a tremendous student-athlete, he’s a great ambassador for college hockey. He certainly deserves special recognition. He’s a great story, too. He was a forward, converted to defense as a walk-on and now he’s one of the best defensemen all-time to wear a Terrier uniform. I think that he’s got a great knack for knowing when to jump into a play, it’s almost like at certain times he’s a forward.”

Gilroy is the sixth defenseman to win the Hobey and the second BU Terrier (Chris Drury, 1998).
He posted 36 points (eight goals, 28 assists) in 44 games entering the championship game.

Gilroy was undrafted and a coveted free agent. At 24, he chose to return to school for his senior season and when he turns pro – perhaps as early as Sunday – he won’t be subject to NHL entry-level salary restrictions because of his age. A number of teams are expected to bid on his services, something that helped further the buzz around his ability.

Despite his skill and his backstory, Gilroy’s selection could surprise some. Many contend that Wilson, his teammate, is the best player on the Terriers, something that seemed quite apparent to those in attendance at the NCAA semifinals. Meanwhile, Thiessen was the player of the year in Hockey East, the conference that produced all three finalists.

Friday night, however, belonged to Gilroy, who received praise from Parker and fielded questions with the poise and maturity of someone who has grown accustomed to this kind of attention. As the most decorated player in college hockey this year, it’s easy to see why.

If Gilroy can lead his team to the national title Saturday night, his storybook season will be complete.