The NCAA News - News and Features

April 13, 1998

Boston U. standout wins top hockey honor

BY STEPHEN R. HAGWELL
STAFF WRITER

BOSTON -- The third time proved to be the charm for Boston U. men's ice hockey forward Chris Drury.

After being nominated each of the past two years as a finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, the most prestigious award in collegiate men's ice hockey, Drury finally took home the coveted prize.

In front of a capacity crowd a few miles from his home rink, Drury, a senior, was named the recipient of the 1998 Hobey Baker Award at a ceremony held at Boston's historic Faneuil Hall.

Drury is the 18th recipient of the award, presented annually to the nation's most outstanding college hockey player. Drury edged Michigan State goaltender Chad Alban for the honor.

"No one is more deserving of the Hobey Baker Award than Chris Drury," Boston U. coach Jack Parker said. "He epitomizes all those qualities that you would want in a Hobey recipient. He is a great guy, a great teammate and a great player. He combines all the innate talent he has with the desire and determination to put that talent to best use. In my 25 years of coaching, I have never had a player like Chris."

Drury, the all-time leading goal-scorer at Boston U. with 116, is the first Terriers player to win the award. Boston U. has, in the 18-year history of the award, had nine finalists.

A native of Trumbull, Connecticut, Drury concluded his collegiate career with 57 points, including 28 goals. He was named the 1998 Hockey East Association player of the year, the second consecutive year he was so honored, and was instrumental in the Terriers claiming their fourth consecutive Hockey East regular-season title.

A history major, Drury is the fifth player to be named a Hobey Baker finalist three times.

The 1998 Hobey Baker Memorial Award is presented by Koho, a hockey equipment manufacturer, and USA Hockey, Inc., the national governing body of amateur hockey in America. Drury was selected by a vote of an 18-member selection committee composed of national print and broadcast media representatives, college coaches, professional scouts and a member of USA Hockey.