Matt Gilroy
Encyclopedia
Matthew Gilroy is an American
professional ice hockey
defenseman
playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning
of the National Hockey League
(NHL).
Gilroy completed a four-year tenure with the Boston University Terriers of Hockey East
. A Hobey Baker Award
winner and NCAA champion
with the Terriers in his senior year, Gilroy is also a three-time All-American.
Like many of the prominent NHLers from Long Island
, Gilroy is a student of Lithuania
n hockey coach Aleksey Nikiforov
.
After a junior career in the Eastern Junior Hockey League
(EJHL) with the Walpole Jr. Stars (currently known as South Shore Kings
), Gilroy joined the college hockey
ranks with the Boston University Terriers of Hockey East
in 2005–06. Making the team as a walk-on, he was a natural forward but was forced into the eighth defenseman position – the only available role. After his third college season, Gilroy attracted considerable attention from the NHL
as an undrafted free agent, but had intentions of completing his degree at Boston University
.
In his senior year in 2008–09, he was named team captain
of the Terriers and recorded a college career-high 36 points in 43 games, first among Hockey East defensemen and third in the NCAA. He went on to lead the Terriers to their third Beanpot championship in four years en route to the Frozen Four Tournament. On April 10, 2009, Gilroy was announced as the winner of the 2009 Hobey Baker Award
. The next day, the Terriers competed for the NCAA championship
against the Miami RedHawks
. Trailing 3–1 late in the third period, the Terriers rallied with 2 goals in the final minute to force overtime. Gilroy earned an assist on Nick Bonino's game-tying goal with 17 seconds left. The Terriers won in overtime, defeating the RedHawks 4–3, making Gilroy just the fifth player to win the Hobey Baker Award and NCAA championship in the same season. He was additionally given his third All-American honor, becoming just the third NCAA player to earn the distinction as many times, after Rick Meagher
(1977) and Chris Drury
(1998).
. He had initially been linked to both the Toronto Maple Leafs
and Vancouver Canucks
in contract negotiations.
On October 5, 2009, Gilroy scored his first NHL goal, a game winner, against Martin Brodeur
of the New Jersey Devils
, a feat that he shares with fellow Rangers defenseman Marc Staal
.
Gilroy signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning
on July 2, 2011.
, New York
, to Frank and Peggy Ann Gilroy. Matt Gilroy is one of Eight children. His father is a member of the St. John's Basketball Hall of Fame, who was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers
. He graduated in 2003 from St. Mary's High School
in Manhasset, captaining the hockey team to two New York state championships. In addition to hockey, Gilroy played lacrosse
at St. Mary's and was named team MVP in his junior year, in addition to all-league selections in his junior and senior years.
Gilroy wears the number 97 in remembrance of his deceased brother Timmy, who died as the result of a bicycle accident at eight years old. Separated by 13 months, Matt and Timmy played on the same hockey teams growing up and wore the numbers 98 and 97, respectively, in homage to Wayne Gretzky
. Traditional team policy with the Boston University Terriers does not permit players to wear high numbers deemed flamboyant and self-endorsing by head coach Jack Parker. However, given the circumstances, Gilroy was allowed by Parker to wear 97. Gilroy also has an older brother, Frank Jr., who played basketball for St. Mary's High School
and St. Anselm College. His younger brother, Kevin, joined Matt on the Terriers for their 2009 championship year.
Source: Matt Gilroy's Boston University Profile
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
defenseman
Defenceman (ice hockey)
Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL).
Gilroy completed a four-year tenure with the Boston University Terriers of Hockey East
Hockey East
Hockey East Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates in New England. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference....
. A Hobey Baker Award
Hobey Baker Award
The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St...
winner and NCAA champion
NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship
The annual NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship tournament determines the top men's ice hockey team in NCAA Division I and Division III. The semi-finals and finals of the Division I Championship are branded as the Frozen Four, a passing nod to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship - known...
with the Terriers in his senior year, Gilroy is also a three-time All-American.
Like many of the prominent NHLers from Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, Gilroy is a student of Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
n hockey coach Aleksey Nikiforov
Aleksey Nikiforov
Aleksey Nikiforov is a former professional hockey player for the Dynamo Riga team of the Russian Elite League. He is the father of New York Islanders prospect Vladimir Nikiforov...
.
Amateur
Eastern Junior Hockey League
The Eastern Junior Hockey League is an American Tier III Junior A ice hockey league. Founded in 1993 by Dan Esdale, the EJHL has fourteen teams from across the Northeastern United States. The EJHL is a member of USA Hockey, and the EJHL champion goes on to play for the National Championship...
(EJHL) with the Walpole Jr. Stars (currently known as South Shore Kings
South Shore Kings
The South Shore Kings is a Tier III Junior A ice hockey team playing in the Eastern Junior Hockey League. The team plays at the Foxboro Sports Center located in Foxboro, Massachusetts...
), Gilroy joined the college hockey
College hockey
College hockey refers to ice hockey played between colleges with their teams composed of enrolled students. College hockey is played in Canada and the United States, though leagues outside of North America exist....
ranks with the Boston University Terriers of Hockey East
Hockey East
Hockey East Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates in New England. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference....
in 2005–06. Making the team as a walk-on, he was a natural forward but was forced into the eighth defenseman position – the only available role. After his third college season, Gilroy attracted considerable attention from the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
as an undrafted free agent, but had intentions of completing his degree at Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
.
In his senior year in 2008–09, he was named team captain
Captain (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...
of the Terriers and recorded a college career-high 36 points in 43 games, first among Hockey East defensemen and third in the NCAA. He went on to lead the Terriers to their third Beanpot championship in four years en route to the Frozen Four Tournament. On April 10, 2009, Gilroy was announced as the winner of the 2009 Hobey Baker Award
Hobey Baker Award
The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St...
. The next day, the Terriers competed for the NCAA championship
NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship
The annual NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship tournament determines the top men's ice hockey team in NCAA Division I and Division III. The semi-finals and finals of the Division I Championship are branded as the Frozen Four, a passing nod to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship - known...
against the Miami RedHawks
Miami RedHawks men's ice hockey
The Miami RedHawks men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Miami University. The RedHawks are a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association...
. Trailing 3–1 late in the third period, the Terriers rallied with 2 goals in the final minute to force overtime. Gilroy earned an assist on Nick Bonino's game-tying goal with 17 seconds left. The Terriers won in overtime, defeating the RedHawks 4–3, making Gilroy just the fifth player to win the Hobey Baker Award and NCAA championship in the same season. He was additionally given his third All-American honor, becoming just the third NCAA player to earn the distinction as many times, after Rick Meagher
Rick Meagher
Richard Joseph Meagher is a former Canadian ice hockey player. He played with the Montreal Canadiens, Hartford Whalers, New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues. He won the Selke Trophy in 1990 with the Blues. He is currently a scout for the St...
(1977) and Chris Drury
Chris Drury
Christopher Drury is an American retired professional ice hockey player. Drury is a Hobey Baker Award-winner with Boston University, a Calder Trophy winner with the Colorado Avalanche, a Stanley Cup champion with the Avalanche, a two-time Olympic silver medalist with the United States, and a...
(1998).
Professional
On April 17, 2009, Gilroy signed a two-year, $3.5-million contract with the New York RangersNew York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
. He had initially been linked to both the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
and Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
in contract negotiations.
On October 5, 2009, Gilroy scored his first NHL goal, a game winner, against Martin Brodeur
Martin Brodeur
Martin Pierre Brodeur is a French-Canadian ice hockey goaltender who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils. In his 19-year tenure with the Devils, he has won three Stanley Cup championships and has been in the playoffs every year but two...
of the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, a feat that he shares with fellow Rangers defenseman Marc Staal
Marc Staal
Marc Staal is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League...
.
Gilroy signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
on July 2, 2011.
Personal life
Gilroy was born in North BellmoreThe Bellmores, New York
Bellmore is a hamlet in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population according to the 2010 census was 16,218...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, to Frank and Peggy Ann Gilroy. Matt Gilroy is one of Eight children. His father is a member of the St. John's Basketball Hall of Fame, who was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
. He graduated in 2003 from St. Mary's High School
St. Mary's High School (Manhasset, New York)
St. Mary's College Preparatory High School is a private Catholic high school in Manhasset, New York. Located on the north shore of Nassau County, also known as the gold coast, the campus is just a few blocks from the Miracle Mile. St...
in Manhasset, captaining the hockey team to two New York state championships. In addition to hockey, Gilroy played lacrosse
Lacrosse
Lacrosse is a team sport of Native American origin played using a small rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse or lacrosse stick, mainly played in the United States and Canada. It is a contact sport which requires padding. The head of the lacrosse stick is strung with loose mesh...
at St. Mary's and was named team MVP in his junior year, in addition to all-league selections in his junior and senior years.
Gilroy wears the number 97 in remembrance of his deceased brother Timmy, who died as the result of a bicycle accident at eight years old. Separated by 13 months, Matt and Timmy played on the same hockey teams growing up and wore the numbers 98 and 97, respectively, in homage to Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
. Traditional team policy with the Boston University Terriers does not permit players to wear high numbers deemed flamboyant and self-endorsing by head coach Jack Parker. However, given the circumstances, Gilroy was allowed by Parker to wear 97. Gilroy also has an older brother, Frank Jr., who played basketball for St. Mary's High School
St. Mary's High School (Manhasset, New York)
St. Mary's College Preparatory High School is a private Catholic high school in Manhasset, New York. Located on the north shore of Nassau County, also known as the gold coast, the campus is just a few blocks from the Miracle Mile. St...
and St. Anselm College. His younger brother, Kevin, joined Matt on the Terriers for their 2009 championship year.
Awards
- Won the Beanpot with Boston UniversityBoston UniversityBoston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
in 2006, 2007, and 2009. - Named to the Ledyard National Bank Classic All-Tournament Team in 2007.
- Named to the Second All-American Team in 2007.
- Named to the First All-American Team in 2008 and 2009.
- Won the Bob Monahan Award (Top Defenseman in New EnglandNew EnglandNew England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
) in 2008. - Named to the Nye Frontier Classic All-Tournament Team in 2008.
- Named the Denver Cup MVP in 2009.
- Won the Hobey Baker AwardHobey Baker AwardThe Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St...
in 2009. - Won the NCAA ChampionshipNCAA Men's Ice Hockey ChampionshipThe annual NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship tournament determines the top men's ice hockey team in NCAA Division I and Division III. The semi-finals and finals of the Division I Championship are branded as the Frozen Four, a passing nod to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship - known...
with Boston University in 2009.
Source: Matt Gilroy's Boston University Profile
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... | A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... | Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... | PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2005–06 | Boston University | HE Hockey East Hockey East Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates in New England. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference.... |
36 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Boston University | HE | 39 | 9 | 17 | 26 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 2007–08 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season The 2007–08 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season began on October 7, 2007 and ended with the 2008 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament's championship game on April 12, 2008 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado... |
Boston University | HE | 40 | 6 | 15 | 21 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season The 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season began on October 10, 2008 and concluded with the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament's championship game on April 11, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.... |
Boston University | HE | 45 | 8 | 29 | 37 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
69 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 AHL season The 2009–10 AHL season was the 74th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 regular-season games each from October 2 to April 11... |
Hartford Wolf Pack Hartford Wolf Pack The Connecticut Whale is a professional ice hockey team based in Hartford, Connecticut. They play in the American Hockey League . They play their home games at the XL Center.... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
New York Rangers | NHL | 58 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| NHL totals | 127 | 7 | 19 | 26 | 37 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 2010 IIHF World Championship The 2010 IIHF World Championship was the 74th IIHF World Championship, an annual international ice hockey tournament. It took place between 7 and 23 May 2010 in Germany. The games were played in the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, SAP Arena in Mannheim, and one game at Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen... |
United States | WC | 6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Senior int'l totals | 6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||