How Things Went Wrong With Hobey

The news broke today that Matt Gilroy was not qualified with the rest of the Rangers Group II restricted free agents.

Given Gilroy had a two-year, $3.5 million contract and would have to had to been qualified at $2.3 million. Financially the numbers just don't work for a player who was a third pairing blueliner ... at best. The Rangers apparently offered him another deal at a lower number but Gilroy will test the waters on July 1st.

So what went wrong?

Gilroy raised the Rangers' expectations (and the final amount of his contract) with a Hobey Baker Award-winning senior year at Boston University. Looking back, the fact that he was joined on the BU blueline by five guys who were all drafted and have all gone pro since should have brought some doubt into the equasion. Opposing schools had to worry about NHL first round selection Kevin Shattenkirk, giving Gilroy more time and space.

Hobey then raised the fans's expectations with this and this. But that came during a time the team came out of the gate flying - the Rangers opened 2009-10 with a 8-3-1 run and everyone was focused on supposed phenom Michael Del Zotto.

Del Zotto was getting prime ice time, especially with the man advantage. Gilroy was left at the bottom of the depth chart, forced to skate with Wade Redden or Michal Rozsival - not a good position to be in. A guy who was supposed to be able to carry the puck and put up points was left cleaning up his partners' mistakes and dumping the disc off the glass. This last season was even worse as he was leapfrogged by Mike Sauer and Ryan McDonagh and his minutes per game dropped well below the 15 minute mark. Gilroy did step up his game late and played some solid, if unspectacular shifts in the playoffs but they were not enough to earn another big money deal.

This fall should see Tim Erixon, Tomas Kundratek, Pavel Valentenko, Jyri Niemi and even Mikhail Pashnin challenge for spots on Broadway. Seeing as Glen Sather is considering adding a veteran on July 1st as well, well, that doesn't leave any room for Hobey. Best wishes to the Bellmore boy.

 The Unraveling of a Hobey Hopeful: How Things Went Wrong for [Player's Name]

The Hobey Baker Award is one of college hockey's most prestigious honors, recognizing the top player in NCAA Division I men's ice hockey. Over the years, the award has celebrated outstanding talent and sportsmanship on the ice. However, not every player who enters the college hockey scene with high hopes of winning the Hobey Baker Award achieves that dream. This article delves into the story of [Player's Name], a promising talent whose journey took an unexpected turn, exploring the factors that contributed to their dashed Hobey hopes.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Hobey Baker Dream

The Prestige of the Hobey Baker Award

The Rise of [Player's Name]

Early Career Success and High Expectations

The College Commitment

Choosing the Right Program

The Hobey Baker Contender

[Player's Name]'s Stellar College Career

Unforeseen Challenges

Injuries, Slumps, and Setbacks

Team Performance

The Impact of Team Dynamics

The Weight of Expectations

Coping with Pressure and Scrutiny

Missed Opportunities

Close Calls and Near-Misses

The Turning Point

When the Hobey Dream Began to Fade

The Hobey Baker Legacy

Past Winners and Their Impact

: Lessons from [Player's Name]'s Journey

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

1. Introduction: The Hobey Baker Dream

The Prestige of the Hobey Baker Award

The Hobey Baker Award is often considered the Heisman Trophy of college hockey, symbolizing excellence both on and off the ice.

2. The Rise of [Player's Name]

Early Career Success and High Expectations

[Player's Name] entered the college hockey scene with immense promise, having demonstrated exceptional talent and potential in their early career.

3. The College Commitment

Choosing the Right Program

Selecting the right college program is a critical decision for aspiring Hobey Baker contenders. [Player's Name]'s choice of college played a pivotal role in their journey.

4. The Hobey Baker Contender

[Player's Name]'s Stellar College Career

This section explores [Player's Name]'s remarkable college career, showcasing their achievements and contributions to their team.

5. Unforeseen Challenges

Injuries, Slumps, and Setbacks

The path to the Hobey Baker Award is seldom without hurdles. Injuries, performance slumps, and unforeseen setbacks tested [Player's Name]'s resilience.

6. Team Performance

The Impact of Team Dynamics

The performance of a player's team can significantly influence their chances of winning the Hobey Baker Award. Team dynamics and results are examined in this section.

7. The Weight of Expectations

Coping with Pressure and Scrutiny

The high expectations placed on Hobey Baker hopefuls can be both a motivator and a burden. This part of the article delves into the psychological aspects of the journey.

8. Missed Opportunities

Close Calls and Near-Misses

Sometimes, winning the Hobey Baker Award comes down to a matter of inches. [Player's Name] experienced moments of near-glory that ultimately eluded them.

9. The Turning Point

When the Hobey Dream Began to Fade

Every journey has a turning point. This section explores the pivotal moments that led to the fading of [Player's Name]'s Hobey Baker dreams.

10. The Hobey Baker Legacy

Past Winners and Their Impact

The article takes a moment to reflect on past Hobey Baker Award winners and their lasting impact on the world of hockey.

11. Conclusion: Lessons from [Player's Name]'s Journey

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

In conclusion, [Player's Name]'s story serves as a reminder of the resilience required to pursue a dream relentlessly, even when the path takes unexpected twists and turns.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Who is [Player's Name]?

A1: [Player's Name] is a college hockey player whose journey to the Hobey Baker Award is the subject of this article.

Q2: How does the Hobey Baker Award selection process work?

A2: The Hobey Baker Award is typically awarded to the top player in NCAA Division I men's ice hockey based on their on-ice performance, character, and sportsmanship.

Q3: Are there other notable players who missed out on the Hobey Baker Award?

A3: Yes, there have been many talented players in college hockey history who came close to winning the Hobey Baker Award but ultimately fell short.

Conclusion

The article sheds light on the trials and tribulations of [Player's Name]'s journey in pursuit of the Hobey Baker Award. It serves as a poignant reminder that success in sports often comes with unexpected challenges and setbacks, emphasizing the importance of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.