WAKEFIELD, Mass. - The Hockey East Association is pleased to announce that Boston University’s Chris Drury has been
named Hockey East’s Best Defensive Forward, as the league continues its 25th Anniversary celebration. Drury was chosen in a
vote comprised of Hockey East fans and members of the league’s 25th Anniversary Committee.
“Chris certainly established himself as one of the premier players in the league with the Terriers, not only offensively, but on the
defensive side, as well. I think the fans definitely have come out in full force for the online voting portion of the 25th celebration. I
think they were right on, honoring Chris with this award,” said Hockey East Commissioner Joe Bertagna.
Drury, a native of Trumbull, Conn., was named Hockey East Player of the Year in both 1996-97 and 1997-98. He was also
named Hockey East’s Best Defensive Forward for the 1997-98 season. A three-time finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, Drury
took home that coveted award during his senior campaign in 1997-98. He holds the Hockey East single-season goals-per-game
record, averaging 1.13 goals per game in 1996-97, and is the 12th highest scorer in Hockey East history with 133 career points
(74g,59a) in 94 career Hockey East contests. He was also one of 15 Hockey East players to be named a Hockey East All-Star on
three occasions.
A three-time All-American, Drury helped the Terriers earn four straight Hockey East regular season titles and two Hockey East
tournament championships (1995 and 1997). He played in three consecutive Frozen Fours (1995-97) and earned a national title
as a member of BU’s 1995 championship squad.
“This shows you what a great player Chris was, being honored as the best defensive forward, when he was arguably the most
talented offensive forward in the league - he definitely didn’t win the Hobey Baker Award because he could back-check. It’s a tribute
to him as a great all-around player and a great all-around competitor,” said Boston University head coach Jack Parker.
Recording 44 points in his first NHL season with Colorado, Drury was awarded the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. In
doing so, he became the first player in history to have won both the Hobey Baker Award and the Calder Trophy. He lifted the Stanley
Cup as a member of the Avalanche in 2001 and was a member of Team USA’s silver-medal squad at the Olympics in 2002.
Currently the captain of the New York Rangers, Drury has also played for the Calgary Flames and Buffalo Sabres in his 10-year
NHL career. He has scored 230 goals and added 320 assists in his 754 game NHL career.
Here is a list of the remaining players that finished in the Top Ten voting for Best Defensive Forward, in alphabetical order: Mark
Bavis (BU), Mike Bavis (BU), Preston Callander (UNH), Bob Corkum (Maine), Bill Dohaney (UML), Jeff Giuliano (BC), Peter Marshall
(BU), Greg Moore (Maine) and John Sadowski (UNH).
Hockey East’s Best Defensive Forward was chosen by a fan vote through the league’s official website – HockeyEastOnline.com
- and votes from Hockey East’s 25th Anniversary Committee, which includes representatives from each Hockey East school.
Throughout the season, fans can cast their ballots for Hockey East’s All-Time Team, Top 25 Forwards, and Top 25 Defenders. In
addition to these major categories, the conference will unfold a number of other ballot questions at regular intervals throughout the
year. The next short-term ballot will begin on January 15 and run through January 25. At that time, fans will be able to cast their
votes for “Hockey East’s Unsung Hero.”
The league has already announced four award winners during the 25th anniversary celebration, including: Top Goalie (Chris Terreri
- PC), Best Goal Scorer (Brian Gionta - BC), Best Playmaker (Paul Kariya - Maine) and Best Defensive Defenseman (Brian Leetch
- BC).
