BC to Retire Mottau's Jersey

Former Boston College defenseman Mike Mottau will become the 13th hockey Eagle ever to have his number retired, according to bceagles.com. 

Mottau, who won the 2000 Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the top player in NCAA Division I men's hockey, will be honored on Nov. 27 at the Eagles' home game at Conte Forum against Minnesota. Although his jersey is being retired, Mottau's No. 3 will still remain in circulation on the Eagle roster.

A native of Avon, Mass. and a Thayer Academy product, Mottau posted 27 goals and 130 assists for 157 points to go with 228 penalty minutes in 163 career appearances in Maroon and Gold. He became the second Eagle ever following David Emma (1991) to earn the Hobey Baker Award, after putting up 6-37—43 points in 42 outings during his senior season. Johnny Gaudreau followed as BC's third Hobey Baker winner, in 2014.

A two-time All-America selection, Mottau still leads BC in career assists, and also helped the Eagles to three NCAA Frozen Fours (1998, 1999, 2000) and two national runner-up finishes. They also won two Hockey East Tournament titles (1998, 1999) during his tenure in Chestnut Hill.

Drafted by the New York Rangers (182nd overall) in 1997, Mottau went on to play in 321 NHL regular-season games with the Rangers, Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers. He notched 7-51—58 points and 164 PIM overall, and also picked up four points in 17 Stanley Cup Playoff contests with the Devils, before retiring in 2014, according to hockeydb.com. He also played in nearly 400 regular-season games in the American Hockey League.

No. 3 is currently worn at the Heights by freshman defenseman Luke McInnis, son of BC assistant coach and former forward Marty McInnis. It was worn the past three seasons by defenseman Ian McCoshen, who left school after his junior campaign last year to sign an NHL contract with Florida after helping the Eagles to the 2014 and 2016 NCAA semifinals.