Countdown to Hobey:

Mike Mottau

Boston CollegeYear: 2000See School Profile Page

Mottau became the second Boston College player to win the Hobey, doing so in his senior season as captain of the Eagles. A sound two-way defenseman, Mike was named Hockey East Defensive Defenseman of the Year, a First Team All Star and was Co-Player of the Year in the league. He recorded 44 points in 42 games played, setting BC and Hockey East records for career points by a defenseman. Additionally, Mike set two other school records, most games played and most assists, surpassing former Hobey winner David Emma. A Communications major, Mottau won the Walter Brown Award for the second straight year as the top American-born player in New England. After spending seven seasons toiling in the American Hockey League, Mike’s perseverance paid off as he completed three seasons with the New Jersey Devils and was in his second season with the NY Islanders in 2011-12 before being traded late season to the Boston Bruins. He spent the 2012-13 season with San Antonio and Toronto of the AHL, and in the summer of 2013, signed with the Florida Panthers, his sixth NHL franchise. Mottau retired from pro hockey following the 2013-14 season and became a scout for the Chicago Blackhawks. Mottau left the hockey business and now is in business development for Sunrise Erectors.

Top Ten:

In the 1999-2000 college hockey season, Mike Mottau had a spectacular senior year playing for Boston College. As a standout defenseman and team captain, he put up impressive offensive numbers, scoring 11 goals and adding 32 assists for a total of 43 points in 42 games. His outstanding performance earned him the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, making him the second Boston College player and second defenseman to receive the honor. He was also named a First-Team All-American.

Career Stats

Playing Career

Coaching Career

2000 Runner Up

Steve Reinprecht
Wisconsin

Steve Reinprecht was a dominant force for the University of Wisconsin from 1996 to 2000. In his final season, he led the nation in scoring with 66 points (26 goals and 40 assists) in 37 games, a performance that earned him the WCHA Player of the Year award and a selection as a First-Team All-American. Reinprecht was also a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award in 2000, finishing as the runner-up. He was the only player to lead the Badgers in scoring for three consecutive seasons.

After his collegiate career, Reinprecht had a lengthy professional career that included 11 seasons in the NHL. Undrafted, he signed with the Los Angeles Kings and was later traded to the Colorado Avalanche, with whom he won a Stanley Cup in 2001. Over his NHL career, he played in 663 games for five different teams, totaling 382 points. He also played in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL), where he led the league in scoring in the 2014-15 season. Reinprecht retired from professional hockey in 2018.

Read More

Top 10 Finalists