Mottau became the second Boston College player to win
the Hobey Baker Award, doing so in his senior season as
captain of the Eagles. A sound two-way defenseman, Mottau was named Hockey East Defenseman of the Year and a First Team all-star, and was Co-Player of the Year in the league. He recorded 44 points in 42 games played, setting Boston College and Hockey East records for career points by a defenseman. He set two other school records—most games played and most assists—surpassing former Hobey Baker winner David Emma. A communications major, Mottau, from Quincy, Massachusetts, won the Walter Brown Award for two years in a row as the top American-born player in New England. After spending seven seasons in the AHL, his perseverance paid off as he completed three seasons with the New Jersey Devils. He was in his second season with the NY Islanders in 2011-12 when he was traded late in the season to the Boston Bruins. He spent 2012-13 with San Antonio and Toronto of the AHL, and in the summer of 2013 he signed with the Florida Panthers, his sixth NHL franchise.