Andover alumni and former Andover Boys Hockey stars Chris Kreider ’10 and Brooks Dyroff ’09 took their skills to the next level this year on the Boston College Mens Hockey team and contributed to BC’s national championship.
“Winning the national championship is a hard feeling to explain,” said Kreider. “It’s such a mixture of emotions. To reach something you’ve dreamed about your entire life is indescribable. At the same time it’s really sad knowing that you won’t get to play with the same group of guys again.”
Kreider led the team in scoring this year with 24 goals. During his two-year career at BC, he had a total of 92 points in 114 games, 49 of which were goals.
Kreider’s immediate future in hockey looks extremely bright. At 6’3” and a skilled speed skater, Kreider was the 19th overall pick in the 2009 NHL draft by the New York Rangers. On Tuesday, he signed a three-year entry contract with the Rangers and will be a part of the team as it makes its run for the Stanley Cup next year.
“One minute I’m playing in the national championship game with BC, and the next minute I’m on my way to New York. It’s surreal,” said Kreider.
In addition to his skills on the ice, Dyroff has been recognized for his commitment to giving back to the community.
Last year, Dyroff won one of the most prestigious awards in college, the Hockey Humanitarian Award. He secured the honor for his nonprofit organization, CEO4Teens, which creates educational opportunities for less fortunate teens around the world, eventually aiding them to get a job and sufficient income.
Additionally, Dyroff maintains one of the highest GPAs on the team.
Andover Boys Hockey Coach Dean Boylan had only good things to say about Kreider and Dyroff. He said, “Watching Brooks [Dyroff] win the 2011 NCAA Humanitarian Award and now watching Chris [Kreider] head off to the Rangers, it is hard for me to put into words how proud I am of their accomplishments. I always finish every conversation about either of them by saying that as good as they both are on the ice, they are every bit as good or better off the ice, and I really mean that.”
Dyroff attributes much of his off-ice success to his high school experience at Andover. He said, “I can’t put into words how Andover has prepared me for life here at Boston College. I wouldn’t be where I am without the help of the school and Coach Boylan.”
Dyroff and Kreider were also a part of BC’s national championship in 2010.
Dyroff said, “I never envisioned winning one national championship, let alone two… The national championship from 2010 and this year are both special in their own ways. I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of such a phenomenal team.”
