Driscoll decorated for the decade

During spring break Dedham High alum Jim Driscoll was barefoot but the senior assistant captain for Northeastern University’s men’s hockey team was about as far away from a warm climate and sandy beach as possible. He was sitting in the stands at Matthews Arena during open skate after practice.

“It takes me back to my junior days when you can go home, hang out and spend some time with the guys,” Driscoll said a few days before the Huskies playoff hopes were dashed by Boston University in a 4-3 loss on Senior Night. “It’s a lot better than school. I’ll tell you that.

“It’s good having this week off, especially at the end of the year. It’s a big weekend, it’s such a tight race for the Hockey East playoffs and we’re playing BU.”

Driscoll, who played four seasons for the Boston Junior Bruins of the Eastern Junior Hockey League, finished his collegiate career with three goals, eight assists and a plus/minus ratio of plus-18.

But those numbers aren’t what earned the defender a spot on Northeastern University’s All-Decade, one of two current players to make the cut.

 “I actually didn’t think I was going to make it but it’s pretty cool to make it,” said Driscoll, who was a leader in NU’s run to the 2009 NCAA Tournament last year. “I’m more kind of a under the radar guy. I’m not going to wow you with 30, 40 points as a defenseman, but I’m glad to see people actually care how I play.”

Northeastern coach Greg Cronin said Driscoll falls into a fine tradition of Husky defensemen.

“Northeastern is a team that prides itself on defense and Jim is somebody who has lived up to that philosophy ever since he got here,” Cronin said. “Jim embodies what our program is predicated on – hard work and dedication. He will be missed and I think he has what it takes to continue his playing career.”

If making the All-Decade team is any indicator of his post-Northeastern success, Driscoll shouldn’t have a problem playing in the pros.

In fact, he was honored to be named to the 12-man roster because everyone besides the current Huskies (himself and Wade MacLeod) went on to play professional hockey at some level, including three All-Americans and Hobey Baker Award Finalists.

Driscoll finds it hard to believe he’s on the team with Jim Fahey, who after playing at Northeastern from 1998 to 2002 went on to play for the San Jose Sharks and is currently playing in Germany.  

“I remember being a little kid coming to games and watching Fahey play here,” Driscoll said. “He’s an unbelievable defenseman and an All-American and Hobey Baker finalist. I remember watching him. He’s a really good player.”

And Driscoll isn’t worried about the fact that he hasn’t been drafted by an NHL system yet.

“There’s plenty of kids that aren’t drafted and are unbelievable hockey players and make it very far and make themselves a good living,” he said. “I’m just going to keep working hard, be a humble person and sit back and be patient and relax.

And as happy as Driscoll was to have a week off from classes during spring break, he’s not looking to leave school early. Even though the Huskies finished their season with a 16-16-2 overall record and an 11-14-2 mark in Hockey East play, Driscoll said he doesn’t want to leave school before graduation to pick up with a minor league team like many college seniors do.

“I want to get degree, but I want to play hockey too,” the criminal justice major said. “After graduation I want to play as many years as I can. I played this game my whole life. Wherever I can play at I don’t really care. I’d like to play wherever I can and run with it.”