Tom Ross (ice hockey defenseman)

Thomas Ross is an American retired ice hockey defenseman and marine who was a two-time All-American for Boston University.[1]

Tom Ross
Born West Roxbury, Massachusetts, USA
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 174 lb (79 kg; 12 st 6 lb)
Position Defenseman
Played for Boston University
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 1963–1966
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Marine Corps

Career

Ross was a star varsity defenseman for Boston University during the program's renaissance in the mid 1960s. Ross was never much of an offensive threat himself, scoring just 2 goals in 79 games, but his defensive ability endeared him to his teammates, coach and the Terrier faithful.[2] part of Jack Kelley's first recruiting class for BU, Ross didn't receive much attention during his sophomore season but he did help the Terriers prevent nearly 30 additional goals against than the previous season. The team had a breakout year in 1965 and Ross led BU to its best season in 17 years, compiling a 25–6 record and winning their first conference title. BU's power was built around the defense which allowed the fewest goals per game in the nation (2.09). Ross placed on both the All-American and First Team All-ECAC rosters and was named as the ECAC Most Outstanding Defenseman.[3] The Terriers faltered in the conference semifinal, however, and missed out on the NCAA Tournament.

As a senior Ross was again the leader for the BU defensive corps. The team wasn't as strong as they had been the year before but they still managed a 2nd-place finish in their conference. In the ECAC Tournament the team again lost in the semifinal, however, because Cornell had finished second and all Ivy League schools were in a years-long argument with the NCAA over player eligibility, Cornell declined their invitation and it went to the third place team, Boston University. The team first appearance in the national tournament in 6 years did not go very well. While both of their games finished with 1-goal margins, the team lost both matches and finished in last place.[4]

After graduating, Ross enlisted in the marines. After serving in the Vietnam War he left the military but continued his public service by working as an officer in the Boston Police Department. He was inducted into the Boston University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
    Regular Season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1963–64 Boston University ECAC Hockey 231101110—————
1964–65 Boston University ECAC Hockey 31017176—————
1965–66 Boston University ECAC Hockey 25115164—————
NCAA Totals 792424420—————

Awards and honors
Award Year
All-ECAC Hockey First Team 1964–65 [5]
AHCA East All-American 1964–65 [1]
ECAC Hockey All-Tournament First Team 1965 [6]
All-ECAC Hockey Second Team 1965–66 [5]
AHCA East All-American 1965–66 [7]
ECAC Hockey All-Tournament Second Team 1966 [6]

References
  1. "1964-1965 All-American Team". The American Hockey Coaches Association. Retrieved 2017-06-21.
  2. "Thomas Ross". Boston University Terriers. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  3. "ECAC Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  4. "NCAA Tournament". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  5. "ECAC All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  6. "All-Tournament Honors" (PDF). ECAC Hockey. Retrieved 2014-05-12.
  7. "1965-1966 All-American Team". The American Hockey Coaches Association. Retrieved 2017-06-21.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Richie Green		 ECAC Hockey Outstanding Defenseman
1964–65		 Succeeded by
Robert Gaudreau
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