Male Athlete of the Year: Mike Moore

Moore was the backbone of the team and — as Princeton developed a reputation in the ECAC as a fast, physical team that was good offensively but stifling defensively — became a player both feared and respected by opposing teams.

A unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection, Moore was also a unanimous first-team All-ECAC selection, ECAC Defensive Defenseman of the Year and a first-team All-America pick. He led the Tigers in scoring by a defenseman and was the heart of Princeton’s squad both on and off the ice.

This season, Moore scored a career-high 24 points and played his best when it mattered most. Moore scored a goal in the Tigers’ 3-0 victory over Yale to open up the ECAC quarterfinals and later scored Princeton’s first goal in a 4-1 victory over Harvard in the ECAC title game. Overall, Moore played in 121 games for the Tigers and finished his career with 14 goals and 38 assists.

Moore clearly had his team’s respect as it elected him captain. The true indication of his spirit came in Madison, Wis., in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. With the clock winding down in the Tigers’ NCAA tournament game and Princeton down 5-0, the disparity between the two benches told the entire story. The Fighting Sioux, wearing white, were all standing, joking with each other and cheering on their teammates. The Tigers, wearing black, sat huddled next to each other with their heads down, motionless and silent. Moore, however, stood up and encouraged those on the ice until the final whistle sounded, and — as he was cheering — Princeton scored its only goal of the game.

After graduation, Moore will continue his hockey career with the National Hockey League’s San Jose Sharks’ American Hockey League affiliate, but he will be forever remembered at Baker Rink for his contributions to the hockey team’s unprecedented success this season.