It has often been said that offense is exciting, but defense wins championships. When Dan Brady tended the Terrier net from 1968 to 1972, Boston University not only hoisted its first ever national banner in 1971, but added a second in 1972, becoming one of only a few teams to repeat as NCAA champions.
A native of Canton, New York, Brady spent the 1968-69 season with the freshman team, appearing in nine games and recording three shutouts while compiling an overall goals-against average of 1.55, and helping the team to a perfect 17-0-0 mark.
As a sophomore in 1969-70, Brady served as an understudy to starting goalie and fellow classmate Tim Regan, while seeing action in six contests and making 89 saves, en route to a 3.42 goals-against average.
Brady inherited the majority of the netminding responsibilities midway through his junior year, and led the Terriers to a final record of 28-2-1, the Beanpot title and a 4-2 victory over Minnesota in the NCAA Championship game. Brady, who turned aside 32 Golden Gopher shots, was named Tournament MVP and gained a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
For the year, Brady posted a .917 save percentage and a 2.04 goals-against average, and was named the Team's Most Improved Player.
In an encore performance during his senior year, Brady led the Terriers to the Beanpot title, the ECAC Tournament Championship and their second consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament. However, an injury sidelined him from the national tournament. In his absence, the Terriers turned to Tim Regan, who had recently rejoined the club after serving as a backup on the U.S. Olympic Team.
A 4-1 triumph over Wisconsin gave the Terriers their second straight national crown.
Although Brady was unable to play, his accomplishments were not overlooked. The senior goaltender was named to virtually every post-season all-star team including First Team All-America, All-East and All-New England. He was also named to the ECAC All-Tournament team, and garnered MVP honors at the Beanpot and Christmas tournaments.
Dan Brady finished with a career goals-against average of 2.30.
