Cleon Daskalakis
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Sport:
Ice Hockey |
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Year
Graduated: 1984 |
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Year
Inducted: 1994 |
On the basis of his freshman-year statistics alone, it would
be hard to imagine that in three years' time, Cleon Daskalakis
would earn All-American and ECAC Player of the Year honors,
while receiving consideration for the Hobey Baker Award presented
annually to the nation's top collegiate hockey player.
Although he compiled a respectable 3.61 GAA and an .887 save
percentage, he played in just six games his freshman year,
recording a 4-2 mark. However, one of the reasons for his
lack of playing time and in a prelude of things to come, was
the fact that Daskalakis left the team in late December to
participate in the Junior World Championships, where he earned
Tournament MVP honors, before rejoining the Terriers in early
January.
Over the next three years of his career, Daskalakis became
one of the most heralded goalies in the college game. During
his sophomore season, he led a rebuilding Terrier team to
a 14-11-3 slate, and the coveted Beanpot title. He blanked
a trio of foes during the season, and registered a career-high
46 saves in a 4-4 tie with RPI.
He won the final eight games of his junior season to finish
with a 15-7-1 mark, while helping the club to an overall ledger
of 18-11-1. In recognition of his efforts, Daskalakis earned
Team MVP, Second Team All-East, and Syracuse Invitational
Tournament MVP honors.
As a senior in 1983-84, Daskalakis led the club to a stellar
28-11-1 mark, and its first NCAA Tournament bid in six years.
A finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, Daskalakis received
First Team All-America, First Team All-New England, ECAC Player
of the Year, New England Player of the Year, and Team MVP
honors, and the Walter Brown Award as the top American-born
collegiate player in New England.
Upon graduation, Daskalakis continued to practice his trade,
tending the net for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey
League.
