Kevin Moore appeared in only one official game for UMass hockey, but was a tremendous locker room presence. His hockey days are not over.
Senior Kevin Moore - the selfless UMass hockey locker room hero
It's a well-timed question for Senior Night at the Mullins Center.
It was a little over a year ago when goaltender Kevin Moore appeared in his only official game of his four-year collegiate career at the University of Massachusetts.
He played three minutes, and 40 seconds, and made one save. It was at Merrimack, a game he will always remember, a game the rest of the UMass hockey program would sooner forget.
It was an 11-2 bashing on Feb. 5, 2011 in which the Minutemen were so bad that after the game coach Toot Cahoon would not talk to the press, and sent out his captains to explain what had just happened.
Paul Dainton gave up six goals, Jeff Teglia five. And Moore shut them down the last 3:40.
But who is that Masked Man? Only those close to the program know it, but he's one of the most important members in the UMass locker room. And Friday night will be his home finale, and it wouldn't be right to overlook him. Ironically, it's against Merrimack.
Behind the scenes, Moore has been an inspiration to his teammates for four years. A standout at Williston Northampton for two years, he attempted to play junior hockey, and was cut by 10 teams over a two summer span.
Finally in 2007-08, he was in junior with the Hartford Wolfpack of the AJHL, but was traded to the Walpole Express for a player to be named later, and then was traded back to Hartford for a player to be named later. He was sent to the Junior B Connecticut Wolves, and ended up being the player to be named later in both trades.
It was on to the Phoenix Polar Bears in 2008 where he led his league in goals against average, save percentage, and wins. In January of 2009, he walked on to the UMass hockey team where he's been ever since. Sometimes the third goalie, now the fourth.
He did play one game at the Mullins Center, and while it didn't count officially, it was a 5-1 win over the Swedish under 20 team. He recorded two saves in 3:35 of play.
He will be honored Friday night before the home regular season finale along with team leaders and seniors T.J. Syner, Danny Hobbs, and Michael Marcou.
"Mike Marcou scoirng a goal from James Marcou," Moore lists as one of his favorite memories of the departing seniors. "It was one of his earlier goals. I know the feeling because I have brothers.
"And Danny Hobbs and I have been skating early in the morning, and it's a great memory for me to see him putting in the work, and having him get better.
"And T.J.? Every night is a memory because he's the fastest kid in the country as far as I'm concerned. I'll take a lot of memories from the three of them."
Moore said that he never tired of his role.
"It was my dream to play Division I hockey, and when I got to Williston, I saw what a great program UMass hockey was. It was at the top of the places that I dreamed about playing, and never thought I could. So I feel very fortunate to be here, it doesn't get any better than this."
Moore is delighted to see what has happened with Dainton and his success with the Springfield Falcons.
"It means a lot, I consider Paul like an older brother," Moore said. "Paul and Danny Meyers took me under their wings when I first got here. They're a big reason I didn't get cut early in my career, and I'm still here. I know the path Paul took, and it wasn't your typical star path, so it's great to see him doing well."
Moore is an encourager.
"When (freshman Kevin) Boyle starts, I really try to get in his ear before the period starts, and try to amp himself up and stuff. He says he really loves it. He keeps getting me to do it. I didn't want to be annoying, but it's sort of like a boxing trainer pumping up his fighter."
Steve Mastalerz, the other freshman goalie, has a different personality.
"I tried it a little bit with him, I sort of let him be in his own world with it. I do it with Tegs (Jeff Teglia) when he starts and I'm dressing."
Moore is majoring in journalism, but he's not ready to put the goaltending gear away just yet.
"I really enjoy mentoring people, maybe coaching or teaching, But I'm going to give it a crack at playing somewhere. I've been working awfully hard this year in hopes of getting some kind of chance in any type of league. To paraphrase Peter Rose, I'd walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play hockey, so I'm going to give it my best shot."
And everyone connected with UMass hockey will be rooting for him.