Boston College Athletics
Bobby Allen Takes It All In Stride
February 23, 2000 | Men's Hockey
Feb. 23, 2000
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Three years ago, Boston College junior defenseman Bobby Allen was faced with the same difficult decision as most of his classmates. Where, he had to decide, would he attend college?
Allen, however, had one additional - pleasant, but complicating - factor to consider. As a much-heralded hockey star, Allen had to sort through the sophisticated sales pitches of many of the nation's top college hockey recruiters.
Like his classmates, Allen weighed his options and conferred with family and friends to narrow his choices. Quickly, he'd widdled the field to four - Boston College, Boston University, Harvard and Michigan. BU had an established program. Harvard's education had a certain appeal. Michigan was "the best team in the country at that time". Yet, it was Boston College that struck a special chord with Allen.
"The BC coaches recruited me a lot more extensively, and they recruited me on more of a personal level," he said. "They took so much time to get to know me and make me feel comfortable with my decision. I just felt like it was a much better place for me."
It also didn't hurt the Eagles' chances that Allen's cousin, Bob Ferriter, also played hockey at the Heights (1973-77). As a result, Allen grew up a BC fan, watching David Emma, Steve Heinze and Marty McInnis work their magic in Kelley Rink.
With his college selection made, Allen - again, like his classmates - could settle down. As is often said, Allen could now enjoy "four of the best years of his life." The college life would be a time to gain a quality education, compete at the highest level of hockey and enjoy the social life with 9,000 of his peers.
Yet, for Allen, the road would grow slightly more complicated, slightly faster. He'd be forced to make choices - serious career decisions - sooner than his classmates. As a star hockey player, the "recruiting process" would begin once again. This time, it would be the professional ranks knocking on his door. At the conclusion of his freshman campaign - one in which he'd helped lead the Eagles to the NCAA Tournament's Frozen Four - he was selected by the Boston Bruins in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft.
In Allen's sophomore year, he received plenty of attention from the Bruins. As the season progressed and Allen raised his level of play, the team's interest increased. By the time the playoffs rolled around, the Bruins' trips to Kelley Rink became more frequent. They communicated their interest mainly through third parties, although Allen did have a few meetings with Bruins' representatives, including one with team president and general manager Harry Sinden and assistant general manager Mike O'Connell.
At season's end, Allen learned the Bruins had a real interest in him. He, however, had reservations about making the move to the pro ranks.
"I explored my options, but the benefits of staying outweighed the benefits of leaving," he said. "I still have a lot to learn, and I'm still learning now every day on the ice. I'm really in no rush to go anywhere, and I hope that future will always be there."
"The decision was a tough one. It's tough because I'm here on a full scholarship and they're basically paying me to get a college degree, especially at a place like this," Allen said. "It's not just the academics. The guys I play with on the ice every day are some of my best friends. Our goal is to win the national title, and we haven't done that yet, so we really haven't accomplished the goals we set so we have plenty of stuff to do."
Now, Allen's in his third year at Boston College. He knows discussions with the Bruins will now take place on a more serious level.
"They're watching me a lot closer. They're critiquing my game," Allen said. "They let me know what I have to work on. They expect a lot more because I'm a year older."
Allen insists that the increased pressure isn't much of a problem.
"It's really flattering that people recognize your play and have an interest in your playing for their organization," he said. "There's a lot of pressure involved and you can't be oblivious to all the people who may be watching you play, but you have to try to block it out.
"For them, it's a business decision. For me, it's still as much fun now as when I was a little kid and had nothing to worry about. I don't understand the business part of it enough. To me it's just a game. I have fun and I love playing. It's my life."
And, so, at year's end, how will Allen make his decision this time around? How will he weigh all the factors?
"It's tough to say what's going to happen. It all depends on how the season goes," he said. "Sure it's going to be a lot more serious, and I'll have to make some really important decisions that are going to affect my life.
"The decision will take a lot of reflection and thought, but I have the support of my family and I'm not going to go in blind. It's going to be a positive experience, and it'll help me grow up a little bit. I can't lose in the decision because I feel really comfortable with both options."
