Hurlbut compiled lengthy pro career

Mike Hurlbut is widely considered the best defenseman to ever play for the St. Lawrence University men's hockey team. And if not for an ill-timed injury, he could have put together a long and successful NHL career.

As it was, the Massena native enjoyed a lengthy professional hockey career anyway. He played for 17 years, mostly in the American and International leagues. But he also skated briefly for the NHL's New York Rangers, Quebec Nordiques and Buffalo Sabres.

Hurlbut's hockey accomplishments began at Massena High School under legendary coach Stan Moore. The Red Raiders were perennial state finalists during Hurlbut's stay.

He then moved on to St. Lawrence, beginning his career in 1985 and winning the Kevin Dougherty Memorial Scholarship award his freshman year. By Hurlbut's sophomore year, he was a regular starter behind the blue line, but also showed talent for scoring, registering eight goals and 15 assists.

Hurlbut supplied 18 points in 38 games as a junior and was part of what's considered the best team in SLU history. The Saints won their first ECAC championship in 1988 and advanced all the way to the NCAA championship game before losing to Lake Superior State, 4-3, in Lake Placid.

As a senior, Hurlbut recorded 33 points, good for fourth on the team. He was named to the first team by the ECAC and was a first-team All-America selection. The Saints named him the first winner of the Pete McGeough Award as SLU's outstanding defenseman.

Hurlbut then moved onto a pro career, playing for Denver, Flint, Mich., and San Diego in the IHL. After three seasons with the Binghamton Rangers in the AHL, he was called up to New York during the 1992-93 season. He played in 23 games, finishing with a goal and eight assists.

But an injury in practice, when Hurlbut collided with teammate Darren Turcotte and sprained his knee, ended his time with the Rangers. He was sent down and then traded to Quebec the following fall.

"I had an opportunity with the Rangers, and I really took advantage of it," Hurlbut told the Times in 2002. "If you look at the numbers I had and the amount of playing time I was getting, that was my big opportunity. I got hurt and by the time I was ready to go again, the season was pretty much over. I had just begun to establish myself. It's pretty tough to jump right back in at the NHL level."

Hurlbut played for Cornwall for a year and one game for the Nordiques. After successful seasons with Cornwall in 1994-95 and a standout year with the Houston Aeros in 1996-97, he arrived with the Rochester Americans where he stayed for five seasons. Hurlbut was called up to the Sabres three times, playing in three games once and one game apiece twice.

He ended his career after the 2001-02 season, totaling 117 goals and 362 assists in professional hockey.

Hurlbut is now an assistant hockey coach for his alma mater and lives in Massena with his wife, Julie, son, Jacob, and daughter, Emily.

To read about previous selections to the Times' list of The North Country's Greatest 100 Athletes of All Time, log on to www.watertowndailytimes.com