Oftentimes, it's impossible to measure an athlete's contributions solely in terms of statistics, and after a look at Dan Mahoney's impressive numbers, it might seem enough to praise his performance on the ice. But for the senior tri-captain of Tufts' hockey team, that would only be half the story.

Mahoney's life in the hockey world started in Tewskbury, Mass, 20 minutes north of Medford.

"I guess it began when I was four or five years old," Mahoney recalled. "My dad would just take me out to a lake in the winter time and show me a few things."

By the time his sophomore year rolled around, he had helped Tewksbury High School win the state championship, and his position was engrained at the blue line.

"My sophomore year was a big deal," Mahoney said. "We won the state crown and got to play at the Boston Garden before it was torn down. We had a lot of defensive talent on that team and they tried me at forward a little, but it was clear that wasn't my thing. By the end of the season I was playing only defense and I never went back."

Like many athletes at Tufts, Mahoney's decision to matriculate was not an easy one. The Jumbos' program was in peril, and Mahoney had to decide between Tufts, and some schools with stronger hockey programs.

"Tufts had great academics, which really helped me with the decision," Mahoney said. 'From a hockey perspective, I really wanted a school where I could play right away. I didn't want to burn two or three seasons sitting the bench before getting ice time. I looked at other schools which at the time had better hockey but lesser academics, and I also gave some thought to doing a post-graduate year, but Tufts was the right place for me."

It is no surprise that Mahoney's presence was a huge factor in the Jumbos' success over the last two seasons. He was an All-ECAC selection in each of the last two seasons, an All-New England selection last year, and he surpassed head coach Brian Murphy as Tufts' all time leader in defenseman's scoring.

"As far as breaking my record, I hope I coach 50 players who get more points than I do," Murphy said. "It shows the progress of the program and the fact that we are getting better players each year."

Including his 26 points this season, Mahoney has racked up 69 in his Tufts career. Last year, Mahoney had 19 points as he helped guide the Jumbos to the quarterfinals of the ECAC Northeast playoffs. His versatility, leadership, and skill on the ice is obvious even to a fan with rudimentary knowledge of hockey _ as demonstrated by the C on his jersey and his high point total for a defenseman.

"Since I've been here I feel as if I've learned to control the game better," Mahoney said. "From my spot at defense I get to see everything unfold in a play. The sign of a mature defenseman is knowing when to sit back when to rush the puck. The last thing you want to do is take a stupid risk that can hurt the team or give your opponent a break away. I think I learned to play smart and understand what to do."

"From a leadership standpoint I started to feel comfortable in my junior year," Mahoney said. "I tried to lead by example. This year I became much more comfortable being vocal on the ice. I tried my best to pose a good example _ how to play the game right, how to act off the ice, trying to show good work ethic, staying out of trouble, not getting crazy the night before games, the little things."

The sun set on Mahoney's career with the Jumbos' last Sunday with a shocking defeat at the hands of Salve Regina in the first round of the ECAC Northeast playoffs. But Mahoney has no regrets.

"I've had amazing years here," Mahoney said. "Under coach Murphy, the program is really on the move and I am happy to have been a part of something so fun these last four seasons."

"Dan Mahoney is one of the three best players in the modern era of Tufts hockey," Murphy said. "He is a leader on and off the ice and will be sorely missed."

Mahoney is still weighing his options for next year, but hockey is not something with which he will easily part.

"I am considering playing a year of hockey in Europe next season. It would be such an amazing experience, but we will see," Mahoney said.