It doesn't happen often, but every now and then, a player selected in the lower rounds of the NHL Entry Draft emerges as a legitimate talent. Hartford Wolf Pack defenseman and 2000 Hobey Baker Award winner Mike Mottau is one of those players.

The 1997 draft saw 181 kids get picked before former New York Rangers GM Neil Smith selected the offensive-minded Boston College defenseman in the seventh round.

By the time the 22-year-old Mottau ended his four-year collegiate career at Boston College, he was not only the school's all-time assist leader with 130 helpers but also one of the most accomplished defenders in college hockey.

Thanks to three Frozen Four appearances and a pair of seasons with over 40 points, Mottau emerged as an elite prospect in the likeness of another former Boston College player -- Brian Leetch, the ninth overall pick in 1986.

After a brief contract dispute in September which prevented him from practicing with the Rangers for much of the preseason, Mottau's has adapted rather well to the professional game. Through December 6, his 14 points in 19 games placed second among Hartford defensemen, despite Mottau's having spent two weeks with the parent club.

The 2000-01 NHL season was less than a month old when the Rangers introduced Mottau to their injury-depleted defense corps. He was able to stick with the Rangers for eight games and picked up his first career NHL point with an assist against Tampa Bay on Nov. 1.

Mottau, a native of Avon, Mass., is not as swift a skater as Leetch. But, then again, not many players are. However, Mottau possesses a hard, accurate shot and is adept at making sound, on-ice decisions.

The Rangers have not been this excited about a defenseman since Sergei Zubov. Since Zubov's departure back in '95, Leetch has had a myriad of partners on the right side of the Rangers' power play, most of whom were forwards. The addition of Mottau, who manned the right point for all four years at BC, would add a perfect complement to Leetch's world-class passing ability on New York's already potent power play.

Q&A with Mike Mottau
Q: Growing up in Massachusetts, were you a Boston College fan?
A: Oh yeah. I watched the Beanpot and everything (annual tournament between BC-BU-Harvard, Northeastern). I used to go to BC games all the time. As I got older, I watched Brian Leetch and those guys. Going through the recruiting process, I just thought that BC was the best fit of all the Boston schools.

Q: What was it like to play hockey in Boston?
A: Every game in college is just so intense. Especially in the Beanpot, when there is so much pride on the line those first two Mondays in February.

Q: Did you have a favorite BC player as a kid?
A: Probably Marty McInnis (now with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks). I've had the chance to work out with him in the summers the past few years.

Q: What was the best collegiate game you ever played in?
A: I would say the game against Michigan in '98 (NCAA titile game that BC lost 5-4 in OT). It was just so intense.

Q: What would you tell your old BC teammates about playing professional hockey?
A: I would tell them to enjoy the time they have in college. They think it's great to just be playing hockey and not have to go to class, but they don't know how good life is in college.

Q: Have you noticed any difference stylewise between the college and pro game?
A: The pro game is a lot more controlled than college, which is always the case when you move up a level of play. The NHL is the most controlled because players stay within their roles and avoid racing around and scrambling, which happens a lot even in the AHL. Still, there are a lot of great players down here (AHL).

Q: Who is the best player you've ever played with? And against?
A: I just got smoked by Jaromir Jagr earlier this year. He's so big and strong and has such a great all-around game. The best players that I have played with are probably Mark Messier and Brian Leetch. When I was up there (with the Rangers), I just kind of watched and followed what they did.

Q: Who is your favorite SportsCenter anchor?
A: Steve Levy. I actually know him pretty well. He lives in Boston and invited me to the Boston Sports Awards when he hosted it.

Steve Kournianos writes for Sportsticker.