(1989) One of the most unheralded players in the history f the University of Lowell hockey program, Kevin Charbonneau was elected to the Athletic Hall of Fame in his third year of eligibility. he is the eighth member of the hockey program to be indicted into the Hall of Fame.
A four-year letterman, Kevin played on three ECAC Division II East and three NCAA Division II national championship teams during his four-year career. He still holds the school records among left wings for most career goals (74), most assists in one season (34) and career (119), most points in one season (56) and a career (193).
One of the hardes working players who ever laced on a pair of skates for Coach Bill Riley, Kevin was often overlooked by the all-star voters for his more prolific linemates. His five linemates - Craig MacTavish, Tom Jacobs, Dean Jenkins, Mike Carr and Ken Kaiser - would earn six ll-American, ten All-ECAC, and 11 All-New England citations during their careers.
As a freshman playing on a line with All-Americans Jacobs and MacTavish, "Charby" netted 21 goals and collected 27 assists for 48 points and was the team's fourth leading scorer. The next year, combining with Carr and Jenkins, he was the third leading scorer after tallying another 48 points on 15 goals and 33 assists.
The Chiefs first line remained intact during Charbonneau's junior year and his role was expanded to include penalty killing. The team's fifth leading scorer, Kevin netted 16 goals, including two sharthanded goals, and 25 assists for 41 points. In his final season playing along side Carr and Kaiser, he enjoyed his finest scoring season with career highs in goals (22), assists (34) and points (56).
A model of consistency, Kevin was a dominated presence in the corners coming up with many loose pucks or forcing unsuspecting defensemen to make errant passes. His physical size and strength, uncanny ability to seal opposing players away from the puck, and hard working style endeared him to his teammates and loyal Chiefs fans.
Considered by many opposing coaches as the key to the success of the Chiefs first line, their respect for the burley (5-11, 200) left wing was best recalled during the 1981-82 season when former New England College coach Bill Beaney said "Give the 'Big Bear' (Charbonneau) and we'd win the league."
Now ranked 10th in games played (128), Kevin is currently sixth in goals scored (74), third in assists (119), fourth in points (193), tenth in powerplay goals (18), and tied for fifth in shorthanded goals (5).
