I recently spoke to sports editor Jack Weiland who informed me that a new member of the Northeastern men’s hockey team is wearing Jim Fahey’s No. 44.

While I fully believe in moving on and not living in the past, I find it hard to believe that behind all the effort of making Fahey a Hobey Baker winner, Northeastern wouldn’t at least consider retiring the great No. 44 that was as welcoming to see on the ice as a pair of comfortable shoes in the front doorway.

It’s stunning to think that a mere eight months removed from his stellar senior year at Northeastern, Fahey was in the NHL contributing to the San Jose Sharks’ defense. He scored his first goal in Boston. He tallied more than 20 assists in his first season in California, and he led what was a young, but extremely talented crop of defensemen.

Fahey won more big games in his final two seasons than anyone in NU history. He was a vocal leader and made a difference in the locker room and on the ice. Northeastern should retire Fahey’s No. 44 and remember him the way we remember Reggie Lewis. As one of the greatest athletes NU has seen.

— Andrew Cuneo is a graduate of the class of ’03 with a B.A. in journalism.