All-American defenseman Matt Gilroy will return to the Boston University men’s hockey team for his senior season, a school official confirmed Friday.

Widely considered one of the top college players on the free agent market, the 23-year-old junior was expected to receive offers from all 30 National Hockey League clubs at the conclusion of the Terriers’ season, according to a Feb. 17 report in the Boston Globe.

“He’ll have 30 offers on the table when he’s ready,” one league General Manager told the newspaper.

But Gilroy, a former walk-on and converted defenseman, opted for one more season at the collegiate level, a decision that contradicts the expectations of his coach and teammates.

“He’ll sign a big contract at the end of the year,” said BU coach Jack Parker in a television interview with the New England Sports Network last month.

“He’ll be in the NHL next year,” added senior Pete MacArthur.

The North Bellmore, N.Y. native, who tied MacArthur with a team-best +17 plus/minus rating this season, will likely captain a 2008-09 Terrier team set to include his younger brother Kevin, a winger who recently committed to BU.