Stephane Da Costa Named Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Month

NORTH ANDOVER, MA – Freshman Stephane Da Costa (Paris, France) was named the Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Month for October on Tuesday.

Da Costa burst on the scene in his second career game, tallying a natural hat trick in the first period and netted five goals in all, leading Merrimack to a 6-3 victory over Army. His night marked the first time since Merrimack joined hockey East 21 years ago that a Warrior has scored five times in a game, and it was the most goals in the 36-year history of Lawler Arena. He became the first Hockey East player since Boston College’s Brian Gionta on January 27, 2001 to score five goals in a game and is the first player to score five goals and get a natural hat trick as part of his first collegiate goal in Hockey East history.

The France native’s success did not stop there as he tallied eight points in five games in October and leads all Hockey East rookies with 10 points on the season.

Junior forward Chris Barton (Camrose, AB) was a runner-up for the Hockey East Player of the Month honor. Barton leads all Hockey East skaters with seven goals and is tied for second with 11 points.

Merrimack received six votes in Monday’s USCHO National poll, marking the second straight week they received votes. The Warriors (5-3, 2-1 HEA) are idle this weekend before battling Boston University in a home-and-home series beginning November 13 at Lawler Arena.