Former Tornado named Hockey East's top rookie

Merrimack College freshman forward Stephane Da Costa, who played for the Texas Tornado during the 2006-07 season, was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Year.

Da Costa, from Paris, France, was also a finalist for the Player of the Year and was the lone freshman on an all-star team, being named to the second team.

Da Costa, the only unanimous selection to the All-Rookie Team, dominated Hockey East the way no rookie has in years. He netted 45 points, tied for fourth among all Hockey East skaters and had 19 more points than Steven Whitney of BC, who was second among rookies in scoring.

The first five-time Hockey East Rookie of the Month in league history led HEA rookies in goals, assists, points and shots and led all Merrimack skaters in assists, points, shots and plus-minus.

Da Costa took the country by storm, scoring a natural hat trick and five goals in his second career game on October 17 against Army. The freshman tallied at least a point in all but eight games this season. His 45 points are the most by any Merrimack freshman in Hockey East history and the most points by a Warrior since Rejean Stringer in 1998-99.

A candidate for NCAA Rookie of the Year, Da Costa leads all rookies nationally in scoring and points per game and ranks ninth among all skaters nationally in points per game.

With Texas, Da Costa potted 23 goals for 40 points in 50 games.