Dacosta Da-cides to Return
June 27, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs, proud members of the United Hockey League, officially began to assemble their 2002-03 squad on Thursday by announcing the re-signing of last year's team MVP, Jeff DaCosta. As per club policy, terms of the pact between the IceHogs and the defenseman were not disclosed.
DaCosta, 26, put up MVP-style numbers in 2001-02. He led all IceHogs blueliners in scoring, and his efforts allowed him to garner both team MVP and Best Defenseman honors at the close of the 2001-02 campaign. DaCosta established new Rockford season records for assists (32) and points (40) by a defenseman, totaling 40 points in 42 games during his second stint with the IceHogs. The Toronto, Ontario native also set a new Rockford season record for assists by a defenseman in a single game with three against the Kalamazoo Wings on Feb. 11, 2002. DaCosta tied the record with a three assist effort against the Asheville Smoke on Mar. 23, 2002.
"Jeff will provide veteran leadership while patroling our blue line," said IceHogs head coach Scott Bell. "And he'll set a good example for several of our younger players. He's an exceptionally skilled defenseman who seems to save his best for when the IceHogs are on the power play."
DaCosta closed the 2001-02 season with a six-game scoring streak, totaling 11 points (2g, 9a) during the scoring binge. He also paced all IceHogs defenseman with nine multi-point games and a +3 plus/minus rating. He tied for the team lead with five three-point games, and his five-game assist streak (Mar. 20, 2002 to Mar. 29, 2002) was a team best last year.
"I really settled into a groove at the close of last season," said DaCosta, who opens his seventh pro season, and third with the IceHogs, in October. "I'm excited about the way we finished on the ice in 2001-02, and I like the direction Scott (Bell) has the team going in right now."
The 2001-02 campaign was a memorable one for DaCosta, who contemplated retirement before signing on with the IceHogs in late November. The veteran d-man reached two major milestones by scoring his 250th professional point vs. the Kalamazoo Wings on Feb. 11, 2002, and skating in his 300th professional game vs. the Missouri River Otters on Feb. 16, 2002.
DaCosta has compiled a remarkable list of accolades during his two seasons with the IceHogs, and his ability to perform in the clutch is becoming legendary. He led the IceHogs with six shootout goals in 2001-02, and he's the team's career shootout goal leader with 18. He's scored more points (76) and collected more assists (62) than any other blueliner in team history, and he ranks second on the IceHogs all-time power play points list with seven power play goals and 29 power play assists. Overall, DaCosta ranks third on the Rockford career assist list, and fourth on the Rockford career points list.
Season ticket packages for the 2002-03 IceHogs are now available, starting at just $98. Contact the IceHogs office at (815) 986-6465 for more details.
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