Ottawa Senators Stephane Da Costa optimistic about chances in Binghamton -NHL Update
Despite not having become a regular in the National Hockey League (NHL) yet, Ottawa Senators Stephane Da Costa is optimistic about making it big with their farm team in the American Hockey League (AHL), the Binghamton Senators, and maybe, just maybe, being picked up for the major league.
When Da Costa did get a chance to play in the big boys league, he made sure to make a lasting impression and just not try to do something he was not able to do at the time. Physicality was something he knew would pay off and it sure did as the 23-year-old has built an image of being able to take it rough and rough others up in the process.
“I just want to be more of an all-around player,” said the 5-foot-11, 185-pounder, according to the Ottawa Sun. “Physically I want to be a little better, too. I got a little better physically, I think. I can take impacts a little better.”
Da Coasta is one of the few NHLers from Paris, France, but hockey has become something he cannot image living without. The Senators picked him up to play during the 2010-2011 regular season as an undrafted player, appearing in four games. He got a bigger chance next season with 22 appearances and five points to his name (3 goals, 2 assists) and eight minutes in the penalty box.
The remainder of the 2011-2012 regular season was spent in the AHL with Binghamton, where he impressed with 36 points (13 goals, 23 assists) in 46 games played, while this time around, Stephane Da Costa is certainly hoping to boost those stats up even further.
“I’m trying to make an impact, trying to show I can play here,” added Da Costa. “I need to work hard, and I think I can make it there again. “I just want to have a really good year. I’m trying to take it week to week and we’ll see what happens.”
Stephane Da Costa is on a one-year contract with Ottawa at the moment, giving him $800,000 for playing in the NHL and $80,000 for the minor leagues.
Tags: