Northeastern alumnus
Greg Costa (2006-10) announced he has signed a professional contract with the Passau Black Hawks in Passau, Germany on Monday morning.
Passau is a member of the
Oberliga (Premiere League) and currently ranks as the third tier of professional ice hockey in Germany. The
Oberliga was split into a northern (nine teams) and southern group (10 teams) in 2007-08. The four best teams from each group enter a best-of-five playoff round to determine the
Oberliga champion.
The Crownsville, Md. native skated in 118 games and tallied 39 points (16-23-39) in four seasons as a forward for the Huskies. As a senior, Costa was one of three student-athletes to have participated in all 34 contests along with tying for a team-best +4 rating. Costa also served as an assistant captain in his final year with Northeastern.
"I am very excited to have signed a professional contract with the Passau Blackhawks, Costa said. “It has always been my dream to play professional hockey in Europe and I owe a lot of thanks to everyone at Northeastern University because I wouldn't have been able to reach my goals without their help."
Last year, Costa notched his first game-winning goal of the season to defeat Harvard in the consolation round of the 58th annual Beanpot Tournament on Feb. 8.
Costa’s most productive season came as junior after registering career-bests in games played (39), points (16), goals (8), assists (8), PIMs (16-32), game-winning goals (5) and plus/minus (+5). On Nov. 22, 2008, Costa recorded Northeastern’s first hat trick in four seasons against UMass Lowell and is the last NU skater to turn the trick since then.
Not only has Costa been a staple on the ice for Northeastern, but he has excelled in the classroom, as well. Costa became Northeastern’s 10th “
Distinguished Scholar” in program history. The “
Distinguished Scholar” award is given out by the Hockey East Association and indicates that a student-athlete has achieved a 3.0 grade point average or better in every semester while competing. Costa was named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team four consecutive times, warranting his “
Distinguished Scholar” status.
Before skating for Northeastern, Costa played for the Boston Bulldogs of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League for two seasons. In 2005-06, he finished second in the league with 29 goals and 71 assists for 100 points in just 41 games. Costa made the AJHL All-Star team both years while with the Bulldogs and was named Co-MVP in his second year. Before playing with the Sioux Falls Stampede in 2003-04, Costa was named the
Washington Post All-Metro High School Player of the Year after leading Dematha Catholic High to the state championship in 2002.
Costa’s first month with Passau is strictly on a tryout basis. In Europe, many clubs consider this customary for American players so both parties can come to an agreement. It gives both the player and the team the option to either move forward or terminate the offer.
Costa isn’t the only Husky to take his hockey skill overseas to Germany. Jared Mudryk (2001-05) has played in 132 games for Klostersee EHC and logged 210 points (83-136-219) the last four seasons, combined.
Eric Ortlip (2000-04) also dressed for Klostersee EHC for three years, combining for 76 points (36-40-76) from 2004-07.