Dan LaCosta

History

Posted four shutouts in his draft season.

2004-05: LaCosta started the season with the Owen Sound Attack but was dealt to the Barrie Colts after 25 games.

2006-07:  Former OHL All-Star netminder Daniel LaCosta turned in an enigmatic freshman effort shuttling between Dayton and Syracuse. A four-year veteran of the OHL coming into the 2006-07 season as a rookie with Dayton of the ECHL, LaCosta showed enough potential in his 13-game stint with the Bombers to earn promotion, in spite of a disturbing .874 save percentage and 3.45 goals against.  He carried that inconsistent play with him up a level, posting a .894 save percentage in 19 games, which is suggestive of his overall inconsistency in the AHL when his three shutouts are taken out of the equation. To his credit, he found his form again as the Crunch played out the string at the end of the season and displayed the kind of ability that suggests he will give Popperle a real run at the top spot in Syracuse in 2007-08.

2007-08: LaCosta had a roller coaster year.  Playing with the Elmira Jackals, LaCosta was injured in that team’s bus crash in November.   Upon returning to the lineup, LaCosta was recalled to Syracuse, and was later brought up to Columbus where he saw action in his first NHL game.  LaCosta had a much improved sophomore professional season.  Due to injuries and call-ups, he has yet to play a full season as the starter in either the ECHL or AHL.

Talent Analysis

At 6’3, LaCosta is a tall goalie. He relies on his positioning to make the save, and needs some work with rebound control and must give up fewer bad goals. Controlling rebounds has been a problem for him, and he also needs to improve his lateral movement and ability to recover after going down to stop shots. Mentally, LaCosta will need to develop significantly.