Canisius College hockey standout Dave Kostuch will forgo his final two years of eligibility and has agreed to a contract in the Polish Elite League. The 2008-09 Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Year recently signed with MKS Cracovia Krakow.

“I’m extremely happy in taking the next step and playing professional hockey,” Kostuch said. “As a hockey player, you work very hard on and off the ice to reach a certain point and with this next step, I am one step closer to reaching a final goal.”

Kostuch, who holds dual citizenship in Canada and Poland, accumulated 59 points, 36 goals and 23 assists during his two seasons with the Griffs, while also completing his degree in July 2010.

“Canisius has been a huge contributor in helping me reach the next level,” Kostuch said. “I have learned many new things at Canisius both on and off the ice and I am very thankful for playing here the last two years. It was also very important for me to finish my degree before I left because education is a big factor in life success. I wanted to leave Canisius knowing that I put everything I have on the ice and in the classroom before moving to the next step.”

The Team MVP in 2008-09, Kostuch recorded 32 points, 21 goals and 11 assists during his freshman campaign. His 21 goals rank second in the program’s history, while placing 11th in the country and first among rookies. During his sophomore season, Kostuch totaled 27 points, 15 goals and 12 assists. He is the only player in the program’s history to score 15 goals in two different seasons.

“Dave will be missed greatly by our hockey program, both on and off the ice,” said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. “While our goal is to graduate students and develop professional hockey players, we never anticipated him being done in two years. That is proof of how dedicated and committed Dave is to being a great student and a hockey player. He was very focused on graduating first and then getting on to his professional career. Everyone at Canisius wishes him the best in his next endeavor.”

Cracovia Krakow has won three of the last five Polish League titles, claiming the championship in 2006, 2008 and 2009, and has won eight titles overall.

During the 2009-10 campaign, Kostuch helped the Griffs to one of their most successful seasons at the Division I level. Canisius won its most games in nine years and advanced to the Atlantic Hockey Semifinals for the first time since 2004.

(Photo: Tom Wolf/Canisius)