Boston College’s David Cotton just wants to win
David Cotton accomplished a rare hockey feat this past summer. The senior captain-elect of the Boston College team opted to return to school and spurn any NHL overtures.
The 22-year-old Cotton, a 6-foot-3 forward, was originally selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the sixth round (169th overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
“By no means was my decision about Carolina. My decision was solely based on my wanting to establish a legacy here at Boston College. Earlier I was elected captain and that’s a pretty select group, so that was the main reason,” said Cotton, whose older brother, Jason, will serve as captain-elect of the Sacred Heart hockey program.
Cotton, who hails from the Dallas suburb of Parker, Texas, scored 23 goals last season and earned All-Hockey East First Team honors. Overall, Cotton has produced 88 points in 116 career games.
“I think he’s been on a major trajectory with his skill and hockey ability over the last couple of years. We’ve only had limited ice time so far in preseason but he looks like he’s going to be real dynamic player for us,” said veteran BC coach Jerry York. “He had a chance to turn pro but he decided to come back and try to lead us back to where want to be. He looks stronger and more assertive. He’s our captain and I think he will be a major factor for us this season with his leadership ability. There’s a lot of upside for his longterm development.”
What makes Cotton’s production all the more impressive is that he comes to play every night. The 6-foot-3 skater can most often be found down low in the crease area. His durability is unquestioned. After playing all 40 games as a freshman and 37 as a sophomore, he skated in every one of BC’s 39 tilts last season. Cotton and his brother Jason, who played briefly at Northeastern before transferring to Sacred Heart, push each other in offseason workouts.
“I’m happy for him. We worked out together this summer and it was awesome having him around,” David Cotton said of his brother, who is two years older.
The Elite Prospects scouting report on Cotton said the Eagles player is a “smart and competitive two-way center and a high offensive upside, who exhibits smooth, natural skating ability at top speed that can be hard for opponents to handle. Soft hands allow his creativity to flow free. Prolific skill set, can snap the puck to the back of the net, make a tricky pass look easy, or hold onto the puck.”
It’s quite a development for the product from the Lone Star State.
“I came up my sophomore year to attend Cushing Academy and I was kind of exposed to hockey in the northeast. I fell in love with the area and with the Hockey East conference and I wanted to play in the conference. I settled on attending a school around Boston. BC was the perfect fit for me. I loved the chemistry with the coaching staff, the history with the success of the program, the academics. It was unbelievable when I got the (scholarship) offer,” said Cotton, who is majoring in applied psychology.
Cotton, who grew up idolizing former Dallas Stars and U.S. hockey great Mike Modano, said playing in an elite program brings out the very best in his game.
“Every practice you’re going up against players who are going to have long careers in the NHL and that helps you improve. My freshman year, we had players like Ryan Fitzgerald, who is knocking on the door with the Bruins, and was an All-Star in the AHL. We had Colin White, who’s doing well with Ottawa,” he said. “You get to see their routines and what makes them special and you get to learn the tricks of the trade and what they do to become special and learn bits and pieces,” Cotton said.
Cotton said there is a different vibe around the BC program this year although the goals of winning trophies come spring never change.
“The last couple of years have sort of been a little down. We set goals at BC of winning trophies. I want to win the Beanpot. I want to win the Hockey East championship. I want to go to the NCAA tournament. I want to lift the NCAA trophy. There’s a lot of unfinished business. Those are always the main things and why I came back,” Cotton said. “This year is a special feeling. I think we’re a closer team than we have been in the past. We have strong leadership, real good freshmen who should help us. Although we can’t be blind this early to that stuff. We open up with Wisconsin (Friday) and that’s obviously our first assignment.”
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2VAwAuU
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