Even before David Sacco skated on the ice for his first practice in the fall of 1988, the family name had already made itself known to Terrier hockey fans, as his older brother Joe had been an outstanding player for the 1987-88 team. Joe would stay around for three years and leave after the 1989-90 season after scoring 128 points in 111 games.
David would play four years and establish himself as one of the premier offensive players ever to wear the Scarlet and White. In fact, his four-year total of 217 points ranked second of all-time behind Hall of Famer John Cullen at the time of David's induction. He was also tied with Cullen for second in career assists (143), while tied for 15th in goals (74) at the time of induction.
"The Saccos are a fabulous family," said Terrier head coach Jack Parker. "Joe was a terrific player for us, and David was one of the most skilled valuable players in BU hockey history.
"He was effortless in how he did things. He created opportunities not just for himself but also for others. The statistics show just how great a career he had here."
From the outset, David showed just how big an offensive threat he was. He had at least one point in 26-of-35 games his freshman season of 1988-89 as he finished fourth on the team in scoring with 43 points on 14 goals and 29 assists.
Unfortunately, a shoulder injury forced him to the sidelines after playing just three games during the 1989-90 season, and he was granted a redshirt season.
David picked up in 1990-91, where he left off two years earlier. In fact, his totals improved considerably finishing the season with 61 points. His was third in scoring, while he was fourth on the team in goals with 21 and second in assists with 40. Again, he proved just how consistent a threat he was with points in 30 of the 40 games he played.
His junior year, his point totals slipped a bit, but he still led the team in both assists with 33 and points with 41 and along the way, he notched his 100th career point.
Saving his best for last, as a senior during the 1992-93 season, David led the team in five major offensive categories: goals (25), assists (37), points (62), game-winning goals (8)Â and shorthanded goals (4), while he tied for second on the team in power-play goals (6).
David was more than just a one-man offensive show. He was a catalyst behind the Terriers' successes during his final three years. From 1990-93, the Terriers were 79-29-8, advanced to the NCAA Tournament all three years and played in the National Championship title game in 1991 and 1993. In addition, they won the 1991 and 1992 Beanpots, and the 1991 Hockey East Tournament.
Terrier hockey fans knew just how valuable David was to the Terrier program, but so did the post-season All-Star voters. As a junior, he was named First Team All-America, as he became the first Terrier underclassman in 16 years to be named a First Team All-American.
Then, his senior year, he was named First Team All-America again and was just one of eight Terriers to be named to the First Team twice.
He was also one of just eight Terriers to be selected a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, as he was on the Top-10 list his senior year. During that 1992-93 season, he was named the Walter Brown Award winner as the top American-born player in New England as well as First Team All-Hockey East, First Team All-New England and team MVP for the second straight years.
