Cornell University freshman forward Gio DiGiulian has been named the Bitcoin ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week, following his strong performance in the team’s opening weekend. The announcement was made by the league on November 3.
DiGiulian scored goals in both of Cornell’s season-opening games against No. 13 UMass, making an immediate impact in his collegiate debut. He is only the fourth Cornell freshman since 1975-76 to score in each of the program’s first two games of a season. The last player to do so was defenseman Sasha Pokulok in 2004-05, and before that, forward Kent Manderville in 1989-90 and Trent Andison in 1987-88.
His early achievements place him among notable company at Cornell. DiGiulian became the 12th freshman in program history to score multiple goals within the first two games of a season. The last time this happened was during the 2011-12 season, when Joel Lowry and Joakim Ryan each scored twice during opening weekend. DiGiulian also continued a recent trend for Cornell freshmen, as his goal marked the eighth consecutive season opener—and ninth time in ten seasons—that a Big Red freshman has scored in the team’s first regular-season game.
Beyond Cornell’s records, DiGiulian is one of seven Division I freshmen this year to begin their college careers with goals in each of their first two games. Other players achieving this include Calem Mangone (Lake Superior State), Jaden Lipinski (Maine), Justin Stupka (Miami), Cole McKinney and Malcolm Spence (Michigan), and Lukáš Klečka (UMass).
DiGiulian’s two goals tied him with Clarkson’s Owen Van Steensel and Dartmouth’s Ryan Schelling for most goals by a freshman in ECAC Hockey last week. He was also tied for third-most goals among all conference players.
Cornell, now holding a record of 1-1-0, will start its ECAC Hockey schedule this weekend with away games against Harvard and Dartmouth. Both contests are set for 7 p.m., with live streaming available on ESPN+.
