AS A BULLDOG: Emerged as an instant-impact defenseman with the Bulldogs last season and is primed to shoulder an even more prominent role in 2012-13 ... skated a regular shift in each of UMD’s 41 engagements as a freshman and had 13 points (two goals and 11 assists) to show for it ... compiled the best plus-minus figure (+21) of any NCAA rookie defenseman last season and the fourth best mark of any collegiate blueliner, period ... over half of his points last winter came at the expense of a pair of Western Collegiate Hockey Association foes -- Michigan Tech (three) and Wisconsin (three) ... took part in the Boston Bruins National Hockey League Development Camp this past summer.

BEFORE UMD: Arrived in Duluth one year ago fresh off a beneficial one-season stint in the United States Hockey League … was stationed on the Lincoln Star’s blue line for 58 regular season games in 2010-11 and came away with 25 points on six goals and 19 assists -- the second best scoring yield of any defenseman on the club … ranked third in plus-minus rating (+15) on a Stars team that finished 33-22-5 ... is a 2010 graduate of Hill-Murray High School ... was a two-time member of the All-Classic Suburban Conference and a 2009-10 Associated Press All-State honorable mention selection ... captained the Pioneers as a senior and took a regular shift on Hill-Murray’s Minnesota State High School Class AA championship club two years earlier.

PERSONAL: Born Christopher Michael Casto on Dec. 27, 1991 … is the son of Mike and Jane Casto … has one younger sister (Katie) … is majoring in business at UMD.

BULLDOG MILESTONES: First Game - vs. Notre Dame (Oct. 7, 2011). First Goal - vs. Bemidji State (Oct. 28, 2011). First Assist - at Providence College (Oct. 21, 2011). Most Goals, Game - 1 vs. Alaska-Anchorage (Nov. 11, 2011) and vs. Bemidji State (Oct. 28, 2011). Most Points, Game - 2 vs. Colorado College (Feb. 25, 2012) and vs. Bemidji State (Oct. 28, 2011). Longest Scoring Streak - 2 Games (Feb. 11, 2012-Feb. 17, 2012) and (Nov. 11, 2011-Nov. 12, 2011).