It didn't take long for defenseman Mike Kostka to transition from college to professional hockey. After finishing his four-year career with the University of Massachusetts-Amherst on March 15th, 2008, Kostka was signed as a free agent by the Buffalo Sabres on March 25th. He went on to make his professional debut for the Rochester Americans three days later.

During the 2007-08 season, Kostka served as a captain for the UMass Minutemen and recorded a college career-high 21 points, including a team-leading seven power play goals. He was rewarded for his efforts by being named as a Hobey Baker candidate, as well as the UMass Hockey Most Valuable Player.

"Kostka served as a team captain for his college team, and was amongst the team leaders in plus/minus rating and scoring. He has good ability on the power play, having led all NCAA defensemen in that category in his career."(Hockeysfuture.com)

As a junior, Kostka played in 39 games and recorded 18 points, three goals and 15 assists and the psychology major was also named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team. Overall in his college career, Kostka collected 53 points and 74 penalty minutes in 143 games for UMass.

Before his college career started in Hockey East, Kostka spent one season with the Aurora Tigers of the OJPHL and tallied 67 points, 17 goals and 50 assists, in 76 games. His team went on to be the 2003-04 Canadian Junior "A" Champs after posting a record of 76-7-0 and Kostka won the Ontario Hockey Association Top Prospect Award of 2004. He also played two seasons of junior hockey with his hometown team, the Ajax Axemen.