Kozun cashes in with the KHL
Today’s NHL, emphasizing speed over size, would eagerly welcome a 5-foot-8, 165-pound right winger who can score goals and set up his line mates. A youngster tallying 40 goals and 68 assists for 108 total points in his draft year would merit tons of recognition and at least a middle-round selection in the NHL draft. Normally it would be expected the draftee would return to juniors for his final year to fine tune his game and prepare for a future spot with the big club. Speed and skating ability have become paramount in pro hockey these days, but one must realize the shift in dynamics is somewhat recent.
Anton Vasyatin
Brandon Kozun in his Lokomotiv Yaroslavl jersey in 2018.
Eleven years ago this was not the case. Ukrainian Brandon Kozun was unranked by NHL Central Scouting after his superlative season with the Calgary Hitmen, went undrafted and returned for a final year in juniors. He proceeded to win both the Western Hockey League and Canadian Hockey League (all juniors) scoring titles (32G-75A-107PTS) in his last junior season and was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the sixth round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, one year after going undrafted.
To say Kozun was never given a fair shot at earning a regular position in the NHL is an understatement. Not selected in his draft year, being drafted 179th overall after consecutive 100-plus point seasons in the tough WHL, never suiting up for the Los Angeles Kings and a mere 20-game trial with the Maple Leafs paint the picture of an unwanted, diminutive forward eager to showcase his skills somewhere, anywhere pro hockey is played.
In juniors, Kozun earned praise for his competitive nature and willingness to play any role his team required of him. He displayed a strong sense of anticipation that allowed him to see plays develop before they happen – a trait found in elite athletes. Most amateur scouts, however, argued he was too small for the NHL.
His first professional season began in the AHL with the Kings’ Manchester Monarchs affiliate. In his first-ever home game against Providence, Kozun scored two goals, the first of which was on a penalty shot. He went on to play in 264 regular season games for Manchester, notching 79 goals, 100 assists and 179 points – solid AHL production that earned him nary a call-up to L.A.
In January 2014, Kozun was traded to Toronto and played the second half of the 2013-2014 season with the AHL Marlies (32GP-7G-10A-17PTS-32PIM). An impressive training camp and pre-season earned him a spot with the Maple Leafs for the 2014-2015 campaign. He scored his first NHL point with an assist on Nazim Kadri’s goal in the club’s opener versus Montreal on October 8, 2014. After being placed on waivers in mid-December, he stayed on with the organization, and in late February 2015 Kozun scored his first career NHL goal in his eighth NHL game. In 20 games with the Leafs he managed 2G-2A-4PTS and 6PIM.
KHL bound
After five somewhat frustrating years trying to make it in the NHL, Kozun left Toronto on June 18, 2015, signing a one-year deal with Jokerit of the Kontinental Hockey League. He made quite an impact with the KHL’s only Finland-based team, tallying 15 goals and 49 points in 58 games with 67 minutes in penalties, leading the club in assists and points.
Finally given the opportunity to perform on a professional stage, Kozun made the most of it, even if it was on another continent and in another league. Next came three seasons with the renowned Yaroslavl Lokomotiv franchise, where Kozun amassed 70G-109A-179PTS and 196PIM in 222 games with another seven goals, 21 assists and 28 points in 35 KHL playoff contests. Wearing No. 29 in the Yaroslavl program was a Ukrainian American who actually represented Canada in the 2018 Olympic Games and was now earning a million-dollar salary plying his trade in Russia.
Kozun has successfully navigated the cultural differences between the NHL and the KHL. The leagues develop players differently, with the training regimen and mentality stricter in the Russian-based circuit. The quality of hockey and skill level of Russian players is very respectable with a strong emphasis on hard work in order to achieve the desired results. The old Soviet system is still prevalent in today’s KHL, where strict authority rules on and off the ice.
Kozun relies on his knowledge of the Ukrainian language to help him communicate in his Russian-speaking locker room. He believes it is his responsibility to learn some Russian if he is going to reside in Russia as a matter of respect. Coaches rarely speak in English, most practices are in Russian and an import player has to figure it out for himself. Systems are in place and it is expected everyone plays the same way or the system does not work.
Kozun has talked with NHL clubs over the years, but a perfect return scenario has yet to present itself. He continues his development as a player, earning a most respectable living while playing far from home. Speaking of which, he was born in America, but moved to Canada at age 10, and always felt he was raised with more Canadian roots. He chose Canada over the U.S. to play in the World Junior Championships and the 2018 Winter Olympics where he won a bronze medal.
Kozun’s paternal grandmother was born in Ukraine and relocated to America at a young age. He’s very close with his grandma, grew up with her making Ukrainian food for the family and found it ironic that he ended up playing pro hockey not too far from her birthplace.
In early May 2019, Kozun inked a one-year free-agent contract with Metallurg Magnitogorsk for over $1 million. He totaled eight goals, 13 assists, 21 points and 36 PIM in 45 games during the 2019-2020 KHL season.
Ihor Stelmach may be reached at [email protected].