Big signing....Rick Kozak signs straight from NHL contract

This time you did read it right. Philadelphia Flyers 3rd round pick in the 2003 NHL Draft, Rick Kozak, has signed for the Excel Hull Stingrays 08/09 EIHL season.

Kozak, who was contracted to the NHL New York Rangers, on a 3 year two way contract, until last year, signs straight from the Memphis Riverkings, where he was assigned by the Rangers, and will step straight into the Stingrays lineup as one of the most anticipated signings in Stingrays history.

Kozak doing what, some people believe, he does best for Memphis

Kozak is a notorious power forward who isn't afraid to drive to the net, fight, score goals or rough it up, a "complete player" Strachan says:

"He fits perfectly into the theme of the team" confirmed Strachan. "He had 200 penalty minutes last year, he's a big, physical guy and that can lead to the odd scrap. But there's the other side to him too as he knows where the net is. He's a complete hockey player."

It is certainly a signing unheard of in Stingrays history as this team looks like it will be rougher and tougher than ever. Kozak brings undoubted player ability as a draftee to the NHL, and that just 5 years ago, and whilst he has spent much of his time in the lower reaches of hockey, namely the ECHL and CHL, it has usually been his ocassional off ice blip and differences with coaches, mainly in Charlotte, ECHL, that have kept him from establishing himself as a real NHL prospect.

In fact a player that he has linked up with at WHL, with Prince Albert, and in AHL, with Hartford, has been the main catalyst for his relegation down the leagues. That name, Dane Byers, brother of former Stingray Cole. In junior with Prince Albert they formed a brilliant partnership as two, big power forwards. Byers was later drafted by the NHL organisation that Kozak was at, New York, and since then it has seen Byers rack up 40+ point seasons in the AHL whilst Kozak has been sent to Charlotte, ECHL, and Memphis/Mississippi, CHL.

It is guaranteed, like so many other players who will come for their first EIHL season, that their points production will increase three fold, sometimes more. This should most certainly be the fact with Kozak, with formerly NHL level talent and skating ability, he will challenge the scorers in the league but only if he ticks one box. Staying out of the penalty box, possibly a difficult task with a player that has 26 fights in 3 professional seasons. But perhaps that is the player he is and maybe he would'nt score as many goals if he did'nt have that style to his game. Only time will tell what role he takes on the team.



Below I have gathered some information from various sources about his drafting to the NHL, his NHL level talent and his chances of being an NHLer.

Initial signing for New York:

“Rick is an aggressive, gritty player who is very difficult to play against”, said Sather in making the announcement. “He showed great improvement throughout the season and played very well for Prince Albert in the playoffs. His combination of size, toughness and skill make him an excellent prospect for our organization.”

Rookie Rick Kozak, out three months with a thumb injury, scored a goal in his return Tuesday against Columbia. It was his first professional goal, and teammate Brandon Cullen corralled the puck as a souvenir for Kozak, a New York Rangers' farmhand.

"He's a big power winger that has ability to score some goals," Wilkinson said. "And he gets the ugly ones. Banging in a rebound in front the net, knocking a guy down going to the front of the net. ... Once he gets in better shape, he should be able to sustain that contact.

The official statement on why he was sent to the CHL:

"It was determined by the Rangers, Checkers and Rick that Charlotte was not the appropriate place for him to continue his career"

"Rick Kozak, one of the younger members of the 2003 draft class, got better and better as the season went along. Pointless and bad penalty prone in his first four games for Brandon after coming over from Prince George, he improved steadily thereafter and his solid playoff performance raised hopes that the aggressive rookie has only begun to tap his abilities. A relatively obscure player coming out Swan Valley in Manitoba Junior Hockey League, Kozak earned his keep in his first WHL season by throwing his weight around and going to the net; which earned him powerplay time for the Wheat Kings."

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/6083/flyers2003_nhl_entry_draft_review/

"A rough and ready forward, Kozak began his career with perhaps too much aggression, but has since learned to control it better. A willing combatant, Kozak is also not afraid of driving to the net and using the body to take or even receive hits. With above average skating and a solid top speed, his biggest drawback is his limited offensive ability, which will likely limit his potential to a third or fourth line grinding forward."

http://www.outsidethegarden.com/prospectprofile.asp?PID=80

And the Hull Daily Mail confirmed that there will be more signings next week "both imports and British players"

Certainly an exciting time to be a Stingrays fan.