Kozun hopes to take Los Angeles by storm
Kozun, who signed a three-year entry level deal with the Kings in April, will [join] former Hitmen goalie and his Canadian world junior teammate Martin Jones at L.A.’s fall camp on Sept. 9. The plan is, of course, to be skating alongside the likes of Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar when the National Hockey League season kicks off […]. A suitable Plan B[:] suiting up with the Manchester Monarchs[…]. [Kozun said,] “It’s not a matter of being able to play with the big boys. I just need to go into camp, ready to go, and show them, ‘Hey. I’m here for good.’ “Listed at five-foot-eight and weighing a lean 165 pounds, Kozun’s physical stature is always the knock against him. But given his production value with the Hitmen — 270 points (92 goals, 178 assists) and a plus/minus of 103 over four seasons — his presence on the 2010 Canadian junior team, and his contributions during the Memorial Cup despite his ankle woes, he has proven time and time again that looks can be deceiving.
“He’s proved everybody wrong at every level that he’s ever played,” said Hitmen general manager Kelly Kisio. “He’s always been the smallest guy and he’s proved everybody wrong. “I don’t see any difference in him going forward. He’ll figure out a way to get it done.”
It’s true that, as of this moment, there’s an opening in the top six forwards. The first question is, will Lombardi do anything to fill that spot in the next month. The second question, if it’s going to be a prospect or youngster, who is going to rise to the challenge:
Oscar Moller, Brayden Schenn, Andrei Loktionov, Scott Parse, Trevor Lewis, Brandon Kozun, Bud Holloway. Also, Ray Kaunisto. That’s a lot of blue-chip competition for one spot.
Camp is going to be fun.