Tyson Kozak, C
Some may scoff at my ranking of a former seventh round pick as the second Buffalo Sabres prospect in the CHL. But Kozak has done nothing but impress over the past season. He totaled 69 goals in 66 contests in 2021-2, his first as a team captain for the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks, and he also turned heads at development camp.
While Kozak can make plays with the puck, he is also dangerous without it, indicating that he is one of the most complete players in the CHL system. He has impressive stick-handling skills, and phenomenal passing and shooting mechanics, regardless of what type of shot he’s using.
Kozak clocks in as a physical player who can also read opposing plays well. This approach gives him a two-way flair that will only get better with time. I can easily see him in Rochester next season and perhaps even on the Sabres roster three years from today.