Former NBA superstar turned iconic broadcaster Shaquille O'Neal is the man of a million nicknames. Everyone knows him as Shaq, but he's also been called Diesel, The Big Aristotle, Wilt Chamberneezy and countless other monikers over the years.
He added an NHL-themed one to the list on Wednesday night: Tyson KoShaq.
The reference to Tyson Kozak came after the Buffalo Sabres forward scored a goal in the second period against the Detroit Red Wings. Shaq crashed the NHL on TNT set during the subsequent intermission, hockey stick in hand:
Kozak, who isn't well-known by many hockey fans outside of Western New York, probably wasn't expecting to get a shoutout from one of the best players in NBA history, but now it's a clip he'll likely save on his phone forever.
Tyson Kozak deserves attention for his strong play this season, even if it comes from unexpected sources
Kozak, who should absolutely consider changing his last name to KoShaq, is starting to establish himself as a bottom-of-the-lineup staple for the Sabres.
The 22-year-old Canadian center was never a hyped prospect. Buffalo drafted him in the seventh round of the 2021 NHL Draft and his offensive production never stood out during his development time with the AHL's Rochester Americans.
Yet, the 5-foot-11 forward is playing the role he's asked to fill to near perfection in the early stages of the 2025-26 season. He's scored two goals in six appearances while playing a energetic, high-IQ, defense-first brand of hockey in the Blue and Gold's bottom six.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff praised Kozak after Wednesday's 4-2 win.
"He's being rewarded for going to the right place and going to the right place hard," Ruff told reporters. "He's one of our best defenders. He's a real good young centerman that reads the play well, and he'll block shots, and physically he gets into people. I have confidence to play him against anybody."
That's high praise from the veteran head coach, who's typically been cautious when it comes to using young players in key defensive situations throughout his 25-year coaching career.
Kozak will likely never become a high-scoring household name, though he was for a brief second thanks to one of the most dominant athletes in sports history, but that doesn't mean he can't help the Sabres win hockey games.
Buffalo is going to face some tough lineup decisions as players begin to return from injury, including fourth-line winger Jordan Greenway in the not-too-distant future, but there's no way Kozak should be removed from the lineup with the way he's performing.
Don't believe me? Just ask Shaq.