Bucks Sign Two, Including Former NHL Draft Pick Kozak
Published on October 29, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release
LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League announced Wednesday that they have signed former NHL Draft Pick Rick Kozak for the 2008-09 season. Kozak started this season overseas with the EIHL's Hull Stingrays, where he played in five games. Kozak will be in the line-up Thursday when the Bucks host Corpus Christi on Big Buck Thursday's, where beer will be $2 all game.
Kozak (pronounced Co-zack) was selected in the third round (95th overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
The 6'3, 225 pound Kozak spent the last one-and-a-half seasons in the CHL, with the Mississippi Riverkings. In 78 regular season games with the Riverkings, Kozak scored 38 goals, had 24 assists, for 62 points.
Last season Kozak, from Norway House, Manitoba, set career highs in almost every single category. He set career high's in goals (24), assists (18), points (42), and penalty minutes (204).
"We needed a big, strong power forward to score goals and be tough", said Bucks Head Coach and General Manager Terry Ruskowski. "And that's what Kozak brings to us".
Kozak, in his fifth professional season, has played in 132 career games, scoring 51 goals, with 38 assists, totaling 89 points, to go along with 447 penalty minutes.
Kozak has played in five career AHL games, handing out one assist.
"He can play there's no doubt. We've seen what he can do, and we like it", said Ruskowski.
Prior to turning pro, Kozak played four seasons in the WHL.
*Bucks Sign Former Playoff MVP Olson*
Also on Wednesday the Bucks announced that they have signed forward Joey Olson for the 2008-09 season. Olson spent last season with the ECHL's Johnstown Chiefs, where he was a teammate of Bucks defenseman Vincent Zaore.
Olson, from Peoria, Illinois, put up 30 points in just 39 games with the Chiefs last season. Olson scored 15 goals, with 15 assists, to go along with 18 penalty minutes.
"He's small and fast, and he can score in bunches", said Ruskowski. "I've heard a lot of good things about him".
The 5'7, 180 pound Olson was named MVP of the MAHL playoff's last season, where he played for the Mon Valley Thunder.
In last year's regular season with the Thunder Olson caught on fire, scoring 20 goals, with 29 assists for 49 points in just 20 games.
"This kid is very talented, we hope he can do what he does best and score big goals for us", Ruskowski said.
Olsen is expected to be in the line-up Thursday.
The Bucks have another busy weekend ahead, as they host Corpus Christi Thursday on Big Buck Thursday's, where beer is $2 all night. Laredo will then head out on a two-game road trip, playing at Corpus on Friday, and at Rio Grande Valley on Saturday.
*New Bucks Players*
#9 Joey Olson
#22 Rick Kozak
*One Buck Dollar Menu*
The LEC and the Bucks now have a "One Buck Dollar Menu", with five items that cost just $1!
Central Hockey League Stories from October 29, 2008
- Vote For Goupil To Win CHL Weekly Award - Laredo Bucks
- Former CHL MVP Named to Team Canada - Amarillo Gorillas
- Bucks Sign Two, Including Former NHL Draft Pick Kozak - Laredo Bucks
- CHL Performance of the Week Winner Announced - CHL
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