North Dakota's Andrew Kozek Grateful for Humble Beginnings
Aug. 30, 2006
In the world of prospects, the players who move from the Canadian Junior "A" Hockey League to the NCAA rarely receive the same attention paid to players who play in the three leagues which make up the more well-known Canadian Hockey League.
One of those often overlooked players is Andrew Kozek, a second-round selection of the Atlanta Thrashers in 2005 who currently plays for the University of North Dakota. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound right winger hails from Sicamous, British Columbia, a town that has produced some of the best young talent coming into the NHL.
It was the small-town support and the dedication of his parents, Joe and Linda, that brought him from humble beginnings to one of the top NCAA teams in the United States.
"When I grew up in Sicamous, I had to travel to Revelstoke, 45 minutes each way, just for practice and games," Kozek said. "My parents never missed a practice or game and their dedication is the reason I am here now. Both towns have made a huge impact on me with all the coaches and people that were so helpful and supportive in guiding me through minor hockey."
Those lessons paid off as he learned the value of patience that paid off in his first season of junior play.
"In my first year in Surrey, I had to learn the ropes and I did not receive a lot of ice time early on," he said. "It gave me the time to develop my defensive game and taught me how to work hard and prepare for games."
Kozek recalled his first season with the Surrey Eagles in the BCHL and the importance of teammates and coaches teaching younger players about professionalism.
"I would not have had a chance if my coaches and teammates had not shown me that all that hard work before and after games is the way to success," Kozek said.
His 2003?04 season with Surrey started slowly, but by the end, he had earned more ice time and compiled some decent numbers with 41 points in 58 games.
"About halfway through my rookie season in Surrey I got a shot to play on the top two lines and scored four goals in that game and things sort of took off from there," he recalled.
The 2004-05 season would be one of championships and personal success for Kozek in Surrey. Although he put up tremendous offensive numbers with 48 goals and 49 assists in 60 games, it was the road to winning the Fred Page Cup that opened the door to further opportunities.
"That experience taught me about the value of leadership and how tight you have to be as a team if you expect to have any chance of winning," Kozek said. "You have to show up every night and play 100 percent for each other. Those experiences of playing in Game 7's, going on the road against better teams, and coming through the adversity of playing with injuries and taking on larger roles because of those injuries and accepting the responsibility (were big lessons)."
As for his NHL future, Kozek was delighted to be selected 53rd overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2005.
"I was thrilled to be chosen by Atlanta and I had heard nothing but great things about the organization," he said. "Every time we have spoken they are so supportive of their players and that means so much to the players. I appreciate those things."
At North Dakota, Kozek was back to being a rookie again in 2005-06, and understood he had to pay his dues once again. While scoring 13 points in 46 games for the Fighting Sioux, he focused on merely contributing in any way possible and kept his goals clear.
"I am working toward being the type of player who is reliable two ways and can contribute some offense by scoring some goals and providing the team with energy with some hits. I want to use my speed to create opportunities for my teammates," Kozek said.
Kozek was quick to point out how helpful North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol has been to his transition to the college game.
"The little nuances in the game that you sometimes do not notice as a freshman, he was great at showing those things in a way that you can apply quickly to your game," Kozek said.
After being a part of a team that went to the Frozen Four championship, Kozek appreciated the winning atmosphere and the continuous dedication that everyone had.
"From the coaching staff, to everyone at the arena, and the entire school, there is a dedication to strive to be better and that is contagious."
All these experiences have begun to shape Kozek's game, but he still remembers where he came from and the things he has to work on to make the next step.
"At this point, my strengths are my skating and shooting, plus I am willing to play physical," he said. "I do need to work on my strength and my defensive game, but the great thing about this game is that you will always have something to improve on."
Kozek has the ability to be a pure offensive dynamo with good speed. He should need at least three years at North Dakota to round out the other aspects of his game and add some weight to his frame before turning pro.
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