The Rangers announced to day that they have come to terms with right wing Rick Kozak on a professional contract, terms of the contract were not disclosed but it is expected that it is the standard three year entry level contract. The soon to be 20 year old (August 19th) Kozak is likely to join the Hartford Wolf Pack for the upcoming season, where he is likely to be one of many new faces in a revamped team.
Drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Kozak was acquired along with a 2005 second round pick for defenseman Vladimir Malakhov. The fiery winger has had difficulty in Canadian Juniors and has been traded three times in his career, including from the Kamloops Blazers to the Prince Albert Raiders after a run in with an opposing trainer left him with a month long suspension. Struggling prior to the trade, Kozak settled down in Prince Albert and had a solid second half to his season last year.
Side Note: Kozak is represented by New York Rangers GM Glen Sather’s son.