COZENS AGREES TO ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACT
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres announced the team has signed forward Dylan Cozens to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Cozens (6’3”, 180 lbs., 2/9/2001) was selected by the Sabres in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver after finishing the 2018-19 season tied for 10th among all WHL skaters with 84 points (34+50) in 68 games for the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
In his second full season with Lethbridge, Cozens also ranked in the top 10 among WHL skaters in even-strength assists (10th, 34) and even-strength points (T-8th, 59). The Whitehorse, Yukon native added eight points (4+4) in seven playoff contests.
In addition to his WHL success in 2018-19, Cozens also represented Canada in international play twice last season. He recorded five points (2+3) in five games to help Canada to a gold medal at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August. He later served as an alternate captain for Team Canada at the 2019 IIHF World U18 Championship in Sweden, where tied for seventh in tournament scoring with nine points (4+5) in seven games.
As a WHL rookie in 2017-18, Cozens won the Jim Piggott Trophy as the WHL’s rookie of the year after he led all first-year skaters in goals (22) and finished second among rookies with 53 points. The forward has recorded 138 points (57+81) and a plus-26 rating in 128 career WHL games, adding 29 points (14+15) in 35 playoff games.
(Photo by Koz/NY Hockey OnLine)
