Tyson Kozak Year End Media | 05.27.2025
Tyson, this was uh it felt like a really big breakout year for you, obviously here and then it translating to Buffalo. Um what do you think resulted in your or or led to your success? Um I think just having confidence and belief in myself. Uh obviously played a couple years here already, so I was just more and more comfortable. uh with my game and then obviously couldn’t couldn’t have done it without my linemates and teammates. So all the credit goes to them really. How much of the process not just this year you got called up from Buffalo this year but how much of it is the last several years and being in Amber for multiple seasons to get you ready for the National Hockey League? Yeah, I mean since I’ve been here, uh, coaches, teammates, trainers, all that, they’ve been great. Uh, helped me a lot in, uh, my development. And then when I got the opportunity, uh, to go play in Buffalo, uh, I just felt really, uh, comfortable and had a lot of belief in myself. You considered, I mean, you played over 20 games there, but over a quarter of a season with the Sabres. Have you considered you’ve possibly worn an Emirates jersey for the last time? Uh, honestly, I haven’t even thought about it. Uh, just hope to have a a good summer and uh get ready for camp and have a good camp and we’ll see what happens. I know that the big memories this year are going to be the NHL goals. We talked about, you know, face off against Cedric Cosby, but um what are some of the memories you’ll take from your time here with Rochester into the offseason? Yeah, I mean throughout the whole year, uh it was just so much fun coming to the rink every day, uh being around the guys, obviously going on the playoff run through the ups and downs, just battling with all the guys. Uh we didn’t get the outcome we wanted, but uh it was great moment for us all uh throughout the playoffs and gained some experience for everybody maybe getting their first taste of the playoffs. Hey Jason, what uh what was your take away from series against Lile in terms of experience all you guys get from playing that team five games in both atmospheres? just what experience does that take away from that series for you? Yeah, I mean they’re obviously a different team than uh Syracuse. Uh Syracuse big, heavy team, try and wear you down. Uh Laval more skilled uh fast team and obviously as you as you saw they tried to play physical game as well. So, I mean, it’s just a good experience for the young guys who uh haven’t uh been in the playoffs before. Um, and obviously playing in a rink like that is it’s pretty tough. So, to get that experience and to know what it feels like to be in a situation like that is is really important. What was your takeaway from Mike Leoni’s first year to bring him in from outside the organization and you guys went to the season? Yeah. Yeah, he was great. Uh Leo, Pacer, Vinnie, they’re all great. I mean, for him coming in in his first season, uh he did a phenomenal job. Uh we all bought in to what, uh he wanted and how we wanted to play and uh we love playing for him. What’s the takeaway? Just sit back and look at the season you had, excuse me, all the experiences of Rochester. Like Andrew said, the Crosby thing, we talked about the goal of Winnipeg. I mean, did you imagine last September that we’d be talking your day about all the things you accomplished in one year? Honestly, uh, no. It’s kind of been a surreal year for me. Um, you know, getting the opportunity to play in Buffalo. You know, you’re never sure if you’re going to get that opportunity, so you try to make the most of it when you go. And, uh, yeah, it was a lot of fun. got to play in some uh fun games obviously in front of my family. So yeah, just looking back on it, it hasn’t really quite hit me as of yet, all the ups and downs and getting called up and all that, but it was uh it was a great year and hopefully have a good summer and be ready for next year. And the last thing is what are your goals for the summer in terms of what you want to work on to try to become that everyday NHL player? Yeah. Um, for me, one of my main goals is obviously try and get a little bit bigger and stronger. Uh, because of the role that I play, uh, fourth line, maybe third line, uh, usually playing against bigger, heavier guys. So, if I can put on a little bit more strength, uh, I think that’ll be good.
