Tyson Kozak Bio
Tyson Kozak is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who serves as a centre for the Buffalo Sabres in the National Hockey League. The Sabres selected him with the 193rd overall pick in the seventh round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Following his junior career with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League, Kozak launched his professional hockey career in 2022 with the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League before earning his NHL promotion in late 2024.
Early Life and Background
Tyson Kozak was born on December 29, 2002, in Souris, Manitoba, Canada, to Trevor Kozak and Michelle Kozak. He grew up playing ice hockey and baseball in the Brandon, Manitoba, area. Kozak played minor ice hockey with the Southwest Cougars of the Manitoba U-18 AAA Hockey League. During the 2018–19 season, he scored 26 goals and recorded 72 points in 40 games, establishing himself as a promising prospect in Manitoba.
Path to Hockey
The Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League selected Kozak in the sixth round, with the 121st overall pick, of the 2017 WHL bantam draft. He signed with the team in August 2018 and began his junior career with Portland that same season. Kozak appeared in three games for the Winterhawks during the 2018–19 season before being reassigned to the Cougars. He later made two more appearances with Portland as a replacement player during that season, including during the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and the WHL playoffs. He was held pointless in all five regular season and four postseason games during his initial stint with the team.
Tyson Kozak Career
Junior Career (2019–2022)
Kozak joined the Winterhawks full-time for the 2019–20 season. He recorded his first junior point on September 21, 2019, assisting on Cross Hanas’s goal against the Tri-City Americans. Kozak scored his first two WHL goals the following week during a 4–2 victory over the Vancouver Giants. Being one of the younger players on the team that season, Kozak credited the Winterhawks coaching staff for improving his confidence. He finished his rookie season with 13 goals and 29 points in 63 games, earning the Winterhawks Rookie of the Year award.
Ahead of the 2020–21 WHL season, the NHL Central Scouting Bureau named Kozak a C-grade prospect on their preliminary players-to-watch list. The COVID-19 pandemic limited the Winterhawks to 24 games that year, with Kozak missing six games early in the season due to a hip flexor injury. He finished with three goals and 11 points in 18 games. He also played one game with the Dauphin Kings of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League while waiting for the WHL season to begin. At the end of the season, the Buffalo Sabres selected Kozak in the seventh round, with the 193rd overall pick, of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
Rochester Americans Era (2022–2024)
After attending training camp with the Sabres, Kozak returned to Portland for the 2021–22 season. There, he was named co-captain of the Winterhawks alongside Clay Hanus. Centering Portland’s top line, Kozak overcame a slow start. After recording only one assist in his first eight games, he added 20 goals and 39 points through his next 30 games, setting career highs in goals and points halfway through the season. He finished fourth in team scoring with 32 goals and 69 points in 66 games and was named to the WHL U.S. Division Second All-Star Team.
The Sabres signed Kozak to a three-year, entry-level contract on August 19, 2022. After training camp, he was assigned to the Rochester Americans, Buffalo’s American Hockey League affiliate, to begin his professional hockey career. Kozak scored his first professional goal on October 21 against Syracuse Crunch goaltender Maxime Lagacé. Despite missing time with injury, Kozak finished the 2022–23 season with five goals and 10 points in 55 regular season games. Despite his modest offensive numbers, Kozak received praise from the Americans coaching staff for his physicality and his abilities on the penalty kill. He added another two goals and five points in 14 postseason games during the 2023 Calder Cup playoffs.
Kozak opened the 2023–24 season with the Americans. He spent the entire season in the AHL, struggling to find his rhythm as he battled through injury. These recurring lower-body injuries limited Kozak to only 41 games, during which he posted five goals and 12 points.
Buffalo Sabres Era (2024–Present)
Kozak was injured again at the Prospects Challenge rookie tournament, causing him to miss all of training camp ahead of the 2024–25 season. When he returned, he found success in Rochester, matching his career high with five goals through his first eight games of the AHL season. After recording six points through 14 games, Kozak was promoted to the Sabres on November 29, 2024, as a replacement for an injured Sam Lafferty. He made his NHL debut on December 5, playing on the fourth line with Beck Malenstyn and Nicolas Aubé-Kubel against the Winnipeg Jets. Kozak appeared to score against Connor Hellebuyck in his debut, but the goal was called back for goaltender interference. Kozak scored his official first NHL goal two days later against the Utah Hockey Club. The Sabres signed Kozak to a three-year, $2.325 million extension on July 1, 2025.
Playing Style and Strengths
Kozak is known as a two-way forward who plays a physical game and contributes on the penalty kill. Throughout his professional career, coaching staffs have praised his defensive responsibility and willingness to engage physically. His versatility allows him to play both centre and wing, making him a valuable depth player for the Sabres organization.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kozak’s journey to the NHL included several notable achievements during his junior career. His selection to the WHL U.S. Division Second All-Star Team during the 2021–22 season highlighted his development into an elite two-way forward. His NHL debut against the Winnipeg Jets, though marred by a disallowed goal, represented the culmination of his rise from Manitoba minor hockey to professional hockey’s highest level. Scoring his first official NHL goal against the Utah Hockey Club provided a significant milestone early in his NHL career.
Tyson Kozak Career Wins
Across his junior and professional career, Kozak has accumulated notable achievements at both the Western Hockey League and American Hockey League levels. His junior career produced consistent offensive contributions and individual accolades, while his professional career has been highlighted by steady development and his recent NHL breakthrough.
Junior Highlights
During his four seasons with the Portland Winterhawks, Kozak established himself as a reliable two-way forward. His best statistical season came in 2021–22 when he recorded 32 goals and 69 points in 66 games, earning him WHL U.S. Division Second All-Star Team honors. He also won the Winterhawks Rookie of the Year award following his 2019–20 debut season with 13 goals and 29 points.
Professional Achievements
Kozak made his NHL debut with the Buffalo Sabres in December 2024 and scored his first NHL goal that same week against the Utah Hockey Club. During his time with the Rochester Americans, he contributed to the team’s playoff run in 2023, recording two goals and five points in 14 postseason games during the Calder Cup playoffs.
Tyson Kozak Family
Family Background
Tyson Kozak was born in Souris, Manitoba, Canada, to Trevor Kozak and Michelle Kozak. His family has roots in the Brandon area, where Kozak spent his formative years developing as a hockey player alongside his involvement in baseball.
Personal Life
Kozak continues to carry his Manitoba roots as he progresses in his professional hockey career. His upbringing in Souris and the surrounding Brandon area shaped his early development as an athlete, providing him with the foundation to advance through junior hockey and into professional competition.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks an important year for Kozak as he enters the second year of his three-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres organization. Coming off his NHL debut and first professional goal during the 2024–25 season, Kozak has established himself as a depth forward capable of contributing in multiple situations. The Sabres’ decision to sign him to a three-year extension reflects their confidence in his development trajectory.
Kozak’s progression from junior hockey in Portland to professional competition in the AHL and finally to NHL regulars has demonstrated his ability to adapt and improve at each level. His physical style of play and penalty-kill abilities have made him a valued contributor at the professional level, while his versatility provides the Sabres with lineup flexibility.
Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025, Kozak will look to build upon his initial NHL success and solidify his place within the Sabres organization. His two-way game and physical presence align well with the needs of a team looking to develop young depth players who can contribute consistently at the NHL level. His continued growth as a professional will be crucial as he aims to become a reliable option for the Sabres down the middle of the ice.