The National Hockey League’s Atlanta Thrashers announced today the signing of former Surrey Eagles and University of North Dakota forward Andrew Kozek.
Kozek was a second-round draft pick (53rd overall) of Atlanta in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft following a 97-point season in his second campaign in Surrey. He totalled 138 points in 118 BCHL games, including 67 goals.
Kozek appeared in 38 games at UND this past season as a senior, tallying eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points. He helped lead the Fighting Sioux to a MacNaughton Cup title as Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) champions and an appearance in the NCAA postseason tournament.
Kozek played in 167 career games, tied for fifth all-time at UND, and scored 38 goals and 27 assists for 65 points. As a junior in 2007-08, Kozek tied for the team lead with a career-high 18 goals, including the overtime winner against Wisconsin in the NCAA West Regional in Madison, Wis.
Upon completion of his senior year, Kozek signed with the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves and scored two goals in five games. In his four years at UND, the Sicamous, British Columbia, native helped lead the Sioux to four NCAA postseason appearances and three NCAA Frozen Four berths. He was named to the All-WCHA Academic team in 2007-08.
