Brandon Kozun

Kozun began his junior career with the Calgary Royals of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) in 2006–07. He also appeared in 11 games with the Calgary Hitmen, scoring one goal. Kozun moved up to the Western Hockey League (WHL) full-time in 2007–08 as he recorded 19 goals and 53 points in 67 games for the Hitmen. He improved to 108 points in 2008–09, second in the League behind Casey Pierro-Zabotel's 115,[6] and was named a First-Team All-Star by the WHL.[7] His season also earned the attention of scouts.

The diminutive forward relies on his speed and skating ability and was praised by Hitmen Head Coach Mike Williamson for his competitive nature and willing to play any role the team asks of him.[8] Williamson added that his sense of anticipation allows Kozun to see plays on the ice develop before they happen, stating it to be a trait found in elite athletes.[2] His small size, standing 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m), initially led WHL teams to overlook him,[2] as well as NHL scouts who argued he was too small for the NHL.[9] He was left unranked by NHL Central Scouting in his first year of draft eligibility in 2008,[10] and went undrafted that year. Following his 108-point season with the Hitmen, the Los Angeles Kings selected Kozun with their sixth-round pick, 179th overall, at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.[8] Kozun led the WHL in scoring in 2009–10, scoring 13 points in his final five games to finish with 107 points to win the Bob Clarke Trophy.[11]

The Kings assigned Kozun to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, to begin the 2010–11 season.[12]

In his home debut for the Monarchs, on October 16, 2010, against the Providence Bruins, Kozun scored two goals, the first of which was a penalty shot goal at 19:26 of the game's first period. The goal was the first of two penalty shot attempts by the Monarchs, a franchise record for penalty shots awarded in a game.

After four seasons in the Kings organization, Kozun was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs on January 22, 2014, in exchange for forward Andrew Crescenzi. Kozun was assigned to the AHL's Toronto Marlies.[13] After an impressive display in pre-season Kozun made the final cut for the Maple Leafs for the 2014–15 season. He scored his first NHL point with an assist on a goal by Nazem Kadri in the season opener against the Montreal Canadiens on October 8, 2014. He was later placed on waivers on December 17, 2014.[14] He would remain with the organization, however, and later in the season, on February 20, 2015, Kozun scored his first career NHL goal in his eighth game played.

On June 18, 2015, Kozun left the Maple Leafs to sign a one-year deal with Jokerit of the Kontinental Hockey League.[15] As the League's only Finland-based team, Kozun made an immediate impact with Jokerit in the 2015–16 season.[16] He led the club with 34 assists and 49 points in 58 games to help Jokerit claim the Bobrov Division before suffering a first round defeat to the hands of Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod.

After three seasons with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, Kozun left as a free agent following the 2018–19 season. He signed a one-year contract to continue in the KHL with Metallurg Magnitogorsk on May 1, 2019.[17]

Kozun enjoyed one season in Magnitogorsk before continuing in the KHL with Belarusian club, HC Dinamo Minsk, on a one-year contract on August 6, 2020.[18]

On July 6, 2021, Kozun joined HC Ambrì-Piotta of the National League (NL) on a one-year deal.[19]

Following a season returned with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, on June 14, 2022, Kozun transferred as a free agent to sign a one-year contract in returning with Belarusian KHL club, HC Dinamo Minsk.[20]

Upon completion of his second stint with Dinamo Minsk, Kozun as a free agent returned to North America after eight seasons abroad in an attempt to make a comeback to the NHL. On September 20, 2023, he was announced to have signed a professional tryout agreement to attend the 2023 training camp of the Colorado Avalanche.[21]