Jersey #17 has been worn by some memorable players in the history of the Toronto Marlies franchise.

Kris Newbury wore it in Toronto’s inaugural season, finishing second in team scoring.

In 2007/08 and 2008/09 David Ling and Tim Stapleton respectively wore #17. Both forwards led the team in scoring during those seasons.

Other memorable names include Mike Zigomanis, Paul Ranger, Nicolas Deschamps (who made a huge impact in 2012), David Broll and current Captain, Rich Clune.

During the second half of the 2013-14 campaign, #17 was selected by the relative unknown, Brandon Kozun.

The flying winger enjoyed his last season in junior hockey.

As a member of the Calgary Hitmen, Kozun led his team to a WHL championship in 2009/10.

He led the league in assists (75) and points (107) during the regular season and achieved the same feat in the play-offs.

Kozun would also win a Silver medal with Canada at the U20 World Championships.

The Los Angeles Kings opted to pen the winger to an entry-level contract in 2010 after drafting him 179th overall in 2009.

The Californian native turned professional later that year with the Kings AHL affiliate.

Kozun was a solid performer for the Manchester Monarchs through three and a half seasons.

Despite producing 179 points in 263 games at the AHL level, the call from Los Angeles to take the step up never arrived.

In late January of 2014, Kozun found himself traded to Toronto with enforcer Andrew Crescenzi heading the other way.

Essentially an AHL trade which resulted in both players being reassigned to the Marlies’ and Monarchs’ respectively.

Kozun joined a Marlies’ team on route to winning another divisional championship but coming off a long road trip.

Toronto won just one of the first four games Kozun played in, with the winger producing his first points (two assists) in a 5-3 reverse to Oklahoma City Barons.

The following game, Kozun’s fifth in a Marlie uniform, showed the winger at his offensive best.

Toronto mustered a come-from-behind 4-3 overtime victory against San Antonio.

Kozun was at the heart of the victory.

His second-period goal halved the initial deficit.

An assist in the third period helped Toronto claw the game back to 2-3.

Then, in the overtime frame, Kozun struck just 24 seconds in on the power play to complete the comeback.

The American-born forward would record eleven points in his next thirteen games.

He found offense a little more troublesome to come by down the stretch run.

However, he would contribute during the ensuing playoff run.

Two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist helped Toronto defeat Milwaukee in game two of the first round, which they swept 3-0.

His opening goal in the Conference Final series against Texas helped propel Toronto to a 5-1 game one success.

The Stars would take an enthralling series in seven games but Kozun’s Toronto story didn’t end there.

The Maple Leafs penned the forward to a one-year in the summer and Kozun would make his NHL debut on opening night against Montreal.

The forward recorded an assist on his debut on HNIC.

His initial stint in the NHL would last just five games due to a nasty ankle injury.

In all, Kozun would play twenty games in the NHL through the 2014-15 campaign, scoring twice and putting up four points.

His first NHL goal was a case of if you don’t succeed at first, try, try again.

Back in the AHL, Kozun suited up in 23 games for the Toronto Marlies, recording eleven points.

There would be no second go-around at winning a Calder Cup championship.

The Californian native opted to move away from North America and headed for Europe.

During the 2015-16 campaign, Kozun made a strong impression with Finnish team Jokerit in the KHL.

Forty-nine points in 58 games followed by six points in as many playoff games caught the attention of Russian-based clubs.

Kozun spent the next five seasons in the KHL, representing Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (three seasons), Metallurg Magnitogorsk (one season) and Dinamo Minsk (one season). 

The closest he came to winning a championship was with Lokomotiv in 2017 when they made it through to the conference finals before being swept by SKA.

The American forward decided it was time for another change and for 2021-22 signed with Swiss team HC Ambrì-Piotta. As recently as December 21, Kozun and Ambrì-Piotta mutually agreed to terminate his contract.

The winger duly signed terms with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and will be back in the KHL.

At still only 31 years of age, Kozun will return to a league where he has amassed 233 points in 306 games.

Brandon Kozun career numbers

Toronto Marlies GP:55 G:12 A:16 P:28

AHL GP:318 G:91 A:116 P:207

Toronto Maple Leafs GP:20 G:2 A:2 P:4

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