Surprising Rookies Who Made Opening-Day Rosters

Brandon Kozun

Oct 8, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Brandon Kozun (67) carries the puck against the Montreal Canadiens at the Air Canada Centre. Montreal defeated Toronto 4-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Kozun’s road to the NHL took a little longer than Duclair’s, even though Kozun also put up amazing numbers in junior. After putting up two 100+ point seasons in the WHL, Kozun spent four years in the AHL, but finally made it to the NHL by cracking the Toronto Maple Leafs’ roster.

The 24-year-old gave the Leafs’ coaching brass tough decisions after his outstanding play, and was one of the reasons  why they decided to place enforcers Colton Orr and Frazer McLaren on waivers. Kozun is small, quick, and can score, not typical of a fourth-liner.