The Oswego Stampede are very excited to announce that goaltender Steven Kozikoski has committed to Oswego State College NCAA D-3 for the fall of 2018.
Kozikoski, the 6’3″ 170 lb 1999 birth-year player from Liverpool,NY., is one of the top Tier 3 goaltenders with a save percentage of .935 which ranks him 9th in all Tier 3 and 7th in the NA3HL. Kozikoski also has the most saves recorded in a tier 3 shutout this season to date with 49 saves on 10/21/17 VS The Northeast Generals.
Kozikoski’s parents Suzanne and Greg Kozikoski of Liverpool, NY are elated to have their son attend Oswego State next fall. “We are both very excited and proud of Steven and his commitment to Oswego State. Knowing we will be able to attend games and watch him play over the next four years is a great feeling.” stated Greg Kozikoski.
“Koz is a great kid that has worked very hard over his hockey career. He was brought in to our organization by former Stampede coach Jason Lefevre (Currently a goalie coach with Morrisville State College NCAA D-3 SUNYAC) I am very happy for Koz as he has worked his tail off to get the chance he has been given and I feel that he will do very well at the NCAA D-3 level.” States Stampede Head Coach Mike Beavis. “I would like to thank the Binghamton Jr. Sens organization for their help with promoting Koz to Oswego State as well. Head Coach Chris Laganiere and Ray Welsh played a very big roll in speaking highly of our player to Oswego State Coach Ed Gosek. Both Oswego and Binghamton have always shared a healthy relationship with each other to help promote our players on when we can.” Added Beavis
When Lefevre heard the news about Kozikosk he sent the following quote. “From a young age Steven showed all the attributes of an NCAA goalie. He absorbed everything that was taught to him and always eager to ask questions and bounce ideas off me. His compete level and dedication to our goalie sessions set him apart from other goalies his age. He is most deserving of this commitment. Oswego State is getting a first class human being and I am very excited to watch him continue to develop at the college level.”Lefevre spent years working to develop Kozikoski during his time as an assistant with Colgate NCAA D-1 and at various goaltending camps in the area.
George Roll Head Coach (Nazareth College UCHC D-3) was also quoted as saying in reference to kozikoski at a recent Stampede home game. “He is potentially a D-1 caliber goaltender”. Several times during the contest Roll mentioned how impressed he was with the Stampede net-minder.
The Oswego State staff are very excited that Kozikoski will be joining the team next season and feel that having a local guy like Steven is a tremendous opportunity for a player to represent all Central Ny during his college career. Kozikoski is not the first goaltender that played for Oswego State from an Oswego based junior program that Beavis was involved with, Tim Potter transferred to Oswego State from Clarkson University for the 2008-09 season before playing in the ECHL. Potter played for the Oswego Admirals in the OPJHL for Beavis in 2006-2007 before moving on to Clarkson and then Oswego State. Kozikoski is the first Oswego junior hockey player to attend Oswego State directly from his Oswego based junior program.
The Stampede hope that this the beginning of a working relationship with Oswego State and both the Stampede and the the Oswego State Lakers coaching staff feel it will be something that the Oswego community will feel great about. Kozikoski is a local guy that is getting to attend the school of his childhood dreams and will don the Lakers colors beginning next season. The entire Stampede organization wish him nothing but the best on his achieving his college goals. “As the landscape of junior hockey continues to change, it’s always a great feeling that you can still do what is right for your players. One thing is for sure, this is the biggest reason that after 30 years coaching that I am still able to love what I do. I believe that the NA3HL is one of the top leagues for junior development with a direct pathway to higher levels of junior hockey and to the college level of play.” added Beavis.
The Stampede and Kozikoski will face off this evening VS the Niagara Powerhawks at “The Fort” in Oswego. Puck drop will be at 7 PM. Be sure to catch all the action live or tune in to hockeytv.com
