DU Alum Tyler Bozak Named 1st Line Center

(above) Tyler Bozak's 1st NHL goal last season was named Toronto's "Goal Of The Year" by the team

From: Toronto Observer
by Tyler Edwards

While Nazem Kadri has hogged the majority of the spotlight heading into the 2010 NHL season, another young center is quietly slipping under the radar in Toronto.

In a market where the Maple Leafs are under constant scrutiny, it is rare to see a player with less than 40 games experience named to the first line.

However, Tyler Bozak will do just that as he begins this season centering the top line between Phil Kessel, and Nikolai Kulemin.

The 24-year-old from Regina has risen to the top of the world’s hockey capital faster than anyone expected.

After scoring 27 points in his first 37 NHL games last season, and showing plenty of chemistry with the team’s new sniper [Kessel] down the stretch, Bozak is suddenly expected to play a major role in bringing the blue-and-white back into Stanley Cup contention.

Coach Ron Wilson, not known for making predictions, has already pointed to Bozak and Kessel as the team’s most offensive dynamic duo heading into the season.

“Bozak is stronger, he’s more prepared for the battle … if Phil scores 40, then Tyler should be in on a lot of them,” Wilson said to the Toronto Star, Wednesday. “So maybe 50, 60 points would be a good season for Tyler. And I’m sure he can build on that too.”