The Atlanta Thrashers have re-signed forward Vyacheslav Kozlov to a multi-year deal, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell.
Kozlov, 35, recorded a career-high 80 points (28 goals, 52 assists) in 81 games with the Thrashers last season, his fourth with the team. The 5-10, 190-pound left wing ranked second on the team in points and assists, and finished third in goals. He also placed first on the club and set a franchise record with eight game-winning goals, and led the league with five shootout game-deciding goals. Kozlov reached several career milestones during the 2006-07 season, including his 300th NHL goal (March 12 vs. Washington), his 400th NHL assist (March 8 vs. Montreal) and his 700th NHL point (March 12 vs. Washington) and was awarded the 2007 Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy, given annually to the Thrashers’ unsung hero. Kozlov also appeared in four playoff games.
The native of Voskresensk, Russia has registered 710 points (305 goals, 405 assists) in 963 career games over 15 NHL seasons with Detroit, Buffalo and the Thrashers. Since being acquired by the Thrashers from Buffalo for a second-round selection and a third-round selection in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft on June, 22, 2002, he has tallied 273 points (94 goals, 179 assists). He currently ranks first on the Thrashers’ all-time assists list and second on the team’s all-time goals and points lists.
Kozlov, who was originally selected by Detroit in the second round, 45th overall, in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, helped the Red Wings capture back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships in 1997 and 1998 and owns Detroit’s franchise record with 12 game-winning goals in the playoffs. He ranks fifth on Detroit’s all-time playoff goals list with 42 and is seventh with 79 points (42 goals, 37 assists) in 114 post-season contests.
Prior to joining Detroit in 1991, Kozlov tallied 58 points (28 goals, 30 assists) and 112 penalty minutes in 126 games over five seasons in the Russian Elite League from 1987-91. He has represented his country in 10 international competitions, including the Soviet Union’s gold-medal winning team at the 1990 Goodwill Games. He also helped the Soviet Union capture the silver medal at the 1990 and 1991 World Junior Championships, and the bronze medal at the 1991 World Championships. |
