Kozun reached the milestone against the Red Deer Rebels in last Wednesday’s home game, while Broda eclipsed the barrier two nights later against the very same Rebels team.
Such an accomplishment should not go unnoticed, yet both players state that they pay very little attention to such stats. “I actually didn’t really know I did it.” Kozun chuckled. While Broda echoed similar comments, “No, we are not even really aware, unless we are kind of reading it in the game notes.”
Both players are very quick to highlight other players’ successes, rather than their own. “It’s definitely an honour to do that, but I have played on a lot of good teams with a lot of good players and you have to give a lot of credit to them for that accomplishment.” Kozun said.
Broda was also reserved when talking about his feat, “It’s a testament to hard work and to playing with good players.”
Kozun, who leads the Hitmen in scoring with 93 points, gives praise to Broda for what he does on a nightly basis. “He’s been playing great lately, he’s probably got the best shot in the league. I have never seen a snap shot as good as his.”
Brandon adds that Broda’s goal scoring ability allows himself the added space to manoeuvre. “It opens up a lot of room for me because he demands that respect that he can put the puck in the net from any angle.”
Broda, who ranks third on the Hitmen in points but first in goals with 33, pushes the accolades right back on his teammate, “He is so good at making the right play, that you just have to get open and he will find you with that puck.”
When asked if there is any competition between the two of them, Broda laughs it off saying that there is a little but most of it is just a friendly rivalry. “A little of it is unspoken. You know, we are both motivated. We both want to do well, but at the same time, we both want each other to do well too.”
Lasting relationships are hard to come by in sport. The Flames have Conroy and Iginla who’s friendship blossomed playing alongside each other in 2001. Now, Joel Broda and Brandon Kozun fit that mould for Calgary’s Junior franchise.
Broda says their friendship will go far past their days as Hitmen. “We have gotten pretty close over the last year and half here playing together. We are pretty good friends and I think its going to be a friendship that lasts a long time.”
This was an article that I had published for hitmenhockey.com. Get out there and support our Junior team. They are playing really well!
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