Devils add Kozun to complete netminding duo

Photo: USports

The Cardiff Devils have signed a second overseas goalie to complete their netminding duo for 2021/22.

26-year-old Taran Kozun joins the Welsh side alongside Mac Carruth to give Head Coach Jarrod Skalde plenty of options in net.

The Canadian spent three seasons at the University of Saskatchewan where he was an All-Star in the USports West two seasons in a row, and also won the overall Goaltender of the Year award in 2020 as well as the MVP Award for his conference.

Last season, Kozun suffered from Coronavirus early on and then ended up being traded multiple times as an emergency goalie because he had already recovered from the virus.

"Taran is a great goaltender and has proven that over his Junior and University career. Just look at what he did at the USport level, he was the best in the country for 2 years," explained Skalde.

"Last year was a ridiculous situation for him, but one I can appreciate from personal experience of getting traded or sent up or down in the minor leagues.

"We were always looking for two legitimate goaltenders that can compete for games. I know in this league teams rely heavily on their starting goalies and traditional backups in the EIHL don’t get much game time, but that won’t be the case for us.

"We play a lot of games over the course of eight months, and I want to have two great goalies so we are at our best every night and I expect them to compete every day for that starting position."