Powell River Minor Hockey product Kooper Kozmeniuk has been drafted by the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Prince George Cougars.
The Powell River Kings under-15 star forward was drafted 178th overall. He said it has always been his goal to play in the WHL someday. He will be attending training camp in Prince George in August.
Kozmeniuk, 14-years-old, is coming off a great season with the U15 Kings, with the team having won the 2024/2025 provincial championship. They were only defeated by one team this past season, with the team from Nanaimo besting Powell River team on three occasions.
Kozmeniuk was a scoring machine for the Kings, netting 106 goals during the season. His guess is that he was the league-leader in goals scored. He also scored 20 goals in six games at the provincial championship in Cranbrook, include a hat trick in the final against Terrace.
Kozmeniuk has been working hard over the past year on his strength and skills to become a more rounded player. He said he has been going to the gym frequently, and has worked on becoming a faster and stronger skater.
“I’ve got a lot faster making plays,” said Kozmeniuk.
On the ice, he has been improving his shooting in tight spaces, and driving the net is a big thing for him now.
“I’m also working on my breakaways, because I’m not very good on breakaways,” said Kozmeniuk.
As a forward, he has played all three positions. Kozmeniuk shoots left, and plays left wing a lot, but he has also played right wing and centre.
“I basically play wherever the coach wants me to play,” he said.
Size-wise, Kozmeniuk said he is average. Some of his opposition is as tall as six feet, one or two inches, and as short as five feet, five inches. He said he is able to manage the physical play, but prefers being a finesse player.
Kozmeniuk said he is too young to play in the WHL, so next season, he will be leaving Powell River Minor Hockey and going to the Burnaby Winter Club. He said he wants to hone his hockey skills in the city to hopefully make the Cougars when he is older.
Kozmeniuk said he is moving to Burnaby because he was asked if he wanted a spot on the team. He toured a school and said it was great. He then went on the ice with the U17 team.
“Everyone’s really nice,” said Kozmeniuk, who enjoyed people involved with the team and the teachers he met. “Also, Burnaby is not too far from home.”
Kozmeniuk said Burnaby Winter Club plays in the Canadian Sports School Hockey League, so his opposition will be other school teams. He said there are teams in the Okanagan and in Calgary, so he will have some travelling ahead of him.
He has so far not received any direction for training from his new school, but he did attend the BC Cup again this year, which is a developmental program for young players. He was the only Powell River player to make the BC Cup this year.
“You get information about how good you are at each thing because we did testing,” said Kozmeniuk. “So, from that, I know what I need to work on.”
He is both excited and nervous about the coming hockey season.
“I’m excited to play in Burnaby and spend the year there, but yeah, I’m a little nervous to be away from home for so long,” said Kozmeniuk.
He will be billeted in Burnaby, but so far, hasn’t received information on his new billet family.
Kozmeniuk is interested to find out how he fits into the new team. He has been a great scorer, but he’s moving to a league with bigger and stronger players, with better goalies and more gifted players. While he has been great at putting the puck in the net while playing from Powell River rep teams, he acknowledges that with his new team, he may be more of a playmaker.
“I don’t really know where I will fit in,” said Kozmeniuk, “but I can’t wait for the opportunity.”
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