by Nic Phelan, Lead Correspondent, IceCaps Hockey Report
ST. JOHN’S, NL. — The Canadiens 2012 third round draft pick is a feel-good story if there ever was one. In a publicly announced battle with meningitis, Tim Bozon was fighting for much more than a spot on the Habs roster. Bozon spent almost two weeks in a medically-induced coma in early 2014 after complaining of severe headaches and becoming non-responsive. Upon waking up from the coma, Bozon has to spend months rehabilitating and eventually made his way back to the Habs development camp that fall. He was sent back to juniors to the Kootenay Ice after the Habs brass deemed it necessary to bring him along slowly. Although this has effectively burned the first year of his entry level contract, it was well worth it for his development after finishing the 2014-15 season with 35 goals.
Bozon began his junior career on fire with the Kamloops Blazers putting up 71 points in 71 games in a much more defensive Western Hockey League. This warranted the Habs selection of him 64th overall at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. He never disappointed in his sophomore campaign putting up another 36 goals adding 55 assists on an electric line with J.C. Lipon and Colin Smith. Bozon has demonstrated in four seasons at the junior level that whether with a top tier team such as Kamloops (first in their division) or middle of the pack like Kootenay (seventh in their conference) , he’s been able to contribute by putting the puck in the back of the net.
As of now Bozon comes into the AHL with the advantage of being a year older than most rookies out of the Canadian junior system. Figuring to be more of a goal scorer, we have him slated to fit nicely on that second line next to big Mike McCarron and AHL vet Sven Andrighetto. Expectations must be dialed back as he still looks to find his way, but at 6-foot-1-inch and 207 pounds he has enough size to compete, and there is potential there to follow up Daniel Carr’s campaign as the top rookie goal scorer in the AHL. Goal scoring, after all, was his specialty in junior through four years Bozon found the back 140 times in just 260 games. That is exactly what Sylvain Lefebvre is hoping to get out of the Switzerland native.
In case you missed it:
IceCaps Roster Feature – Sven Andrighetto
IceCaps Roster Feature – Mark Barberio
IceCaps Roster Feature – Mac Bennett