Defenceman Kosack joins Battalion
NORTH BAY, Ont. – Newcomer Austin Kosack will be on the North Bay Battalion blue line when the Ottawa 67’s visit Memorial Gardens at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the annual New Year’s Eve game.
Kosack, who turned 19 last March 22, practised with the Ontario Hockey League team Monday night and Tuesday after leaving Ferris State of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
“He’s a good skater, a good puck-mover and a smart player,” Stan Butler, Battalion director of hockey operations and head coach, said Tuesday. “He’ll play tomorrow.”
A five-foot-11, 185-pound resident of Oakville, Ont., Kosack was taken by the Brampton-based Battalion in the eighth round, 149th overall, of the 2011 OHL Priority Selection from the Oakville Rangers minor midgets.
Kosack had one goal and one assist for two points in nine games with Ferris State, located in Big Rapids, Mich.
Kosack played last season with the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League, scoring three goals and earning 26 assists for 29 points in 57 games. He had six assists in 12 playoff games as Indiana won the USHL championship before the franchise was declared dormant for 2014-15.
North Bay, with a won-lost-extended record of 16-9-6 for 38 points, second in the Central Division, plays its first game since the OHL’s Christmas break against Ottawa. The 67’s, who defeated the visiting Kingston Frontenacs 5-4 in overtime Sunday, are 17-14-2 for 36 points, third in the East Division.
