KOZAK, JOHNSON RE-SIGN THREE-YEAR DEALS WITH SABRES
Forward and defenseman are both coming off career years with Rochester
Jul 1, 2025
The Buffalo Sabres announced today that the team has re-signed forward Tyson Kozak and defenseman Ryan Johnson to three-year NHL contracts.
Kozak, 22, split the 2024-25 season between Buffalo and Rochester, totaling 11 goals and eight assists for 19 points in 52 combined games. He also added four points while appearing in all eight playoff contests during the Amerks’ run to the North Division Finals this past spring.
A native of Souris, Manitoba, Kozak made his NHL debut on Dec. 5 against Winnipeg before scoring his first NHL goal two days later against Utah. Kozak would remain with the Sabres for the remainder of the season, appearing in 21 games and recording five points (3+2).
Kozak has amassed 36 points (18+18) in 127 career AHL games with Rochester while also adding nine points (3+6) in 26 Calder Cup Playoff appearances.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound forward was Buffalo’s seventh round selection (193rd overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Johnson’s deal is two-way for the first year and one-way for the remaining two years.
Johnson, 23, was scheduled to become a restricted free agent on Tuesday. He has played 44 games – 41 in 2023-24, three in 2024-25 – in his NHL career with the Sabres, totaling seven assists and a plus-one rating with an average ice time of 14:08.
Over the last two seasons with the Amerks, Johnson has recorded 22 points (2+20) and a plus-18 rating in 93 regular season games. The 6-foot-1, left-shot blueliner has added two assists in 13 Calder Cup Playoff contests.
Buffalo selected Johnson in the first round (31st overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft. The Irvine, Calif., native then played four seasons at the University of Minnesota, the last as an alternate captain. Johnson also represented the United States at the 2021 World Junior Championship.
Season Ticket Memberships for the 2025-26 season, which start as low as $19 per game, are on sale now and come with several Members-only perks and benefits. Full and Half Season Membership options are also available. For more information on Amerks Season Tickets or to sign up today, call 585-454-5335 or visit www.amerks.com/memberships.
