Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Dylan Cozens (ice hockey)

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 25, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Dylan Cozens (ice hockey) made an impact.

Dylan Cozens is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Ottawa Senators in the NHL. Drafted seventh overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 2019, he earned the nickname "The Workhorse from Whitehorse." Cozens holds the distinction of being the first player from the Yukon to achieve several milestones, including being a first-round pick in both the WHL and NHL drafts, and a member of the Canada men's national junior ice hockey team. He represents a significant talent emerging from a less traditional hockey region.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

November 13, 2016: First WHL Goal

On November 13, 2016, Dylan Cozens scored his first junior ice hockey goal in his WHL debut, during a 5–3 loss to the Saskatoon Blades.

2017: World U-17 Hockey Challenge

In 2017, Dylan Cozens made his first international tournament appearance at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge in British Columbia, capturing a silver medal with Canada Red and tying the team high with seven points in the tournament.

2018: Ranked as "A"-level NHL Prospect

At the start of the 2018-19 season, Dylan Cozens was ranked as an "A"-level prospect by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau, highlighting his potential for a future in the NHL.

2018: Hlinka Gretzky Cup

In 2018, Dylan Cozens served as an alternate captain for the Canadian under-18 team at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Alberta, where Canada won the gold medal.

July 15, 2019: Signed with the Sabres

On July 15, 2019, Dylan Cozens signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres, marking the beginning of his professional hockey career.

2019: WHL season ended early

Before the COVID-19 pandemic ended the 2019–20 WHL season early, Dylan Cozens had achieved 85 points in 51 games. In his final WHL season, he was a First Team All-Star and a runner-up for the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy.

2019: IIHF World U18 Championships

In 2019, Dylan Cozens finished his under-18 tournament career as an alternate captain for Team Canada at the IIHF World U18 Championships in Sweden. Canada failed to medal in the tournament, losing 5–2 to the United States in the third-place match. Cozens had four goals and nine points in seven games, tied for eighth among all tournament participants.

2019: Cozens Drafted to NHL

In 2019, Dylan Cozens was selected seventh overall in the NHL entry draft by the Buffalo Sabres, marking a significant milestone in his career.

2019: Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres

On June 21, 2019, Dylan Cozens was selected seventh overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL entry draft, becoming the first Yukon-born player ever taken in the first round of the NHL draft.

2020: Joined the Sabres

Dylan Cozens joined the Sabres for the 2020-21 season.

2020: World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

In 2020, Dylan Cozens represented Canada at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in the Czech Republic, winning a gold medal after Canada defeated Russia 4–3 in the championship match.

January 14, 2021: NHL Debut

On January 14, 2021, Dylan Cozens made his NHL debut with the Buffalo Sabres, recording his first NHL point with an assist.

2021: 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

At the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, Dylan Cozens served as co-captain for Team Canada, securing a silver medal after losing to the United States. He was also named to the tournament all-star team.

2021: Opportunity for Top-Six Centre

During the 2021–22 season, with Sam Reinhart's departure and Jack Eichel sidelined, an opportunity opened for Dylan Cozens to become a top-six centre for the Buffalo Sabres.

2022: First Senior World Championship

In 2022, Dylan Cozens played in his first senior World Championship tournament, finishing third in overall scoring and receiving a silver medal.

February 7, 2023: Signed Contract Extension with Sabres

On February 7, 2023, Dylan Cozens signed a 7-year contract extension with the Buffalo Sabres, worth $49.7 million, securing his future with the team.

2023: Invited to Join Team Canada

Following the end of the 2023–24 NHL season, with the Sabres not qualifying for the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Cozens accepted an invitation to join Team Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Championship.

2024: Invited to Join Team Canada

Following the end of the 2023–24 NHL season, with the Sabres not qualifying for the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Cozens accepted an invitation to join Team Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Championship.

March 7, 2025: Traded to Ottawa Senators

On March 7, 2025, Dylan Cozens, along with Dennis Gilbert and a 2026 second-round pick, was traded to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker.

2025: Cozens Traded to Ottawa Senators

In 2025, Dylan Cozens was traded to the Ottawa Senators at the trade deadline, marking a change in his NHL career.

2026: Second-Round Pick

In 2025, Dylan Cozens, along with Dennis Gilbert and a 2026 second-round pick, was traded to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker.