Bozon latest Swiss player to succeed in WHL

By Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor

In the 1860s, U.S. author Horace Greeley coined the phrase, "Go west, young man," motivating American expansion to the west coast.

In Switzerland, the phrase has been co-opted to, "Go to the Western Hockey League, young hockey players."

Kamloops Blazers forward Tim Bozon is the latest to follow that mantra, becoming the most recent Swiss junior player to successfully migrate to the WHL.

The 6-foot, 183-pound left wing led all first-year WHL players with 36 goals in 2011-12, and his 71 points were second among league rookies and third on the Blazers. He also was an impressive plus-27, third on the team and fifth among league rookies.

Bozon also had an impressive turn at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects game in February, impressing many with his creativity in the Breakaway Challenge event. He held the puck on the blade of his stick and then extended the stick high over his head as he skated in on goal. It was a move he said he had been practicing for two years -- back to when he saw fellow Swiss native Nino Niederreiter pull off his memorable glove toss during the same event at the 2010 Top Prospects Game.

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