DETROIT a€“ In the Maple Leafs 28-page training camp guide, Brandon Kozun, a California native, is listed at 5-foot-8 and 167 pounds, but up close he looks much smaller than that. Kozun is among the unlikeliest of final contenders to crack the NHL squad in Toronto, just another hurdle for a kid from Los Angeles to overcome. a€?As a smaller guy you obviously have an uphill climb,a€? said the 24-year-old, who moved to Calgary at age 10. a€?Ita€?s not a surprise. This is a game of men and as a smaller guy, youa€?re always going to listen to the critics say that youa€?re big enough or youa€?re not strong enough. But for me ita€?s always been a€?Ia€?m going to prove you wronga€? and try and get to that next level. Kozun has never played an NHL game, but is sure he will one day a€“ if not very soon. Therea€?s an air of confidence (but not cockiness) about him, one seemingly born from a career of being doubted, dismissed and overlooked because of his smallish stature. a€?Because of your size you get cut from certain situations and for me ita€?s always been that determination to get to that next level,a€? he said. a€?No matter what anyone says Ia€?m going to get there.a€? Of the 210 North American skaters ranked by NHL Central Scouting in 2008, an 18-year-old Kozun was nowhere to be found. He went undrafted that summer, but came back the following year and absolutely tore up the Dub, potting 40 goals and 108 points a€“ good for second in the league a€“ for the WHLa€?s top team, the Calgary Hitmen. He found his name on those rankings (150th) following that performance and was plucked up by L.A. with the 179th-overall selection at the draft in Montreal that June. Buried amongst the Kings talented prospect pool, Kozun spent three-plus seasons in the AHL with Manchester a€“ scoring more than 20 goals three times a€“ before landing in Toronto last January in a midseason trade that sent Andrew Crescenzi to L.A. Now he finds himself bidding for an NHL opportunity with the Leafs, his unlikely combination of wheels and pluckiness earning him a good, long and rewarding look. Few could have expected him to last this long and therea€?s a case to be made that hea€?s earned a spot. a€?Ia€?ve tried to just come into it with a a€?whatever happens, happensa€? mentality,a€? he said. a€?I feel like I dona€?t have anything to lose.a€? Ita€?s the skating with Kozun that first grabs the eye, a must for a player of his stature, according to head coach, Randy Carlyle. a€?Well I think thata€?s his biggest asset,a€? Carlyle said recently. a€?If you come and watch him he jumps out at you because of his speed.a€? The player agrees. a€?As a smaller guy I think you kind of need that in the game today,a€? Kozun said. a€?I think it helps me navigate around the ice. Ita€?s just part of my game. Ita€?s something I try to use as a weapon. When Ia€?m skating thata€?s when Ia€?m most effective.a€? And though he may be small, Kozun tries to play big. Hea€?s not appeared afraid or unwilling to throw around that diminutive frame, especially up the ice on the penalty kill, where hea€?s been used from time to time in the preseason. The Marlies were actually surprised to learn last season that he hadna€?t been used much as a penalty killer prior to joining their team - his ability to disrupt opposing power-plays with speed and forcefulness an obvious benefit. That was noticeable at the Joe in Detroit on Monday; Kozun broke free of the defence for a short-handed breakaway that was turned aside by Red Wings goalie, Petr Mrazek. Kozun later landed in the box for a heavy, hard-charging hit on Stephen Weiss and then replaced Matt Frattin alongside Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk, bursting past the Wings for two more good chances in the final frame. His fight is ultimately for the one of the final forward spots, likely the fourth line right-wing position occupied mostly by Colton Orr last season. With his wheels, rambunctiousness, penalty-killing ability and potential for bits of offence, he offers more tools than that of his current competition. Hea€?s outplayed that competition at camp, no less a€“ Orr, Troy Bodie, Frazer McLaren, Carter Ashton, Tyler Biggs, David Broll and even Frattin, who has had a mediocre preseason in the eyes of head coach. In question for Carlyle, his coaching staff and management is whether Kozuns assets will translate when the game rises to NHL speeds. a€?The challenge will be and is for the small guy, the smaller player in stature to make an impact,a€? said Carlyle, a€?the same impact he was making at the American Hockey League, can that continue on into the NHL against bigger, stronger, faster-skating defencemen?a€? Others of similar stature have shown recently that it can be done. Nathan Gerbe, listed at 5-foot-6 and 180, scored 16 goals last year in Carolina, killing penalties and injecting bite along the way. Stephen Gionta, 5-foot-7 and of the same build as Gerbe, remains a feisty fourth-line force for Peter DeBoer in Jersey. Kozun, for one, doesna€?t hide from the belief he has in himself or his abilities. Hea€?s confident he can get to the next level. a€?I think you have to have confidence in yourself,a€? he said. a€?If I were to tell you a€?no, I dona€?t believe Ia€?m going to get therea€? 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The Asheville, N.C. native, who signed as a free agent with the CFL club last May, didnt see any action with Edmonton this season after opening the year on the injured list.The Houston Texans have parted ways with quarterback Brian Hoyer and his release will become official on Monday, according to the Houston Chronicle. Hoyer started nine games last season but was no longer in the teams plans after the off-season signing of Brock Osweiler to a four-year $72m contract. Hoyer passed for 2,606 yards and a career-best 19 touchdowns against seven interceptions in 11 games last season.But he disintegrated during a 30-0 playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs when he threw four interceptions and lost a fumble.ddddddddddddThe Texans attempted to trade Hoyer but couldnt find an interested party and the 30-year-old is now free to sign with a team of his choice. Also See: NFL Video Rookies guide NFL on Sky Sports Pundits ' ' '