Ontario Junior Hockey League resident writer Ron Valentine is profiling the 2024-25 team captains across The OJ.
BY RON VALENTINE
Nineteen-year old, Windsor-born ADRIAN BOSEV is the captain of the 2024-25 edition of the Leamington Flyers.
He was a part of the 2023-24 team in their inaugural OJHL season, recording nine goals and 28 points.
The season before, when the Flyers hoisted the GOJHL’s Sutherland Cup, he had 14 points in 35 regular season games and eight more points in the postseason. Adrian played all of his minor hockey as part of the Windsor Spitfire organization.
Bosevi is second in OJHL in scoring with four goals and four assists for the 3-0-0-0 Flyers who defeated Buffalo 5-1 in Leamington last night.
It’s Adrian’s first time as a captain: “Last season I wore an “A” so I was very pleased to get the “C” with still one more season of junior hockey left. From Atom until U18 I played in my hometown Windsor. We won a couple of championships and several of the players I played with and against are still friends to this day. The jump to Junior B was a big one but we collectively had a great season, winning the Sutherland Cup – definitely my highlight so far.”
“Last season we finished well in the West, ending up in third place and beat Georgetown and Milton in the playoffs before the Blues beat us. It was a good run for us and I think we surprised a lot of people, perhaps we were underrated, who were not sure what to expect from the team. There is a lot more travel for us than when we were in the GOJHL but we always try to get to the game about two hours ahead and that gives us the time to prepare after a long bus ride.”
“We were one of the top teams in Junior B in drawing fans and they stayed with us in the OJHL. It’s great to see at every home game. The Flyers have always been the dig deal in Leamington.” The Flyers drew well over 1,000 fans in five of their six playoffs games with a high count of 1,481 in game two against Collingwood. In the regular season they consistently drew between 800 and 950 fans per game.
“To stay at the level we were at last season and to exceed that we have to continue to improve as individuals and as a team. I look at myself as more of a grinder than a scorer or points producer, a player who thrives from hard work, but it’s always nice to score or set up a big goal.”
Of Adrian’s nine goals last season, three were game-winners.
“Dale (Mitchell) has kind of a weird dynamic in a good way. He looks out for you all the time, likes to keep things light but at practices and games for him it’s all about getting the best out of us and making us better players. I plan to do the same as captain and I’m looking forward to the new challenge. I want it to be a fun year because that’s important but I want to help players develop on and off the ice. I don’t like setting personal goals but if the team does well then everyone will.”
Head coach Mitchell: “Adrian has been with us throughout the transition from Junior B to Junior A. He consistently shows up every day regardless of the circumstances. While he has faced ups and downs during his time with us he has always prioritized the team. Adrian is someone that you can rely on, he embodies the resilient spirit of the Leamington Flyers.”
Quietly confident, Adrian should prove to be the leader that the Flyers are looking for.
The Flyers continue their three-game home stand Sunday when they host the King Rebellion.
Follow Ron Valentine on X @ronandlynda
