Twenty-year-old forward Adam Osczevski has been picked to lead the Cowichan Valley Capitals into the 2015/16 B.C. Hockey League season, which begins this Friday when the Caps host the Victoria Grizzlies at 7 p.m.
Osczevski came to the Caps along with Kade Kehoe in an early-season trade with the West Kelowna Warriors last year, and according to head coach Bob Beatty, he made an immediate impact on and off the ice.
"Adam is what you want the Capitals identity to be all about," Beatty said. "He is a spirited, hard working player that plays both ends of the ice with intensity and passion. He has the courage to block a shot, take and give a hit, or stick up for his teammates. Most importantly, he will stand up for what he believes in and not only challenge his teammates and coaches to be better, but hold himself accountable to the highest standard."
Accountability is key for a captain, and Osczevski gets that.
"I try to hold guys accountable and I try to hold myself as accountable as possible," said Osczevksi.
"It's a season full of anticipation and excitement for Capitals fans and the team itself with expectations being raised. I can hopefully help guys get better and be a good leader. We're getting ready for a good season, we're going to get a lot of wins this year and we're going to work our tails off to get there."
Osczevski had three points in 13 games with Kelowna before the trade, but found his offensive touch with Cowichan, scoring 12 goals and assisting on nine more in 41 contests.
The Caps made another tweak to their roster on Wednesday, getting 20-year-old forward Patrick Geary from the Lloydminster Bobcats of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in exchange for 19-year-old forward Mackenzie Bauer.
A native of Liberty, Illinois, Geary had 31 points on 18 goals and 13 assists in 34 games for Lloydminster last season, and has compiled 56 points in 92 junior A games over the last two years.
"Patrick is a third year Junior A player with size and skill," Beatty said. "He was a point-per-game player last year while accumulating 105 penalty minutes the year before. We expect Patrick to be able to provide both scoring and grit to the Capitals line-up."
Bauer was an offseason acquisition by the Caps from the Vernon Vipers and will be returning to his home province. He had two game-winning goals for the Caps in preseason exhibition.
This will be the second year in a row that the Caps have opened the season at home against the Grizzlies, and will be looking for a repeat of last year's victory. The Caps will be back in action the next night at home to the Powell River Kings, and fans who attend the first game can purchase a ticket for the second game at half price.