The Sutherland Cup champions have entered a partnership to boost hockey pedigree in Windsor-Essex.
The Leamington Flyers have announced a partnership with A21 Academy, a prep school that enhances the academics of hockey players.
"By partnering with a great school like A21 and the Flyers entering our first season in the OJHL, we envision this as a chance for young players to get world-class training, development, and opportunity to pursue their hockey goals all in their own backyard," said Flyers owner Cam Crowder in a media release.
The Flyers' general manager, Justin Solcz, will serve in the same capacity for A21 Academy.
"Our mission statement is to empower student-athletes to reach their full potential on and off the ice," said Solcz. "With the staff we have assembled and the facilities we have access to, we expect this to be a destination for anyone looking to grow as a player, a student, and a person. The teaching staff do an amazing job on the academics side and with our proven player development model we will bring the same expertise to the hockey product."
Justin Buzzeo will serve as the head of hockey, as well as the U-18 team's head coach. Matt Anthony will be the goaltending coach.
Flyers' head coach Dale Mitchell will serve as a player development coach and mentor, along with Greg Day, Thomas Luxik, and Kyle Makaric. Eric Palazzolo will take on the role of strength, conditioning, and nutrition coach.
Alumni have gone on to play college hockey at over 40 schools in Canada and the U.S., including the University of Windsor, York University, the University of Michigan, and Michigan State University.
A21 Academy works with players in grades 5 to 12, plus post-graduate opportunities. Current and future players are invited to an open house on Wednesday, at 7:30 p.m., at the club's facility inside the WFCU Centre in Windsor.
The partnership comes during the Flyers' offseason, between their first-ever Sutherland Cup victory and their elevation to the junior-A Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), which takes effect for the 2023-24 season.
Complete information about the A21 Academy program can be found on its official website.