Admirals defenceman lowers the boom
Alexander Boom is the perfect combination of brains and brawn.
The 16-year-old defenceman for the Southern Tier Admirals plays the game with a physical edge and also does well in school at Notre Dame where his grades range between 85 and 90 per cent.
Boom is eligible for the Ontario Hockey League draft next week and is hopeful of being selected, but isn’t overly concerned as his grades give him plenty of other options.
“Just wait and see and hope for the best,” he said when asked about the draft. “I’ve always wanted to play in the OHL and then obviously in the NHL.”
Boom is contemplating the NCAA route should the OHL not work out.
“I was considering going there for schooling, I’ve got to see what happens,” he said. “I know I can always go somewhere else, even like a prep school in the States and play U18 and then have shot at the draft then. I have a pretty good feeling.”
Boom, who has had some contact with the Peterborough Petes and Oshawa Generals, understands his role as a defenceman.
“I’m a physical defenceman and I like to join the rush too, kind of like a 200-foot player,” he said. “The more modern game now is more offence so I changed my game a little bit, but not much.
“I’ve always been bigger. I was tall and stronger than most the kids ever since I was little too. I was always had a physical side of my game.”
Boom collected three assists in 34 regular season games for the Admirals this season before adding an assist in eight playoff games.
“I started off a little rough at the start but then I got better toward the end and played pretty good in the playoffs,” he said.
Admirals coach Kevin Rosebrugh appreciates Boom’s skill set.
“Alex is a steady defenceman who has a good understanding of how to defend with an active stick and good gaps,” Rosebrugh said. “He has high compete level and makes a good first pass.”
Boom began skating when he was three years old before joining minor hockey. He made it to the AAA level in his U13 season for the Admirals before playing two seasons for the Hamilton Huskies and then returning to the Admirals this season.
He is all hockey, all the time.
“I play just hockey, all summer and off ice (training) too,” he said.
Boom is Pelham resident who attended St. Alexander Catholic Elementary School.
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