When Kyle Bosch and Austin Nault were traded to the Melfort Mustangs this past season, it was a chance for the 20 year olds to make a playoff run before they ended their junior career. The Jr. Klippers traded them, but retained their two other 20 year olds in Tyler Traptow and Brendon Borbely, as well as an old face after they reacquired Devon Cyr from Estevan.

Bosch is a Kindersley native, and says that making his Klippers debut in front of his hometown was one of the highlights of his career. His stint in Kindersley allowed him to stay in school with his lifelong friends, and play for his childhood team. He was excited to get traded in effort to make a playoff run, but wasn’t super comfortable at first with the proposition of moving to Melfort.

“Living at home, and just being able to play in front of the town of Kindersley was great” said Bosch “I wasn’t to sure about going to Melfort, but everything there was top notch, the town, billets, coaching, teammates, everything.”

Another thing that made Bosch feel at home, is the fact that his cousin Kenzie Arnold was already an established piece of the Mustangs, as he had been traded to Melfort the season prior. Arnold played his first 2 SJHL seasons with the Nipawin Hawks, before picking up his scoring last year after his trade to Melfort, and breaking out this season with 52 points in 55 games.

“We played back in the day together, and then all the sudden I get traded to Melfort. We hung out probably more than we ever have there, going fishing and other winter stuff you could do there” remembered Bosch, “It was cool to play with him again and finish off junior, its unfortunate we couldn’t finish it out and win a championship together, but its always cool to play with him”

Unfortunately the two could not make a moment of their last game played together, after the SJHL ceased operations in mid-march along with so many other leagues. However, the two continued to fill the box scores in the SJHL Playoff Simulation being done on EA Sports NHL 20.

Bosch received an 85 overall rating and the second line centre spot for the Mustangs, as they took to the virtual ice to close out their series that was cut short against the Estevan Bruins. Bosch scored the 2-0 goal for the Mustangs in Game 5, that proved to be key as the Mustangs held on in overtime.

“I don't think I’ve ever used my backhand in real life, but it was a nice goal so I’ll take it” chuckled Bosch.

The Mustangs series win saw them move on to face the Flin Flon Bombers, and WestCentralOnline asked Bosch about what we could expect from the series.

“Flin Flons got some high rated players so it’ll be a tough test, but there’s always upsets so maybe the ol’ NHL simulation will do us some favors”

Bosch scored another goal in Game 2 of the Flin Flon series, in a 7-1 drubbing. He took the puck through the zone before sending it deep, and received the puck back near the net where he put a shot on net that was stopped, but Bosch would not be stopped a second time as he buried the rebound.

The SJHL took it upon themselves to complete the leagues playoffs, as the games have been streamed live on Twitch TV with commentators and special guest appearances. When asked if he was going to try his hand at the live commentary, Bosch laughed it off with a no, stating “I can’t talk like that”.