Five More to be Added to 73's Wall of Honour
(L-R) Milan Dobric, Mike Venables, Daniel LaBrash, in honour of his late father, Ted LaBrash, Ron 'Peewee' Prpich and Ron 'Soupy' Campbell.
Photo LAURIE BEATEN
Saturday, Nov. 18th, the Essex 73's hosted its Class of 2023 Wall of Honour Induction Ceremony, adding five more names to the already list of 36.
Last year, the Essex organization celebrated its 50th season and also established a Wall of Honour to pay tribute to those players, staff and others who have made a significant impact on the overall success of the club over the years.
Ted LaBrash, Milan (Mike) Dobric and Mike Venables will be entering in the Players Category, while long-time equipment managers, Ron ‘Soupy’ Campbell and Ron ‘Peewee” Prpich will enter in the Coach & Staff Category.
“The selection committee deliberated throughout the summer months and reached a decision based solely on a voting system,” said former 73’s goaltender, and selection committee chair, Joe Garon. “We strongly feel these five members meet or exceed the meaning of The Wall, and are all most deserving of this honour.”
LaBrash played four years with the 73’s from 1982-1985, and is the last 73’s player to score 40 goals (44) and 80 points (87) in a season (1985) while leading the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League in scoring that same season. He will join The Wall posthumously as he passed away in 2021 at the age of 57 after a long and courageous battle with Early-Onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Dobric played for the 73’s for three seasons (2008-2010) and was a high-scoring defenceman who also defended his own end as good as anyone. Dobric won one Schmalz Cup (2009). He is currently an assistant coach with the Lakeshore Canadiens.
Venables played five seasons in Essex and won two Schmalz Cups (2001 and 2005). He led his team in scoring on two occasions, including 2005 when he was crowned league scoring leader.
Campbell, referred to only as Soup, or Soupy, started his 73’s tenure in 1988-89 and was with the team in some capacity for over 20 years. His last season with Essex was 2013-14. He has been a part of 8 league championships and 2 Schmalz Cups.
Prpich, known simply as Peewee, started with the 73’s in 2002-03 and is in his 20th season with the club. He has been a part of 11 league championships and 3 Schmalz Cups.
Scarlett's Third Period Goal Ends 73's Season
LAKESHORE - Bryce Scarlett broke a 1-1 tie with just 8:48 left in regulation, and Trevor Larue hit the empty net, as the Lakeshore Canadiens finally got the Essex 73's out of their way.
Essex fell behind in the first period 1-0 on a goal by Landon Prince. Prince jumped up in the play and redirected a Kyle Walker shot past 73's goalie, Wyatt Sloetjes.
Essex had plenty of great chances and outshot the Canadiens 15-7. Lakeshore goalie, Boe Piroski, managed to keep the 73's off the scoreboard.
The second period, Essex finally got to Piroski and tied the game on a hard-working goal scored by rookie, Cael McCabe.
Heading into the third period, Essex held a 21-13 shots on goal lead but the score was knotted at 1-1.
In the third period, Essex had a few pucks slip past Piroski, one hitting the post with about five minutes to play, but they could not manufacture a tying goal, despite outshooting Lakeshore, 6-3.
Congratulations to the Lakeshore Canadiens on their fifth consecutive Stobbs championship, interrupted two years because of COVID.
The Canadiens will now take on the Thamesford Trojans on the PJHL Conference finals.
It must be noted, these two teams gave hockey fans much to cheer about this series. All seven games ended in either a one goal win, or a two-goal win with an empty netter. All seven games seen record crowds with the 73's drawing nearly 1,700 on last Friday night, and Lakeshore selling out their rink with hours to go before game time.
On the season, Lakeshore to date has lost just eight games and seven of those eight losses came at the expense of the Essex 73's. Meanwhile the 73's lost just seven games in regulation and once in overtime. Lakeshore was responsible for six of the 73's eight losses.
It is apparent that Lakeshore and Essex are the premier teams in the Stobbs Division and only these two teams stand in each other's way of capturing the Stobbs Championship.