Essex 73's

The Essex 73's are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Essex, Ontario. The 73's are members of the Provincial Junior Hockey League and the Ontario Hockey Association. Prior to becoming members of the PJHL in 2016 the 73's won the GLJHL playoff championship 20 times and the Clarence Schmalz Cup as Provincial Junior C Champions 7 times.

Essex 73's
CityEssex, Ontario
LeagueProvincial Junior Hockey League
DivisionBill Stobbs
Founded1973
ColorsOrange, Black, and White
Head coachDanny Anger
League Champions1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1986, 1987, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Clarence Schmalz Cups1975, 1977, 1978, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2015[1]

History

The Essex 73's have competed in the Great Lakes Junior C Hockey League since the 1973–74 season.[2] In total, the club has won 20 Great Lakes Junior C League Championships and 7 All-Ontario Junior C titles. By both measures, they are the most successful team in Great Lakes Junior C Hockey League history. Their 7 Clarence Schmalz Cup (CSC) wins and 14 CSC finals appearances are both Ontario Junior C records.[3]

Essex goalie warming up during 2012 playoffs
73's goalie in 40th anniversary commemorative jersey during 2013 Schmalz Cup finals

With Dave Prpich behind the bench, the 73's won four league titles in a row from 1974–1975 to 1977–1978, including three All-Ontario Championships in that span. The 73's would claim two more Great Lakes League Championships in the 1980s in 1985–1986 and 1986–1987.[3]

After some struggles in the early to mid-1990s, the 73's got back into winning form, taking the title for the first time in ten years. In 1997–1998 the team won the Great Lakes League Championship by defeating the Wallaceburg Lakers in the league final. Their loss to the Kincardine Bulldogs in the All-Ontario semifinals marked the 73's most successful season in a decade.[3]

In the 2001–2002 season, general manager Al Lemay brought aboard head coach Tony Piroski, who coached the team from 2001 to 2010. The 73's had great success under Piroski, and in his first season the 73's won the Great Lakes League and the All-Ontario Title, defeating the Uxbridge Bruins in the finals.[3]

On September 27, 2003, 19-year-old forward Glen Ivancic was fatally stabbed in Windsor. A banner #25 hung from the rafters at the Essex Memorial Arena for years before it was given to his parents.

The team reached the All-Ontario Junior C Finals five straight seasons (tying an Ontario Junior C Record), defeating the Grimsby Peach Kings in 2005 but losing to the Penetang Kings in 2006 and 2007. In 2008 they faced the offensive powerhouse Alliston Hornets and were defeated in a memorable game 7 overtime loss in Essex. The 2008–2009 season saw the 73's finish with a remarkable 59 wins, 1 overtime loss, 1 regulation loss, and 1 shoot-out loss (including play-offs). The team finished with 31 wins and 0 losses at home in their final season in the historic Essex Memorial Arena. The 73's returned to the finals in 2009 to face Alliston for the second straight year and the 73's fifth consecutive Clarence Schmalz Cup Finals appearance. Essex overwhelmed Alliston on their way to a four-game sweep to win the provincial title. In nine seasons under Piroski the 73's won 7 Great Lakes League Championships and claimed the Clarence Schmalz Cup 3 times as All-Ontario Champions.[3]

The 73's re-hired Les Garrod to the team in the 2010–11 season; the team would finish 2nd place to the Belle River Canadiens and go out in the first round to the Wheatley Sharks in 7 games. It would be the first time in 15 years (1996–97) that the team did not make it out of the First round. Garrod and staff would not be back the following year.[3]

The 73's brought aboard former Windsor Spitfire Scott Miller for the 2011 season as the club's general manager and hired former Lasalle Vipers assistant Gil Langois as head coach. This tandem delivered four consecutive Great Lakes League Championships and three Clarence Schmalz Cup Finals appearances, including one OHA Junior C Championship. In 2013 the 73's swept both Ayr and the familiar Niagara champion Grimsby before losing in the CSC finals 4 games to 1 to the Picton Pirates.[4] 2014 featured a more difficult road to the CSC finals with a high-scoring 7-game quarterfinal against Dorchester along with a 5-game semifinal victory over the Western League champion Wingham Ironmen before the 73's were swept in the Schmalz Cup finals by the Lakefield Chiefs.[5] In 2015 the 73's defeated Exeter in four games and Ayr in five qualifying for their third straight CSC appearance. In three closely contested games versus the Empire B champion Port Hope Panthers, the 73's built up a 3–0 series lead, but the Panthers stormed back, winning the next three games, setting up a winner-take-all game 7 in Port Hope. A lone second-period goal was the difference between the teams as the 73's clinched their seventh CSC All-Ontario Championship and first since 2009.[6]

In the summer of 2016 the eight junior "C" leagues amalgamated under the Provincial, and the GLJHL became the Bill Stobbs Division of the new league. During the 2016-17 season, the 73's won their first Stobbs Division title[7] but fell to the Ayr Centennials in the PJHL semi-final.[8]

In 2017-2018, the Essex 73's streak of 6 straight League Championships came to an end as the Lakeshore Canadiens defeated the 73's in 5 games in the Stobbs Division Finals. The Canadiens were coached by former 73's player and coach Anthony Iaquinta.[9]

2018-2019 saw Gil Langlois return as Head Coach of the 73's and guided the 73's to a First Place finish. The 73's would sweep their first 2 rounds against the Petrolia Flyers and Amherstburg Admirals setting up a rematch against the Lakeshore Canadiens in the division Finals. The Canadiens would repeat as Stobbs Champions knocking off the 73's in 5 games.[10]

In 2019 Gil Langlois retired, and was replaced as coach by former Sarnia Sting player Danny Anger.[11]

Season-by-season results

SeasonGPWLTOTLGFGAPResultsPlayoffs
1973-74443464-357160721st GLJHLWon Semi-final, 4-1 (Lakers)
Lost League Final, 0-4 (Flyers)
1974-75423381-292155671st GLJHLWon Semi-final, 4-0 (Flags)
Won League, 4-0 (Leamington)
Won CSC SF, 4-3 (Hahns)
Won CSC Final, 4-3 (Muskies)
1975-76423093-297159631st GLJHLWon Semi-final, 4-1 (Lakers)
Won League, 4-3 (Kings)
Won CSC SF, 4-2 (Mustangs)
Lost CSC Final, 2-4 (Terriers)
1976-774227114-236164581st GLJHLWon Semi-final, 4-3 (Blades)
Won League, 4-3 (Kings)
Won CSC SF, 4-0 (Cyclones)
Won CSC Final, 4-2 (Eagles)
1977-78423921-377105791st GLJHLWon Semi-final, 3-0 (Lakers)
Won League, 4-1 (Kings)
Won CSC QF, 4-1 (Cyclones)
Won CSC SF, 4-0 (Sabres)
Won CSC Final, 4-1 (Eagles)
1978-794025132-291222522nd GLJHLLost Semi-final, 1-3 (Flyers)
1979-804225134-280215542nd GLJHLWon Semi-final, 4-1 (Lakers)
Lost Final, 2-4 (Flyers)
1980-81423273-325165671st GLJHLWon Semi-final, 4-1 (Vikings)
Won League, 4-3 (Flyers)
Won CSC QF, 4-1 (Ironmen)
Won CSC SF, 4-3 (Navy-Vets)
Lost CSC Final, 2-4 (Eagles)
1981-823923133-241177493rd GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 3-0 (Canadiens)
Won Semi-final, 4-3 (Flags)
Lost Final, 1-4 (Flyers)
1982-834019174-244232424th GLJHLLost Quarter-final, 2-3 (Canadiens)
1983-843914205-221204336th GLJHLLost Quarter-final, 2-3 (Flyers)
1984-854026113-254161552nd GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 3-0 (Lakers)
Won Semi-final, 4-0 (Kings)
Lost Final, 1-4 (Canadiens)
1985-86402596-229144561st GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 3-1 (Blades)
Won Semi-final, 4-1 (Flyers)
Won League, 4-3 (Flags)
Won CSC QF, 4-2 (Barons)
Lost CSC SF, 2-4 (Merchants)
1986-8738261110236163532nd GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 4-0 (Vikings)
Won Semi-final, 4-3 (Flyers)
Won League, 4-2 (Kings)
Lost CSC QF, 2-4 (Blades)
1987-8839181542210167426th GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 4-1 (Canadiens)
Lost Semi-final, 1-4 (Flyers)
1988-8938191522210184447th GLJHLLost South Semi-final, 0-4 (Flyers)
1989-9040930101292601910th GLJHLDid not qualify
1990-9142191922190195426th GLJHLLost South Semi-final, 1-4 (Vikings)
1991-9241221531203169484th GLJHLWon South SF, 4-1 (Vikings)
Lost South Final, 0-4 (Canadiens)
1992-9340142411166224309th GLJHLDid not qualify
1993-9440162220206232348th GLJHLDid not qualify
1994-95411026321332042510th GLJHLDid not qualify
1995-9641161870150145398th GLJHLDid not qualify
1996-9740201622161162446th GLJHLLost Quarter-final, 0-4 (Comets)
1997-9845271260210132603rd GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 4-3 (Comets)
Won Semi-final, 4-0 (Sharks)
Won League, 4-1 (Lakers)
Lost CSC SF, 2-4 (Bulldogs)
1998-993931710213122633rd GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 4-0 (Blades)
Lost Semi-final, 2-4 (Lakers)
1999-0039171624139153405th GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 4-2 (Flags)
Lost Semi-final, 0-4 (Canadiens)
2000-0140221260153143504th GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 4-3 (Flags)
Lost Semi-final, 2-4 (Canadiens)
2001-02403080215997621st GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 4-0 (Kings)
Won Semi-final, 4-1 (Flags)
Won League, 4-1 (Sharks)
Won CSC SF, 4-0 (Navy-Vets)
Won CSC Final, 4-3 (Bruins)
2002-03403343016191691st GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 4-3 (Flags)
Won Semi-final, 4-2 (Comets)
Won League, 4-0 (Sharks)
Lost CSC SF, 2-4 (Peach Kings)
2003-04403334015277701st GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 4-0 (Blades)
Won Semi-final, 4-1 (Sharks)
Lost Final, 2-4 (Kings)
2004-05403251220681671st GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 4-0 (Blades)
Won Semi-final, 4-3 (Sharks)
Won League, 4-1 (Kings)
Won CSC SF, 4-0 (Ironmen)
Won CSC Final, 4-3 (Peach Kings)
2005-064025113116099544th GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 4-0 (Canadiens)
Won Semi-final, 4-0 (Kings)
Won League, 4-2 (Sharks)
Won CSC SF, 4-0 (Storm)
Lost CSC Final, 1-4 (Kings)
2006-07403242218290681st GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 4-0 (Flags)
Won Semi-final, 4-1 (Lakers)
Won League, 4-1 (Canadiens)
Won CSC SF, 4-0 (Peach Kings)
Lost CSC Final, 1-4 (Kings)
2007-08403332221691701st GLJHLWon South SF, 4-1 (Sharks)
Won SOuth Final, 4-1 (Canadiens)
Won League, 4-0 (Lakers)
Won CSC SF, 4-1 (Peach Kings)
Lost CSC Final, 3-4 (Hornets)
2008-0940390-120273791st GLJHLWon South SF, 4-0 (Comets)
Won South Final, 4-1 (Canadiens)
Won League, 4-0 (Kings)
Won CSC SF, 4-1 (Merchants)
Won CSC Final, 4-0 (Hornets)
2009-1040299-2187101602nd GLJHLWon South SF, 4-1 (Sharks)
Lost South Final, 2-4 (Canadiens)
2010-11392612-1167120533rd GLJHLLost South SF, 3-4 (Sharks)
2011-1240336-1185124671st GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 4-0 (Comets)
Won Semi-final, 4-2 (Kings)
Won League, 4-1 (Canadiens)
Lost CSC SF, 1-4 (Peach Kings)
2012-1340326-220589661st GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 4-0 (Comets)
Won Semi-final, 4-0 (Kings)
Won League, 4-0 (Sharks)
Won CSC QF, 4-0 (Centennials)
Won CSC SF, 4-1 (Peach Kings)
Lost CSC Final, 1-4 (Pirates)
2013-1440343-321295711st GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 4-0 (Kings)
Won Semi-final, 4-0 (Sharks)
Won League, 4-2 (Canadiens)
Won CSC QF, 4-3 (Dolphins)
Won CSC SF, 4-1 (Ironmen)
Lost CSC Final, 0-4 (Chiefs)
2014-1540335-219385681st GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 4-0 (Flags)
Won Semi-final, 4-0 (Kings)
Won League, 4-2 (Admirals)
Won CSC QF, 4-0 (Hawks)
Won CSC SF, 4-1 (Centennials)
Won CSC Final, 4-3 (Panthers)
2015-16403431221674711st GLJHLWon Quarter-final, 4-0 (Flyers)
Won Semi-final, 4-0 (Flags)
Won League, 4-3 (Admirals)
Won CSC QF, 4-0 (Dolphins)
Lost CSC SF, 4-0 (Centennials)
2016-17403091-17996612nd StobbsWon Div. QF, 4-1 (Flags)
Won Div. SF, 4-0 (Admirals)
Won Division, 4-0 (Canadiens)
Won Conference, 4-1 (Dolphins)
Lost Semi-final, 3-4 (Centennials)
2017-184026110315782553rd StobbsWon Div. QF, 4-0 (Flyers)
Won Div. SF, 4-2 (Kings)
Lost Div. Final, 1-4 (Canadiens)
2018-19402961416586631st StobbsWon Div. QF, 4-0 (Flyers)
Won Div. SF, 4-0 (Admirals)
Lost Div. Final, 1-4 (Canadiens)
2019-204023151113794484th StobbsWon Div. QF, 4-2 (Sharks)
Lost Div. SF, 1-4 (Canadiens)

Clarence Schmalz Cup appearances

1975: Essex 73's defeated Lindsay Muskies 4-games-to-3
1976: Dunnville Terriers defeated Essex 73's 4-games-to-2
1977: Essex 73's defeated Bowmanville Eagles 4-games-to-2
1978: Essex 73's defeated Bowmanville Eagles 4-games-to-1
1981: Bowmanville Eagles defeated Essex 73's 4-games-to-2
2002: Essex 73's defeated Uxbridge Bruins 4-games-to-3
2005: Essex 73's defeated Grimsby Peach Kings 4-games-to-3
2006: Penetang Kings defeated Essex 73's 4-games-to-1
2007: Penetang Kings defeated Essex 73's 4-games-to-1
2008: Alliston Hornets defeated Essex 73's 4-games-to-3
2009: Essex 73's defeated Alliston Hornets 4-games-to-none
2013: Picton Pirates defeated Essex 73's 4-games-to-1
2014: Lakefield Chiefs defeated Essex 73's 4-games-to-none
2015: Essex 73's defeated Port Hope Panthers 4-games-to-3

General managers

List of general managers:[3]

Coaches

List of coaches:[3]

Notable alumni

References

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