Braves ready for Canadiens in PJHL semi-final series

The Lakeshore Canadiens, one of the most successful junior hockey teams in Ontario, are seen here posing with the PJHL West Conference trophy after a four-game sweep of the Mount Brydges Bulldogs. Photo courtesy of Lakeshore Canadiens

By Lee Griffi

For the first time, the Tavistock Braves will battle the Lakeshore Canadiens in a Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) semi-final series.

The winner will earn the right to battle for the league’s top prize, the Schmaltz Cup.

Not only is this the first time the two teams have battled in the postseason, but it is also the first time the Braves have made the final four.

The Clarence “Tubby” Schmalz Cup is one of the oldest and most significant trophies in Ontario junior hockey.

The trophy was first awarded in 1938 to Orangeville. It was originally the (Ontario Hockey Association) OHA Junior C championship trophy, decided through provincial playoffs. In 1982, the trophy was renamed in honour of Clarence Schmalz, a longtime OHA executive and former president who played a major role in developing junior hockey in Ontario.

Some people feel history means nothing, but Lakeshore, formerly called Belle River, is one of the most successful teams in Ontario’s junior hockey landscape.

During the Belle River years, they were a powerhouse, winning four provincial titles between 1985 and 1995. Since the PJHL’s new look in 2016, the Canadiens won the Schmaltz Cup in 2022 and 2024, and lost in the finals in 2023.

“We’re proud of our history,” said Canadiens general manager Mark Seguin. “In the ‘90s, there was a great run, and I think I’m going on year 23 with the team. We’ve always been very competitive and really strong the last 10 years. It’s been a lot of fun, a lot of hard work and the community has always supported us.”

As anyone involved in junior hockey knows, it takes a strong team not only on the ice, but off the ice, to succeed. Seguin said the Canadiens have benefited from an incredible group of people working hard to help with the on-ice product.

“It takes a commitment from a group of volunteers who work 12 months of the year getting sponsorships and the funds to help us succeed. We have an excellent relationship with our town, right from the mayor down to the guy who sweeps the floor at the arena.”

He added the team’s ownership is hands-off, allowing him to run the team the way he sees fit. Seguin added he and his coaching staff also put in long hours finding the right players.

“We work extremely hard getting the type of players we want. Our culture is important to us, more important than talent, and we work very hard to get the right type of people in here.”   

One very unique aspect of the Canadiens is the team roster – only one player is from outside of the region, something Seguin said is intentional.

“We keep it local; that’s part of my plan. For us to get someone outside of Essex County; they are going to have to be special.”

Goalie and Kitchener native Hunter Welk is in his second season with the team after toiling for a pair of seasons with the Port Dover Sailors.

“He’s been a great goaltender for us. We have had Americans and we have gone outside the area, but our focus is to work hard locally and make us the destination for the best players.”

The Canadiens will be leaning heavily on number-one goalie Boe Piroski, who is in his third full season with the team. He was a part of the 2022-2023 Leamington Flyers Sutherland Cup winning team, who defeated the Stratford Warriors in a seven-game series.

“We’re going to go with Boe, but if we need to change, we can, but he’s a big-time goalie and saves his best performances for the playoffs. He loves the big games and the pressure.”

Much of the Braves' success during their playoff run can be attributed to depth. They run four lines regularly, as do the Canadiens. Seguin admitted he hasn’t seen Tavistock play in person and while he and his staff are watching game tapes, nothing is better than seeing how two teams matchup in person.

“Watching those tapes and then playing a game; it’s not the same thing. We are looking for tendencies in the tapes but when it comes to speed and other aspects of the game, the tape doesn’t do it justice.”

Braves general manager Brent Lange said he and his staff are also watching Canadiens video to get a feel for their style of play.

“Our coaches are great at breaking down plays and having a couple of options for our players to counter with. Lakeshore is a very strong team with a very successful program over the years, but we will be ready to continue playing Braves hockey and do our best to make this memorable season continue.”

Lange said this is an exciting time for the team and added they aren’t satisfied.

“We're hungry and still want more, and want to keep providing the fans, sponsors and community with entertaining hockey to come watch. We can't thank our fans and sponsors enough for everything and all the support this year and in years past. It is very much appreciated.”

Lange, along with the entire coaching staff, are in their second season together and explained last year’s seventh-place finish was all the motivation they needed to do better.

“We got to this place by doing our homework with everything we learned last year as a rookie staff. Zac (Berg), I, the staff and hockey operations team all broke it down at the end of last year. We promised ourselves this year would be much different, and for the future down the road from here on out. We have also brought in and had some pretty good players fall into our lap who want to be here.”