It's in the blood: Piroski returns to 73's

For three weeks, Tony Piroski was no longer the head coach of the Essex 73's. He stepped down shortly after the team lost in the Schmalz Cup final to Hanover.

“It was a definite no,” Piroski said about the possibility of returning. Speaking to Powerplay Sports on May 10th, he expressed disappointment that the team couldn’t finish the season on a high note for the fans. He was also pleased to hear that general manager Mike Pailey had already begun searching for his replacement.

Tony Piroski ends second go-round with 73's

The Spark That Started The Return

Fast forward to two days before the team’s year-end banquet. Piroski hadn’t spoken to Pailey in three weeks, but called to confirm the banquet time. During that call, Pailey mentioned that while player recruitment was going well, the search for a new coach wasn’t going quite as smoothly.

Hoping there might be a sliver of opportunity, Piroski recalled how the conversation shifted.

He recalls Pailey saying, ‘You got a chance to talk?’ And that’s how it all started. I was definitely a no for three weeks,” Piroski added with a laugh

📅 Behind the Bench

• Piroski returns: Originally on the bench from 2001 to 2010, Piroski led the 73’s to seven league titles and three provincial crowns.

The search for a coach will continue with Piroski is hoping his replacement can be part of the team next season. "I need my replacement in-house this year so I can walk away and they can just take over. That would make it simpler for me."

The 73's won the Stobbs Division title this spring and made it to the Schmalz Cup final where they lost 4-0 to the Hanover Barons.

Piroski says it wasn't planned but the 71-year old is happy to return behing the bench for one last season. "It's nice to be wanted at my age and it's nice to have something to do."