Essex juniors via BioSteel


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June 25, 2025
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Area products Ethan O’Neil and Tomas Kniaziew will be staying within Essex County to continue their hockey development paths — and again as teammates — come the ’25-26 season.

A 5 foot 10, 160 pound forward with a 2008 birth date, O’Neil, who is from Maidstone has signed with the Essex 73’s of the Provincial Jr. C Hockey League.

O’Neil (photo at left) spent the ’24-25 season with the Windsor based BioSteel Sports Academy and was a point per game player. In 63 games for BioSteel, O’Neill had 25 goals, 42 assists, 67 points.

Meanwhile, Kniaziew, a 2008 birth year goalie, has also signed with Essex ahead of the ’25-26 season.

Hailing from Leamington, the 6 foot, 165 pound Kniaziew tended the twine in 31 games for BioSteel during the ’24-25 season. His statistics included a record of 18-11-2 with a 2,77 goals against average.

PIROSKI BACK IN ESSEX

71-year old Tony Piroski will be returning as head coach of the aforementioned Essex 73’s for the ’25-26 season. The 73s are coming off a ’24-25 season in the PJHL where they won both the Stobbs Division and Western Conference championships before finishing a lengthy playoff run as Schmalz Cup finalists.