A banner will be raised and rings will be handed out in Essex tonight as the 73's celebrate last season's Schmalz Cup victory.
The team hosts the Lakeshore Canadiens, as the Junior C hockey season kicks off tonight.
Essex Head Coach Gil Langlois says there are about 15 returning players in the 73's line-up.
"The nucleus of last year's team is back," he explains. "We've got two new goalies. We made most of the changes on defence because we've lost some players to graduation, and some have moved up a level or moved away."
Although Langlois admits it could take a number of games for his young defence to settle in, he believes the services of former Junior B goalie Trevor Wheaton will help greatly.
Tonight's ceremonies at the Essex Centre Sports Complex begin at 7pm, followed by the game.
