By Gary Rennie
Time for LaSalle Vipers’ fans to say farewell to Brett Vorshuk.
It’s been a long run from Tim Bits Hockey at age six to LaSalle Vipers’ captain at 20.
A run that almost ended early. “I hated it at first,” recalls Vorshuk of his first few skates on a backyard rink at his aunt’s home. “I couldn’t stand up.”
But he stuck with it and soon “I always had a stick in my hand.”
Too many good hockey memories from many good teams over the years to pick any particular one out, he says. “All of them kind of blend together.”
The second-year business student at the University of Windsor is pondering a shot next at the Lancer men’s hockey team, but no decision.
Vorshuk was named captain of the LaSalle Vipers for the 2018-19 season, and is the only player graduating due to age from the current roster.
He played all or parts of four seasons in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, the first two with the Leamington Flyers and last two seasons with LaSalle. His longest playoff run in Jr. B came with Leamington, losing in the finals against London.
A native of Belle River, his initial year with the Flyers was split with the Essex 73’s Junior C team.
He missed about half of his first season with the Vipers rehabbing from a deep cut to his left forearm after a fall in practice and teammate Max Sieberer’s skate sliced over his arm.
Missing 24 games, Vorshuk returned to score 36 points in 26 regular season games.
He was the Vipers’ top scorer over two rounds of playoffs this season with 10 points, followed by defence man Dylan Robinson with nine.
To put his story into pictures, Brett supplied some photos from his early years in hockey and we have dozens of photos from his last two seasons with the Vipers. And we have a photo of his biggest fan, mom Kristine, taken by trainer Randy Levac. (All these photos are posted in a Facebook album now up. Follow the link to the Vipers’ Facebook page.)
We have a video clip of his last locker room speech as a Jr. B captain following the game 5 loss to the London Nationals, and a video clip of teammates’ Stefan Dobrich, Cody Schneider and Aaron Shaw with farewell messages, both on Facebook.
Since he’s known for his sense of humour, we’ve also looked for some of the never-before-seen goofier moments off the ice involving Brett. Found a few.
So long, Brett.
