OHL Mourns the Loss of Lance Galbraith

The Ontario Hockey League is mourning the sudden loss of Ottawa 67’s alumnus and former Memorial Cup champion Lance Galbraith who passed away on Friday at the age of 42.

A larger than life competitor who was a fan favourite in Ottawa over the course of his five seasons, Galbraith was involved in a single-vehicle crash on a rural road in Niagara-on-the-Lake, just 200 metres from the lane to the property he lived on, a property belonging to former 67 and best friend Zenon Konopka, his wife and four children.

Originally a third round pick of the 67’s in 1996, Galbraith went on to record 209 points (85-124–209) and a franchise record 960 penalty minutes over 297 regular season games. He hoisted the Memorial Cup with the 67’s in 1999, and guided the team to an OHL championship in 2001, leading the playoffs in scoring with 28 points.

“Lance came to the rink every day at 5 ready to play,” 67’s coaching legend Brian Kilrea told the Ottawa Sun’s Don Campbell. “And when the game was over, he was still ready to go. I think he could have played two games. And it took him another five hours to wind down.”

Galbraith went on to play 10 seasons of pro hockey across the United States, becoming a fan favourite in several different cities. He helped the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads win Kelly Cup titles in 2004 and 2007, emerging as a key contributor on both of those teams.

“He might have been one of the most successful 67’s in history for what he did for the franchise,” said former owner Jeff Hunt. “He would give you the shirt off his back or his final dollar. I think he might have been the most popular, certainly in my 22-year association.”

For more on the life and career of Lance Galbraith, visit the Ottawa Sun.

The Ottawa 67’s and OSEG are devastated to learn of the death of former player Lance Galbraith at the age of 42.

Galbraith starred for the Barber Poles for five seasons and helped lead the 67’s to both the Memorial Cup championship in ‘99 and the J. Ross Robertson Cup in 2001. pic.twitter.com/mAMnSf88Uk

— X – Ottawa 67’s (@Ottawa67sHockey) April 15, 2022