Ronan Lavelle Biography - The Irish Sniper

[Arce 755]

 

Ronan Lavelle was born in Dublin, Ireland. He was the son of Patrick and Bridget Lavelle. He grew up in a city where like just about everywhere in Europe, soccer was the big deal. Ronan was enrolled, and played soccer for the first 5 years of his life. His father, Patrick Lavelle, played professional soccer for the Shamrock Rovers. Patrick Lavelle had Ronan, and his brother Conor Lavelle heavily involved in soccer, as he was himself.  Lavelle's dad at the time owned a pub in the city, so Ronan was working in the pub for some side cash and to help the family business. Growing up running around the Lavelle Pub, all of the usual customer's kids naturally grew close with Lavelle. The dad's would come in for a few pints, and let the kids run around. During the soccer offseason, Lavelle was playing what he loved and that was hockey. He got all of his friends to play some pond hockey after making a custom rink in his backyard. Lavelle made his own rink in his backyard with some wood his father had behind their barn and made his own ice. Granted, the ice wasn't in the best shape but for a teenager making an outdoor rink, it did the trick for Lavelle to practice day in and day out. It was clear Lavelle was much better than his friends, as he would skate circles around them. After his father saw his passion for the game, he decided to let Ronan quit soccer and focus his full attention on his hockey ambitions. Lavelle found himself in the Irish Ice Hockey Association, and he quickly grew beyond it. Lavelle became the all time leading goal scorer in the IIHA with his lethal wrist shot. It was Ronan's dad's dream to have one of his son's follow his footsteps in the professional soccer limelight, or at the least one of them to take over his pub when the time came. Once Patrick saw that was not a possibility with Ronan, he knew he needed to get him in a league that was more competitive, and one that would get his son noticed.

 

 

This led Patrick and Bridget to looking into leagues all over Europe and North America to see what made the most sense for Ronan, and their family. Patrick also saw this as a chance for a new business opportunity. One of the European league's made the most sense, since Lavelle's name was known for his soccer career. You can imagine the family's surprise when the family chose to go overseas to Canada! The family moved to Ontario, Canada where Lavelle would join the OHL (Ontario Hockey League). Ronan was drafted by the Winsor Spitfires, so Windsor is where the Lavelle family ended up buying their house in Ontario after a brief renting stent in Toronto. Lavelle's dad opened up an Irish Sports Pub in Winsor, which ended up being decked out in Spitfire, and Maple Leaf gear to bring in the local crowd. There was even some Detroit merchandise as the city was over the bridge, which turned out to be a big hit. Lavelle would still help out his family with the new pub after school and hockey. The Lavelles were thriving in Canada, and the anxiety seemed to ease. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, their fortune almost turned into disaster. It was Lavelle's final season with Windsor as he was already getting scouted by other leagues including the VHL. Ronan's dad almost lost the pub due to the lockdowns, and dining limitations. Fortunately, due to their saving the pub was able to pull through just enough. Lavelle would go on to lead the OHL in goals in his final season, and lead the Spitfires to the Memorial Cup finals where they lost in heartbreaking fashion in overtime 5-4. Lavelle had 2 goals and 2 assists in the game, producing a point on each of Windsor's goals. So what would happen next? Ronan had committed to the VHL, and his next journey was set to commence.

 

Where Ronan decided to sign shocked everyone. He was going two countries down, to the south side of North America. Ronan had agreed to sign with the Mexico City Kings. They offered him first line minutes, it was Lavelle's real chance to show the VHL scouts what he's got. This again would cause some re-location for at least half of the Lavelle family. Ronan's dad had the pub in Windsor, certainly he couldn't just pack it up and try to open shop in Mexico City, especially with this being a one season deal, right? Patrick and Ronan's brother, Conor stayed in Windsor while Ronan and his mother Bridget went to Mexico City. It was quite the culture shock to the Lavelles. All of Mexico City's traditions, and day to day was so different from what they were used to. But the goal always remained the same. Ronan made great friends with goaltender Boris Tsezar and defenseman Dabnad Shaw. Their locker room chemistry made them truly believe they could be an underdog in the S81 playoffs. Aside from almost getting busted by the Mexico City PD for going out and causing some trouble, the 3 usually were pretty tame outside the ice. Especially after having a stern talking to by GM Justin Lose. Ronan would go on to lead the team in goals with 42 and points with 83. Ronan's dad, and brother flew in to see Ronan play in the playoffs. They knew their chances of winning were low, but who could deny a locker room that genuinely believed in another? The Kings unfortunately would not make it by powerhouse Ottawa and got swept out in the first round. It would end Ronan's experience in Mexico City.

 

 

Ronan's next destination was in the United States capital! Ronan Lavelle was drafted 7th overall in the S82 VHL draft by the DC Dragons. He was also selected by the Geneva Rush in the VHLE, where Ronan would spend his S82 season. So Ronan would be venturing back to Europe to play before re-joining his family in North America. Geneva's short history had been unsuccessful but Lavelle was determiend to change that. He led the VHLE in goals with 49, and points with 101. This earned Lavelle MVP honors. With Ronan coming back to the United States, his dad had since closed his pub in Windsor, and was heading for retirement. Would Patrick open up a new pub in DC? It had been discussed by being able to relax and enjoy family sounded too good to pass up. Lavelle bought a house right outside of the city, close to his family. After a tough 40 point rookie season, Lavelle would bounce back with two consecutive 98 point seasons. In S85 it finally happened, Lavelle's ultimate VHL goal, he won a cup with the DC Dragons; their first. He also won playoff MVP honors, as he had 26 points during the big show. What is next for the young, and already successful Irish Sniper?

Edited November 29, 2022 by Arce