By Mitch Bach

Leader of the pack; Williams setting bar high after golden debut for Team Canada

Aug 15, 2018 | 4:51 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Just a few days after helping Team Canada strike gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Josh Williams says he’s ready to hit his sophomore WHL campaign in full stride.

“I thought I played pretty well (at the tournament),” said the Medicine Hat Tigers forward, on a phone call from his home in Langley, B.C. “My shot was there, I was hitting my spots which is really big for me. When I’m scoring I feel more confident and I play better.”

The 17-year-old right-winger generated more offence as the tournament progressed. He was held off the score-sheet in Canada’s first test against Switzerland — a 10-0 bludgeoning at Rogers Place in Edmonton on August 6.

Canada’s second meeting of the tourney spelled a much different story for Williams, tickling the twine with his first international tally of his career, and adding a helper in a 4-2 win over the Slovaks. 

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“I think after my first goal against Slovakia, I started to play a little bit better,” said the Tigers first round, fifth overall pick from the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft. “I got a little more confident with myself and realized I could play with these guys.”

His confidence continued to bustle as the event progressed, leading to a team-high five goals for an undefeated, golden Canadian club. His shining moment came in the semi-finals against Team USA, when Williams scored a pair of markers, including the overtime winner to guarantee his country a medal.

“It was probably the biggest goal I’ve scored in my life, I would say,” he added assertively.

Plenty more of those memorable moments are sure to come in the future. Williams is setting the bar higher as his second season in orange and black looms. 

Part of that reason has to do with his health. After enduring a broken collar bone, coincidentally the day before the World U17 Hockey Challenge began last November, he says it took a while for him to readjust to the intensity of the WHL and feel comfortable.

“I think I lost a lot of confidence after I got injured. I was a little bit out of shape and couldn’t really keep up,” he admitted. “I think the big thing for me this year for keeping my confidence is staying healthy, and that should help me have a good year this year.”

Tigers head coach and GM Shaun Clouston is also placing more responsibility on the 6’1″, 185 lbs workhorse, which includes adding more leadership duties.

“We do a leadership group retreat this coming-up weekend and we’ve invited him,” he said. “He’ll be one of eight players that travel with us to Fernie and spend some time with the coaching staff.”

Along with enjoying themselves in Fernie before the intensity of training camp ramps up, Clouston says the retreat will set the stage for what’s to be expected and required for each leader this season. The definition of success changes year to year to coincide with the turnover of players. 

Williams will be part of that conversation, and he says he’s excited to take on the increased responsibility.

“It’s an honour for the coaches to pick you and being able to just take on some leadership roles,” he added. “I’m going to try to embrace them and be the best leader I can be for our team.”

“We expect him to take some big steps,” noted Clouston. “We expect him to be a leader among the younger players for sure. We think he’ll be a top six guy. He’s going to play solid minutes and be a part of the powerplay, and be a big part of our success.”

Williams will enter the plucking pool for the 2019 NHL Entry Draft next summer, eligible to be chosen by one of 31 teams. After scoring 11 goals, and 20 points in an injury-shortened rookie campaign in Medicine Hat, combined with his performance at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, he’s certainly garnering attention from NHL brass.

Some credible mock-draft websites, such as DraftSite.com, even have Williams going in the first round.

If his confidence, combined with an increase in leadership, continues to grow, he may hear his name called a little earlier than expected.

“I just have to focus on every day, getting better every day,” he said. “Not taking any nights off, and preparing for every game like it’s Game 7 of the Western League final.”