An Interview with AJ Williams: A Lynx at Heart and a Top Draft Elligible Prospect

[Juice 641]

"My stay in Ottawa is something I will never forget." - AJ Williams

The off-season brings both pain and joy. For those that make the playoffs, it's both joyful and adrenaline filling to play the best hockey of their life for the chance at a cup. And for those that miss the playoffs, it can be a painstakingly long period of waiting for the playoffs to end and waiting patiently for the draft to start and the new season to begin.

 

However, for those that play their cards right, they can walk out of the draft after a disappointing season and come away with a player that can change the shape of their franchise. A top prospect that fulfills their development and true potential, and eventually becomes a staple of the team's identity.

 

With the interview we've had setup for today, I would say that we'll be talking with a player of that caliber. AJ Williams (@ajwllmsn), an Ottawa Lynx Right Wing, is a fast skating high scoring forward, and in a short time made a big name for himself as one of the top Lynx players with 56 points in 72 games, and enough to slowly and surely rise up to become a top 10 player in the upcoming VHL draft.

 

Without further ado, let's hop right into the interview we held with this on the rise prospect!

 

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Heyo AJ, thanks for taking the time to sit down with me for an interview, as I know as a top prospect I'm sure you're a busy fella! I have a few questions for you that I hope you can take the time to answer, as I'm sure the VHL world would love to get to know more about you both on and off the ice before the upcoming drafts!

 

Thank you for having me! I am very excited for this draft and to finally experience what the VHL has to offer.

 

It's my absolute pleasure, it's not often you get to have a chat with an emerging star in the scene. Talking about experiencing the VHL, what are you doing leading up to the draft now that Ottawa unfortunately got knocked out of making the VHLM playoffs?

 

My off-season just started but it has not really been an off-season like normal years. Usually I would take time off and enjoy myself, spend time with my family. But this year with the draft coming up I have been on the ice and in the gym 24/7. I'm extremely excited for the draft and want to make sure I am in top condition when it comes.

 

It sounds like you're taking this big opportunity very seriously! I seen that you even put out a statement that you're committed to making the VHL by the start of next season! In that case if you do make it to the big leagues, how would you summarize your stay in Ottawa? Do you have any words about your teammates and about the Lynx overall?

 

My stay in Ottawa is something I will never forget. Even if we were not a top team in the league, that was some of the most competitive hockey I have ever played and I feel like I grew so much as a player in just one season. Coming into the league there were so many better players than myself, but now I feel as if I can compete with anyone. For my teammates, amazing group of guys. The locker room was always a place that felt like home lead by our captain Bogdan Trunov. The guys were always there for each other and I made a lot of good relationships with those men. The Lynx will always have a place in my heart and I do have to give credit to our GM for picking me up and helping me develop into who I am today.

 

GM Dakota Lamb (@dlamb) knows talent when he sees it, and I'm sure he's more than happy to have had and helped develop what is now seen on most draft boards is a top 3 picking going into the VHLM draft (although your intentions are now known for the VHL), as well as a top 10 pick going into the VHL draft! I think Ottawa will be something you back fondly on and somewhere you can proudly call your first home, and you've been one of the brightest spots of the Season 78 Lynx. With that being said though, a new home is on the horizon with your name going to be spoken relatively soon into the upcoming draft. Is there any particular team you've had your eye on, or even has reached out to your personally yet?

 

The Seattle Bears are the only team who have reached out to me so far. As of right now they are my favourite for that reason. It also helps their case that they have won 5 Continental Cups in the last 10 seasons and are lead by the most winningest GM in VHL history. If I end up on Seattle I would not be mad at all. But I also really do not mind any team I go to, I plan to work hard and play my heart out for any organization that drafts me.

 

Ah, the first team that reaches is always the one that gets my respect, but the draft is a whole other beast that you never know what can happen. I'm excited to see where you end up, as your draft day is going to be one you won't forget! I won't take up much more of your time, but I wanted to ask you one final question. If you could explain to a VHL GM who you are, and your overall goals for your career in a few short sentences, what would that be?

 

I would say that I am hard working, a leader, and loyal player. My plan going into the league isn’t to hop around each super team to win a cup, I want to be a leader and a role model on my team. I want to be someone my teammates can look up to and go to when they need someone. My goals though would definitely be to win a Continental Cup, that’s every kid’s dream I would think.

 

Phenomenally said, and something that I think a lot of GM's will take a personal liking to knowing that you're a loyal guy through and through. We'll be keeping a close eye on you, and I wish you the best of luck in the draft!

 

Thank you very much! Was a pleasure.

 

=================================================

 

While drafts are as chaotic as can be, as you can never tell who will be chosen where, what trades will go down, and if the player you eventually pick will pan out. However, walking out of this interview has me rooting for AJ to live up to his goal of being both a top pick and a top player in the league eventually, and although he's new on the scene, I know the GM that will eventually take the shot on him will not be disappointed for this high scoring winger. Here is hoping the best for this exciting rookie, and his eventual career in the VHL!

 

(1213 words, claiming for 6/27 and 7/4)

[qripll 438]

Great interview with such a nice person. It brings me back to those days when I was draft eligible and wanted to be more and more attractive from the VHL GMs point of view. It would be great to see another interview with a "black horse" of this draft class. 10/10.

[qripll 438]

Good luck @ajwllmsn. No doubt you will be picked really high

[AJW 1,894]

1 hour ago, Juice said:

"My stay in Ottawa is something I will never forget." - AJ Williams

The off-season brings both pain and joy. For those that make the playoffs, it's both joyful and adrenaline filling to play the best hockey of their life for the chance at a cup. And for those that miss the playoffs, it can be a painstakingly long period of waiting for the playoffs to end and waiting patiently for the draft to start and the new season to begin.

 

However, for those that play their cards right, they can walk out of the draft after a disappointing season and come away with a player that can change the shape of their franchise. A top prospect that fulfills their development and true potential, and eventually becomes a staple of the team's identity.

 

With the interview we've had setup for today, I would say that we'll be talking with a player of that caliber. AJ Williams (@ajwllmsn), an Ottawa Lynx Right Wing, is a fast skating high scoring forward, and in a short time made a big name for himself as one of the top Lynx players with 56 points in 72 games, and enough to slowly and surely rise up to become a top 10 player in the upcoming VHL draft.

 

Without further ado, let's hop right into the interview we held with this on the rise prospect!

 

=================================================

 

Heyo AJ, thanks for taking the time to sit down with me for an interview, as I know as a top prospect I'm sure you're a busy fella! I have a few questions for you that I hope you can take the time to answer, as I'm sure the VHL world would love to get to know more about you both on and off the ice before the upcoming drafts!

 

Thank you for having me! I am very excited for this draft and to finally experience what the VHL has to offer.

 

It's my absolute pleasure, it's not often you get to have a chat with an emerging star in the scene. Talking about experiencing the VHL, what are you doing leading up to the draft now that Ottawa unfortunately got knocked out of making the VHLM playoffs?

 

My off-season just started but it has not really been an off-season like normal years. Usually I would take time off and enjoy myself, spend time with my family. But this year with the draft coming up I have been on the ice and in the gym 24/7. I'm extremely excited for the draft and want to make sure I am in top condition when it comes.

 

It sounds like you're taking this big opportunity very seriously! I seen that you even put out a statement that you're committed to making the VHL by the start of next season! In that case if you do make it to the big leagues, how would you summarize your stay in Ottawa? Do you have any words about your teammates and about the Lynx overall?

 

My stay in Ottawa is something I will never forget. Even if we were not a top team in the league, that was some of the most competitive hockey I have ever played and I feel like I grew so much as a player in just one season. Coming into the league there were so many better players than myself, but now I feel as if I can compete with anyone. For my teammates, amazing group of guys. The locker room was always a place that felt like home lead by our captain Bogdan Trunov. The guys were always there for each other and I made a lot of good relationships with those men. The Lynx will always have a place in my heart and I do have to give credit to our GM for picking me up and helping me develop into who I am today.

 

GM Dakota Lamb (@dlamb) knows talent when he sees it, and I'm sure he's more than happy to have had and helped develop what is now seen on most draft boards is a top 3 picking going into the VHLM draft (although your intentions are now known for the VHL), as well as a top 10 pick going into the VHL draft! I think Ottawa will be something you back fondly on and somewhere you can proudly call your first home, and you've been one of the brightest spots of the Season 78 Lynx. With that being said though, a new home is on the horizon with your name going to be spoken relatively soon into the upcoming draft. Is there any particular team you've had your eye on, or even has reached out to your personally yet?

 

The Seattle Bears are the only team who have reached out to me so far. As of right now they are my favourite for that reason. It also helps their case that they have won 5 Continental Cups in the last 10 seasons and are lead by the most winningest GM in VHL history. If I end up on Seattle I would not be mad at all. But I also really do not mind any team I go to, I plan to work hard and play my heart out for any organization that drafts me.

 

Ah, the first team that reaches is always the one that gets my respect, but the draft is a whole other beast that you never know what can happen. I'm excited to see where you end up, as your draft day is going to be one you won't forget! I won't take up much more of your time, but I wanted to ask you one final question. If you could explain to a VHL GM who you are, and your overall goals for your career in a few short sentences, what would that be?

 

I would say that I am hard working, a leader, and loyal player. My plan going into the league isn’t to hop around each super team to win a cup, I want to be a leader and a role model on my team. I want to be someone my teammates can look up to and go to when they need someone. My goals though would definitely be to win a Continental Cup, that’s every kid’s dream I would think.

 

Phenomenally said, and something that I think a lot of GM's will take a personal liking to knowing that you're a loyal guy through and through. We'll be keeping a close eye on you, and I wish you the best of luck in the draft!

 

Thank you very much! Was a pleasure.

 

=================================================

 

While drafts are as chaotic as can be, as you can never tell who will be chosen where, what trades will go down, and if the player you eventually pick will pan out. However, walking out of this interview has me rooting for AJ to live up to his goal of being both a top pick and a top player in the league eventually, and although he's new on the scene, I know the GM that will eventually take the shot on him will not be disappointed for this high scoring winger. Here is hoping the best for this exciting rookie, and his eventual career in the VHL!

 

(1213 words, claiming for 6/27 and 7/4)

 

This is amazing Juice, thanks for taking the time to interview me!

[Juice 641]

Last claim, claiming for week ending in 7/4