AJ Williams Rookie Experience

[AJW 1,744]

RW - (S79) AJ Williams

 

THE TIME HAS FINALLY COME!!! AJ Williams enters the VHL finally after two full seasons spent in the VHLM. After being drafted to the Los Angeles Stars at fifth overall in S79, Williams decided he was not quite ready for the big leagues. Williams had yet been drafted to a VHLM team yet and wanted to spend another season in the minors to train and be ready for his VHL career. Williams was then selected first overall to the Mississauga Hounds where he would play his full 72 game season and end up playing for a Founder's Cup. Unfortunately the Hounds could not pull through and lost to Miami is 5 games, but nonetheless, Williams put on a playoff show. Leading his team and the league in points - Sits now in the top 10 all time for points in VHLM playoffs. Also sits at number one for shorthanded goals all time in VHLM playoffs. Williams also participated in the most recent WJC tournament with Canada, getting his feet wet in greater competition to be ready for the VHL. He actually showed out, 3 goals and 5 points in 8 games. All three of those goals being game winners.

 

The VHL

 

Williams will play his S80 with the Los Angeles Stars. Williams is the highest TPA ranked rookie going into the season just above former Mississauga teammates, Sigard Petrenko, Vinny Detroit and Corey Kitson, and former S78 Ottawa Lynx teammate, Matty Fire. Williams had some positive thoughts towards Fire in an interview, "It's great to see Matty in the league, I knew he'd make it the second I started playing with him. It's no shock that Matty went second overall this past draft and hopefully we can have some fun competition between us this season for that Stolzschweiger Trophy. Best of luck in Toronto." Williams stated his goal, with an extra season in the VHLM, is to be top rookie of S80. With a smaller rookie class and Williams' skill this season, this goal isn't a crazy one.

 

Williams also has expectations to bring Los Angeles a Continental Cup sometime in his career. He is loving sunny California and plans to make it his home for his whole career, eventually and hopefully becoming the face of the Stars. Williams plays with big names like Merrick, Pines, and Dimmadome, so it is easy to see with a team like that why he would like to get comfy in Los Angeles.