Leafs management work magic during Christmas break, ink forward Dylan Williamson to roster
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Nelson Junior B Hockey Club management worked some magic during the Christmas Holiday break as staff convinced former Leaf star Dylan Williamson to return to the Green and White for the remainder of the 2017-18 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season.
Williamson, who played for the Leafs as a rookie during the 2015 season, decided to complete the hockey season in Nelson after playing one game following a trade to North Battleford of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
Williamson, 19, had been playing for his hometown Calgary Canucks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
“After discussions with us (Dylan said) that he would rather return to Nelson and finish the season with the Leafs,” said Lance Morey, GM for the Nelson Leafs.
The 6’2”, 185-pound winger started last season in the Western Hockey League with Prince Albert Raiders before returning to his roots to play Junior A with Calgary.
In 37 games with the Canucks, Williamson scored 11 goals while adding 13 assists for 24 points.
This year, with the AJHL team, Williamson had 12 goals and nine assists in 26 games. Calgary currently sits sixth in AJHL standings with a 16-19-1 record.
However, in early December, the Calgary native was dealt to Battlefords North Stars where he played one game.
“He will be in Nelson (Wednesday) and we hope to have him carded and in our lineup by the 29th in Beaver Valley,” said Morey.
Williams is no stranger to Leaf fans having played for Nelson in the 2014-15 season.
He played 18 games for the Leafs during an injury-riddled season scoring nine goals and 13 assists.
In five playoff games, Williamson registered two points, including scoring a goal as Nelson was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Beaver Valley Nitehawks.
Ironically, the Hawks should be Williamson’s first team on the schedule with the Leafs visit Fruitvale Friday.
The teams return to Nelson Sunday for the annual New Year’s Day clash at 2 p.m. in the NDCC Arena.
