Submitted by Virden Oil Capitals
The Virden Oil Capitals are pleased to announce that graduating Captain, Ben Williams, has committed to play for the Red Deer College Kings hockey program this coming fall.
Williams confirmed his decision this morning after a fly-in visit to the Red Deer campus last week. “I had a good visit during my time out there (in Red Deer) and it felt like a good fit for me. I liked the size of the city and it’s not a huge campus, which I like,” stated Williams about his new destination.
The 20-year-old Souris product will head west to pursue a business degree after making his mark on the Oil Capitals young Junior ‘A’ organization. Williams is third all-time in games played for the Oil Caps with 169 and second all-time in goals scored with 46. He also sits with the third most penalty minutes in the team’s three-year existence with 215 minutes. Williams was named the Oil Caps Top Defensive Player in 2014-15 while picking up Most Valuable Player honours for the club during the regular season.
Williams had a break-out year during his final season of Junior eligibility where he piled up 53 points (28 G, 25 A) in 59 games for the Oil Caps. He also proved to have flare for the dramatic, scoring a pivotal triple overtime goal in game four of the playoffs against the Winkler Flyers, a goal that no Oil Caps’ fan will soon forget. Later in the playoffs, Williams forced overtime in game four against the Portage Terriers with a clutch goal in the final minutes while facing elimination – all while getting his teeth broke off on the play.
“I can’t say enough about what Benny meant to our team and this organization,” stated Troy Leslie, the Oil Caps Head Coach and General Manager. “He bled for this team. There isn’t a player on our team, or person in general, that doesn’t look up to this guy. Red Deer are getting a great player and even better person.”
The Oil Caps Captain and newest addition to the Kings had nothing but positive things to say about his time in Virden during a phone interview early this afternoon. “The last three years were some of the best years of my life playing in Virden. Being able to play close to home for such a great organization, I couldn’t have asked for more. I had a lot of valuable learning experiences there (in Virden) that I’m looking forward to taking with me to Red Deer.”
As excited Williams is to be moving on in his career, RDC Kings Head Coach, Trevor Keeper, is equally as excited about landing their latest recruit. “Throughout the scouting and recruiting process, RDC Kings Hockey noticed the speed and compete level of Ben. The reasons he was Captain of his Virden team quickly became evident. Ben can play in all situations, making the sacrifices necessary to be a defensive leader, while showing that he will do whatever it takes to create plays and put the puck in the back of the net. He will be a successful student-athlete, not only because of his hockey skill-set, but the determination and character he will bring to our organization. Successful university athletes have to bring a passion for their sport, commitment, and a drive to succeed academically. We think Ben possesses all of those attributes.”
Williams will join former Dauphin Kings defenseman and fellow Souris product, Tanner Butler, in Red Deer who finished his first year with the Kings this past season. Red Deer finished with a 15-13-1-3 record during the 2014-15 season, good enough for a tie for fifth place in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference College men’s hockey standings.
