Photo: Todd Pederson
Coming back to Dauphin for a fourth season, Ethan Williment believes there is unfinished business and a returning group with a big chip on their shoulder.
“Coming back, guys are very bitter about how things ended last year”, the long-time King says. “We are lucky, we have a lot of the guys from last year coming back, so we’ll take that experience and bring it into this year. I think we have a really good chance at doing something special this year.”
Having spent so many years in Dauphin, Williment knows what the team means to the community and the legacy of the Kings teams of the past. “You go out in in, and people will say hi, ask how you’re doing, talk about the games. The community is really behind you and you feel that as a player. A place like Dauphin, it’s got an amazing fan base and it’s a special place to play.”
Williment is going to be a leader on the Kings this year and credits his past teammates with helping him be ready for a bigger role. “My first year, I was playing behind guys like Colby Jaquet and Parker Malchuk. The last couple years, I’ve been behind Owen Wareham and then last year, Logan Walker. If I can take a little bit from each one of those guys, I feel I’ll be set up to be a great leader.”
With so many returning players, Williment says it’s great to have some stuff already built in and being comfortable. “For me, it all starts in the room”, the Winnipeg born forward explains. “You need everyone to feel comfortable, feel involved. My first year in the league, we were one of the tightest teams if not the tightest team. I want to bring everyone together, make sure we’re all on the same page and we all have the same goals for the end of the year.”
Having been bitten by the injury bug at times, Williment believes there’s more he can give on the ice heading into his final junior season. “Personally, I’ve dealt with injuries the past couple season so my number one goal is to be healthy and play every game, contributing as much as I can. What I really want is to be a good teammate. Help build up other guys, I want to make plays and maybe score a few more goals. I want to lead in the right way this year and set a good example for the young guys coming up.”
Heading into the year, there are expectations that this group could get over the hump and bring the Turnbull Cup back to the Parkland. For Williment, he says they’re ready for the challenge. “It’s about proving”, he says. “I think everyone that’s here is here for the right reason. Everyone believes we can do what we think we can do. It’s about walking the walk now. Not much else we can do, it’s time to play the right way and I think we have a very good chance at doing some great things this year.”
With the home opener at Credit Union Place coming quick, Williment says he hasn’t given too much thought to coming out of the tunnel that final time but says there will be a few emotions when the time does come. “I think there’s going to be butterflies. I’m going to take absolutely everything in this year. Already being a 20, I’ve come into camp, spending more time at the rink, more time around the guys, you don’t have this chance very often. To be a guy that’s done it for 4 years, it’s a little bit extra special.”
The Dauphin Kings open their regular season September 20th on the road in Virden. The Kings home opener is set for September 21st vs the Oil Capitals.
