Get to Know Your Otter: Devin Williams
Very few players from the United States can watch OHL hockey in their own backyard.
The Erie Otters managed to pluck players from each of the three American towns in the OHL in the 2011 Priority Selection. Erie native Nate Miller was selected in the ninth round, while Troy Saunders from Canton, Mich. (the town next to Plymouth) went to the Otters in the 12th round.
Goaltender Devin Williams, who hails from the same town as the Saginaw Spirit, was the third of the Otters’ fifth round picks.
While he won’t be wearing the red, white and blue of the patriotic themed squad of his hometown, he’s taken it a step further by representing the United States at the Five Nations Tournament.
Last week, Williams and the Americans captured the gold medal in Ann Arbor, Mich. While Thatcher Demko backstopped most of the games in the tournament, it was Williams that starred in the final game against Switzerland to clinch the championship for Team USA.
Williams made 33 saves, including stopping all 19 Swiss shots in the third period, to lead the Americans to a 5-1 win. He had taken the goaltending duties in the previous game, coming in relief of Demko at the start of the third period with the game tied at four against Slovakia.
Two quick goals by the United States and 11 saves by Williams gave the United States a crucial 6-4 win and all but assured the Americans of winning the tournament.
Although Williams appeared late in the tournament, his contribution proved to be valuable. More importantly, it was a time to bond with his fellow countrymen and take in an experience few hockey players get to participate in.
“It was a really unique experience,” Williams said. “I hope to stay in touch with those guys and the coaching staff. It was huge for my career and I hope to keep going forward after that.”
Williams’ career in net began thanks to his grandmother’s love of hockey.
The hockey-crazed state of Michigan loves their Red Wings, and a young Williams idolized Chris Osgood, who recently retired after winning three Stanley Cups.
Today, Williams admires the goaltending talents of Montreal Canadiens netminder Carey Price. Williams is honest when it comes to explaining why he decided to be the masked man in net, blocking rubber projectiles of high speed.
“I didn’t know how to play any other position,” Williams said.
Williams began playing at age five, and soon after it was realized that he had a talent for tending goal. After playing several years in the competitive peewee scene in Michigan, Williams realized that he could take his career further than he could have imagined.
“In my first year of AAA hockey I started getting feedback,” Williams said. “Scouts and coaches told me I had potential to go somewhere.”
That potential was realized when the USA Hockey invited Williams to participate in goaltending camps run by Warren Strelow, goaltending coach for the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team that won gold in Lake Placid, N.Y. He eventually earned an invitation to try out for the U.S. National Development Team, which led to a spot on the Under-17 Selects team that participated at the Five Nations Tournament.
The chance to play for his country was humbling for the 16-year-old goalie prospect.
“It was a huge honor to represent the U.S. at the international level,” Williams said. “I hope to do it again someday.”
As one of the top American goaltenders in his age group, Williams is an intriguing prospect. His quickness was one of the reasons the Otters decided to select Williams in the OHL Priority Selection.
Although the prospect of playing in his hometown could have been a great experience, Williams is more satisfied with an opportunity to play away from home in the future.
“Being from Saginaw, me playing there would have put a lot of pressure on me,” Williams said. “It’s good to be selected by the Otters and I hope to play in Erie someday.”
Although Williams just missed the cut for the U.S. National Development Team, his focus is to eventually play in the OHL.
“My main goal this year is to make the team,” Williams said. “Hopefully my experience playing for Team USA can help me get ready for this.”
