Countdown to the Ivan Hlinka: Q and A with Team USA’s Jay Williams
To say that the USA is a hockey powerhouse may just be an understatement. Especially after the year they have had on the international stage. The Americans captured gold at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, and most recently at the IIHF Under-18 World’s in April. As much as an injection of skilled, hard-nosed, intelligent players has been a recipe for success to the USA hockey program, so to has the quality of guys between the pipes. Jay Williams looks like he has all the tools to become the next great young goaltender, and it will start at the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka. The 6-foot-2, 173-pound netminder was terrific through tryouts for the squad posting a remarkable .964 save percentage and 1.20 goals-against average. Something that isn’t surprising for anybody that saw him play midget major hockey for the TPC Thunder, or with Hotchkiss Prep in Connecticut. He has all the makings of a pro calibre goalie, as he is very quick and agile, has good size, is positionally sound, never gives up on a puck, is great at moving from post to post, and competes hard no matter what the score. It is little wonder he is considered by many hockey observers to be one of the top North American tenders for his age. Williams was selected in the first round (3rd overall) in the 2009 USHL’s Futures Draft by the Waterloo Black Hawks, and has committed to play hockey at the University of Miami-Ohio after that. There is little doubt the 17-year-old will be a high pick come the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. I had a chance to catch up with the talented tender, for a quick Q and A.
Who has been the biggest influence in your hockey development so far?
Jay: Growing up I had a lot of great coaches, Paul Mulvey, an ex-NHLer, was a huge influence on me. And then my goalie coach Darren Hersh has helped me out a lot in my development.
For those that don’t know too much about Jay Williams, what do you believe your strentghs as a netminder are?
Jay: I think that my strengths as a goalie are my work ethic and my competitive spirit. Then I think my skating is another strength of mine.
You were fantastic in the US Select 17 Player Development Camp, in order to make the cut for the upcoming Ivan Hlinka, so is it fair to say you respond well to pressure situations?
Jay: Thank you, I definitely felt good about my week in Rochester. I guess so. I have always loved high pressure games, and they have often brought out the best in me.
Will this be your first taste of international competition?
Jay: No, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to go overseas last summer with the Select 17 team, where we played, Slovakia, Germany, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.
You were selected by the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks in the first round (3rd overall) of the 2009 Futures Draft. Goalies usually aren’t picked so high, was that a big confidence boost for yourself, and being that you are committed to the University of Miami-Ohio how long do you intend to play in the USHL?
Jay: It definitely gave me confidence moving forward, but it was also a humbling experience. Personally, I tried not to get caught up in my draft position, because I knew that I still had a lot of work to do in order to make it in the USHL. I am committed to Miami for 2012, so I will be in the USHL for the next two seasons.
You were heavily recruited by numerous schools, so what made you ultimately choose the Redhawks program?
Jay: I just felt like Miami was the perfect fit for me. They have an unbelievable coaching staff, and their facilities are second to none. Also, the timing was perfect for me. I will be able to come in my freshman year and compete for playing time right away.
Okay back to the Ivan Hlinka, how do you like the makeup of this US club, and who do you believe may be the most underrated US player going in?
Jay: I think we have a great group of guys, and I feel so lucky to be a part of this group. No one person comes to mind when I think of underrated guys. Just like any other team, we have a bunch of role players, who are all great at what they do.
With team USA coming off an Under-17 Hockey Challenge gold, and recently a IIHF World U18 gold medal winning performance, do you think the balance of power has shifted now to the point that there is a target on your backs as far as being favourites?
Jay: I definitely think that everyone will bring their A game against us. Obviously you still have dominate hockey countries like Canada, Russia and Sweden, but I think that with all the success USA Hockey has had recently, we are viewed on the same level as them.
What is the highlight of your young career thus far?
Jay: Well I would have to say playing for Team USA last summer was the highlight of my career thus far, but I am sure that my experience at the Ivan Hlinka Tournament will surpass that.
A lot of guys like to talk trash on the ice, especially directed towards the tenders, what’s the funniest chirp you’ve heard while playing?
Jay: Well it wasn’t directed at me, but there was a guy with a full bubble visor on and he was trying to chirp my buddy, and he responded with “roll down your window, I can’t hear you.”
Who, has had the hardest shot you’ve ever faced?
Jay: Alex Gacek, his wrist shot is harder the most one timers. Its unbelievable how hard he shoots the puck.
Goalies are known for being pretty superstitious, do you have any routines you go before or during the course of the game?
Jay: Well before I get to the rink, I like to play the whole game through in my head. When I get there I always tape my sticks, and spend a little time alone on the bench, just thinking about the game and what I need to do. I don’t really have any on ice routines, I just go out there and play.
Is there a goaltender in the NHL you mold your game after?
Jay: Well I’ve always loved Ryan Miller, I think he’s the perfect combination of technique and athleticism. I would love to be able to play like him.
Nickname?
Jay: Willie
Most embarrassing moment while playing?
Jay: It was at nationals my U16 year. I went behind the net to play the puck and I tripped. The puck hit me and kicked out in front to their guy right in the slot. He tapped it in the empty net
