In an ever-changing hockey landscape where options are aplenty, no place felt quite like “home” like Affinity Place and the Energy City for Rylan Williams.
Acquired from the Battlefords in a blockbuster trade earlier in the month, Williams came to the team yet-undecided where he would suit up next season, garnering great interest from the North American Hockey League (NAHL) as well as the SJHL.
“It’s been a lot of thought and a lot of reflecting,” Williams said of the summer. “We went down to Minnesota and tried it out there, but when I came to Estevan with my family, [Head coach] Drew [Kocur] and [Bruins’ President] Riley [Tetreault] and everybody there really made me feel welcome right when I pulled up to the rink and everything they did for me felt so special.
“Their first time meeting me they went 150 percent for me already, so it’s a good feeling from them and I’m super excited to give it my all for the organization. I’m going to play as hard as I can for the organization and for Drew.”
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Among the selling points for Williams was hearing about the team’s emphasis on playing a fast-paced, tenacious style, something that fits the Kyle, SK., product to a tee.
“Drew wants [the Bruins] to be an in-your-face team and be a puck-control team, and I love that style of play,” Williams said with an audible smile. “Go finish your checks, hold onto pucks, make creative plays and play fast; that’s right up my alley.”
That passion for the game and unique mix of puck-skills and grit are what set Williams apart as a unique elite talent in the league, heading into the 2025-26 season.
After breaking into the league with an impressive 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists) in 44 games two years ago as a rookie, Williams upped his totals to 42 points (17 goals, 25 assists) in 50 games last season. This, while showing his versatility as a player, as a key piece of the North Stars’ power play (14 power play points) and penalty kill (scoring two short-handed goals).
That two-way presence has always been something Williams has prided himself on since his early days as a fan of the game, watching an iconic two-way legend intently from his living room.
“Just watching the NHL all the time growing up, my favourite player was Patrice Bergeron for the longest time,” Williams recounted. “When Boston was dominant for a while there, just watching him every shift take care of his d-zone and then go make plays in the o-zone and cause havoc was where it all started for me. I took a lot of inspiration from him and a guy like Logan Couture for their two-way game.”
Now donning the spoked-B himself, Williams will be looking to replicate his hockey hero as a two-way force for Estevan’s top club. Projected to join fellow SJHL-standout, Ewan Rennie to form two-thirds of a dynamic “all-situations” top line, Williams said he’s looking forward to the opportunity, having experienced first-hand Rennie’s impact on the ice.
“I played a couple games against him last year and thought he was a pain in my rear-end,” Williams said with a laugh. “So it will be good to be on a line with him and I think we can do a lot of special things together.”
The Bruins will open their 2025-26 regular season schedule Sept. 19 in Melville. The home-opener will be the following night on Sept. 20 at Affinity Place.
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Marty Martinson/Bruins PxP & Marketing Director
On X: @MartyMartyPxP1
