As the Eagle Sky Estevan Bruins gear up to embark on a three-game road swing this weekend through Battlefords, Warman and Humboldt, the team will do so with perhaps the hottest player in Junior hockey right now.
Bruins’ forward, Rylan Williams is coming off a monster 4G, 1A game in last Saturday’s 5-3 win over Humboldt, factoring in on all five of his team’s goals to lead Estevan to their sixth win in their last seven games.
“I owe it all to my teammates,” Williams said with a shrug and a smile postgame. “They made plays, got me the puck and it just went in. It was awesome. I didn’t feel like I played my best game on Friday, so I just wanted to do better [Sat night] and I definitely did.”
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With the remarkable performance, Williams joins some elite company in the Bruins’ record books, becoming the first Bruins’ player to net four goals in a game since Kade Runke did so four seasons ago against Weyburn, February 19, 2022.
In fact, Williams became just the fourth Bruin in over 19 years – dating back to the 2006-07 season (as far back as the game logs are available on the SJHL website) – to accomplish the feat, joining Runke, Matt McNeil (Jan. 20, 2017), and Brody Haygarth (Jan. 23, 2009).
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Examining the four, some fun insights stand out:
Firstly, Williams was the first to net four in a game prior to Christmas, but actually tied Haygarth for the fewest number of games played, both netting their four-goal night in just their 24th game of the year. McNeil scored his in his 41st game, and Runke in his 44th.
Secondly, all four happened to score theirs in a five-point night, each adding an assist as well on their way to leading their team to victory.
Third and final: Williams was the third of the four to score his four-goal night in his first season with the team, joining both Runke and McNeil who also did so in their first year donning the black and gold. Haygarth was in his second year with the team.
Williams was recognized for his standout play of late, earning the SJHL’s MVP of the Month distinction for his play through November, which saw him rack up 17 points (9G, 8A) in 10 games over the last month, while imposing his skill and strength on the puck on opposition defenses on a nightly basis.
Currently tied for second in league scoring with 39 points (16G, 23A) through his first 24 games, it’s no question Williams is destined for many more head-turning nights as the schedule treads into the final month of the calendar year in December.
Williams and his Bruins’ teammates will return to action Friday night in the Battlefords to kick-off their weekend three-game weekend swing against his former team, the North Stars.
Friday’s game will be available on FloHockey, and for free on the Bruins’ YouTube Livestream. Pregame will begin at 7:15 p.m., with puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.
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Marty Martinson/Bruins PxP & Marketing Director
On X: @MartyMartyPxP1
