Freshman Year Leads Williams to Draft

June 30, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release

Waterloo, Iowa-By leading the Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks to the NCAA tournament, Stephon Williams gave the New York Islanders every reason to conclude he was a worthwhile pick during the 2013 NHL Draft in New Jersey.

With the 106th overall pick - the fifteenth selection during the fourth round - the Islanders claimed the rights to the Mavericks freshman. Williams is the third player with connections to Waterloo selected by New York today.

Minnesota State made him their starting goaltender early last winter, giving him the opportunity to post a 21-12-2 mark in 35 appearances. His 2.00 goals-against average and 92.4% save percentage helped to make Williams the WCHA Rookie of the Year.

In two years as a USHL player, the Fairbanks, Alaska, native did his best work in the playoffs. With the Black Hawks in 2012, the goalie set a franchise record by earning ten wins in one postseason. Williams also won ten regular season games after being dealt to Waterloo by the Sioux Falls Stampede just prior to the February trade deadline. During the 2011 playoffs Williams won four of five appearances for Sioux Falls.

"This opportunity came to Stephon Williams because he showed his true colors in the most important games," said Waterloo Black Hawks head coach P.K. O'Handley. "His story is a great example of how team success can help the career of an individual player."

Williams joins fellow goaltender Eamon McAdam and forward Taylor Cammarata as a 2013 Islanders' draft pick. All three players were teammates for the Hawks 2011/12 team which reached the Clark Cup Finals. McAdam and Cammarata were chosen in the third round.

United States Hockey League Stories from June 30, 2013

• Lancers' Poolman, Besse Selected in 2013 NHL Draft - Omaha Lancers
• Pair of Saints Selected During 2013 NHL Entry Draft - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• What a Draft Day - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Ice Pair Selected in 2013 NHL Draft - Indiana Ice
• Lumberjacks Have Banner Day at 2013 NHL Entry Draft - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Sharks Make Jackson Late Choice - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Stephon Williams Selected in the 4th Round of NHL Draft by NY Islanders - Sioux Falls Stampede
• Petersen Chosen in Fifth Round - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Freshman Year Leads Williams to Draft - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Islanders Also Add Top Scorer Cammarata - Waterloo Black Hawks
• McAdam Makes Impression on Islanders - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Hawks Draft Pick Taken in NHL Draft - Waterloo Black Hawks
• McCoshen Leads off Second Round of NHL Draft - Waterloo Black Hawks

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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