Avs blueliner commits to DI program

PALMER — During the 2010-11 season, it didn’t matter the situation — on the penalty kill, power play or skating with the extra attacker — Alaska Avalanche head coach Brian Huebel knew he could send Jake Williams on to the ice, and the defenseman would be poised to make an impact.

Now, Williams is ready to make an impact at the next level. The Duluth, Minn., native and two-year veteran of the Avalanche has committed to play college hockey at Division I American International College in Springfield, Mass.

“They’re high on (Jake),” Huebel said of the AIC coaching staff. “They think (Jake) can come in and have an impact right away, and see a lot of ice time. As a freshman, it’ll be something he’ll have to earn.”

Williams found a home on the Avs blue line as a North American Hockey League rookie in 2009-10 and flourished this past season with the Valley-based Junior A hockey team.

During his first year in the Valley, Avalanche coaches initially saw Williams as potentially the team’s fifth or sixth defenseman. But by the midpoint of that season, it became obvious the Minnesota native was a staple on the blue line. Williams finished that first season with five goals and 22 assists in 56 games.

Williams skated into his second season as the top defenseman on the club.

He again scored five goals in 2010-11, but also distributed a franchise-record 42 assists. Williams also set franchise records for career assists (64) and points by a defenseman (74).

That production is a sign of Williams’ ability in the offensive zone, Huebel said.

“He has an ability to jump into the play and be another level coming in the offensive zone,” Huebel said.

Williams is also a career plus-42 with the Avs. His plus-20 rating as a rookie and plus-22 last year show his consistency.

“You know what you’re going to get out of him,” Huebel said. “We really relied on him in a lot of situations.”

Williams also tallied a goal and team-high 19 assists with his team on the power play last year.

Williams joins a Yellowjacket team that finished 8-24-1 overall and 7-19-1 in the Atlantic Hockey League last year.

“The Atlantic Hockey League’s a good league. (The AIC coach) is pretty high on their team. They played a lot of one-goal games,” Huebel said. “They hope Jake can help turn some of those one-goal losses into one-goal wins, create a little more success.”

AIC also includes former Alaska Avalanche forward Richard Leitner. The incoming junior played in the Valley in 2005 and 2006.

Williams is expected to be the first of a handful of Avalanche players to commit to college programs in the coming weeks.

Williams recognized by league

Williams has been named All-NAHL West Division. He is one of two defensemen named to the six-man squad. Forwards Doug Beck (Kenai River), Jared Linnell (Fairbanks) and JT Osborn (Fairbanks); defenseman Jack Callahan (Fairbanks); and goalie Brandon Jaeger (Wenatchee) were also named to the list.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/matsu_sports.