Williams Guiding Cariboo Cougars Success

Monday, December 18, 2006 04:00 AM

Assistant coach Brent Williams conducting Cariboo Cougars warm-up

It had been ten hockey seasons since Grant Williams watched a hockey game from behind the player’s bench.

“I was in second year Bantam when he last coached,” Brent Williams said when recalling his dad guiding the Prince George bantam minor hockey team.

Grant Williams has enjoyed his role as the head coach of the Cariboo Cougars of the BC Major Midget Hockey League. Excellent support from the rest of the coaching staff and parents has eased the return to coaching . Never mind the fact the Cariboo Cougars have been flirting with first place in the BC Major Midget Hockey League. A check of the MMHL standings has the Prince George-based Cariboo Cougars at 15-5-4 at the Christmas break.

Assistant coaches Brent Williams and Dave Keough complement Grant Williams coaching style. The 2 former Prince George Spruce Kings who parlayed BCHL careers into NCAA hockey scholarships handle the technical end of mentoring 15-17 year-old hockey players.

“He (Grant) is not an x’s and o’s man,” Brent Williams said, noting his dad has a great feel for the game and can get the best out of the major midgets.

The club’s video technician, Todd Doherty, said there has been an attitude adjustment with the ’06-07 club.

“Last season we were satisfied with a tie,” Doherty said.

“Through a lot of team building we changed the team culture,” Grant Williams said.

“Now the team expects to win. They have a great attitude, putting the team ahead of individual goals.”

The Cariboo Cougars depart from competitive league play for the prestigious Calgary Mac’s midget hockey tournament. There first game is December 27 in the week-long international tournament.

When asked for a realistic expectation of the major midgets chances, Grant Williams replied, “We don’t get on the bus to lose.”

An obvious reaction from the former Prince George junior and senior hockey coach who is instilling that competitive fire into the Cariboo Cougars.

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Posted on Monday, December 18, 2006 04:00 AM in Sports by Kelly Sharp

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Comments

Posted by: Runner46 on December 18 2006 9:23 AM

Little do these young men realize how much their coaches attitude towards them and the game are shaping their character.

Posted by: Gofaster on December 18 2006 3:38 PM

I doubt they could care less...
Win, win, win at all costs...
if you can't do it legitimately then take them out in a fight seems to be the mentality....
one way or the other
you gotta BEAT them!

Sorry Kelly, I know you are an avid supporter but I just don't agree with the way the game of hockey has gone....

Posted by: Big_B on December 19 2006 10:28 AM

Go Faster,

You seem to have nothing good to say about hockey, and I don't know why you seem to group professional hockey in with minor hockey. If you knew Grant Williams and those two assistant coaches, you would know that they are competent individuals charged with the tough job of molding these young men into productive citizens.

BC HOckey has selected these coaches and they have made sure that these fellows not only have the coaching certification, but also courses in preventing bullying, harassment, and abuse. BC Hockey is following the lead of Hockey Canada whose mission is to "Lead develop, and promote positive hockey experiences." Sure not everyone follows that statement, but I can assure you that the fellows at the top of hockey, such as Bob Nicholson and Bill Ennos, want nothing more than to see the game change for the betterment of kids.

I don't even have kids, but for the last 15 years I have given countless hours to this game I love either through playing, coaching, or instructing. Sure it hasn't been a perfect game nor have every experience I've had in this game been perfect, but I can always look back, and say that at least I tried. I didn't just sit back and bitch and complain like others without trying to do something.

Good luck Cariboo Cougars! I know you players wll have fun this year, and play well. To Grant and his staff, keep up the great work.

Posted by: Gofaster on December 20 2006 1:57 PM

As the so called game of hockey is right now , you are right Big_B. I don't like what it has become.

i think a big shake up like the NBA just had, within hockey would be a good start.

I don't think for one minute that the coaches are not capable or don't have certification.

I don't see why the coaches would be molding productive citizens but I am sure they can instill "sportsmanship" on the young.

As for your untiring dedication to youth hockey I commend you...

BUT......