On Wednesday November 4th, the Cincinnati Cyclones announced the signing of Canadian defensemen Eric Williams. The two sides agreed to terms on a standard player contract for the upcoming season.
Williams, from Newmarket, Ontario, is a right-handed shooting defensemen. He stands at six-foot-one and weighs in at 185 pounds. Williams, 25-years-old, is entering his second full season of pro hockey. He does so after playing last season, that being his rookie year, with the Utah Grizzlies.
He originally signed with the Norfolk Admirals for the upcoming season before they opted out of play. Doing so due to the pandemic, he became a free agent and could sign a contract elsewhere. Prior to making the jump pro, Williams spanned four seasons playing in collegiate hockey with the Northeastern Huskies.
Over his four years attending college, Williams would amass a stat line that is fairly decent for a collegiate hockey player. In his freshman season, he recorded eight goals along with seven assists which made for 15 points. He did so in 41 games.
As for his sophomore season, Williams played 38 games, where he recorded two goals along with 15 assists. That would make for 17 points. Fast forward to his junior season, Williams recorded five goals along with eight assists which made for 13 points. He did so in 38 games. Lastly, in his senior season, the defensemen recorded 12 points, having scored three goals along with nine assists. He did so in 39 games.
Williams would have a swan song send off in his final collegiate season. At the end of his career with the Huskies, the right-handed shooter signed two professional tryout contracts; one with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers and one with the ECHL’s Manchester Monarchs. With the Checkers, he would play in two contests, however, did not manage to get on the scoreboard.
Playing with the Monarchs, Williams would find a tad more success. He would play in two contests in Manchester, however, in doing so did not a goal. He did have an assist per game, giving him the technical status of a point per game player with the hockey club.
Taking a look at his rookie season, Williams would spend it with the Utah Grizzlies. As such, he would record seven goals along with 16 assists which made for 23 points. He did so in 62 games. He now makes the move to Cincinnati with his first full season of pro hockey under his belt.
In a statement from the Hockey East champion, he said on Wednesday upon signing his contract, “I am beyond excited to be joining the Cyclones and ready to get back on the ice with my teammates, fans can expect a solid puck moving defenseman who can also jump up and contribute offensively as well as play in all situations. I am looking forward to coming to Cincinnati and getting going on what should be a fun and unique season.”
As for the thoughts of Matt Thomas, head coach of the Cincinnati Cyclones, he said of the team’s latest signing, “Eric is an important piece for our back end, we were looking for a right shot defensemen that could contribute to our offensive game and he offers a complete game that our fans will appreciate.”