Sam Williamson watches the puck go in the Toronto Jr Canadiens net in Game 7 in OT to send the Trenton Golden Hawks to the 2022-23 OJHL Southeast Conference Finals (Photo: Tim Bates/OJHL Images)

WRITTEN BY: TIM DURKIN

If you ask anyone around the Duncan McDonald Memorial Community Gardens this post-season, they will tell you the importance of Trenton's shutdown line.  The trio of Duncan Grube, Jeriah Shantz, and Sam Williamson have been responsible for playing some of the most important minutes in every game.  They had to battle against George Krotiris with Cobourg, Tyler Fukakusa of the Jr Canadiens, and in the Southeast Conference Finals, they are battling against many of the premier Wellington Dukes. The hard work of the graduating member of that line has been recognized for his tenacity and hard work.

The Laurier Golden Hawks have announced they are welcoming Sam Williamson into their program.  Run by former Trenton Assistant Coach Kevin Forrest, the Golden Hawks will have #55 in their program for the fall of 2023.

Trenton Head Coach Jerome Dupont says, "development this year came in many ways.  First of all he is an intelligent hockey player.  He is good at both ends of the ice.  Sam is a good team leader and he will be able to adjust to the higher level of hockey, because of his I.Q..  While in Trenton he has improved in all areas of the game."

Williamson says, "This is a big honour for me.  My parents and my teammates have been there every step of the way.  Getting to sign with an amazing program like that is wonderful.  Laurier has wonderful academics and the hockey program is top level.  The community around the school is strong.  I went to a game between Guelph and Laurier and the atmosphere was incredible."

"My time in Trenton has been amazing," Williamson continued.  Jerome (Dupont) has helped me a lot.  The coaches, fans, and community, make you want to be a better player and a better person.  Although we are focused on our playoffs right now, I am honoured and humbled to be heading to Laurier."

Williamson was part of one of the biggest goals in Trenton Golden Hawks history.  He was in front of the net and assisted on the game winning goal in OT in game seven of the conference semi-final series with the Toronto Jr Canadiens, who were ranked #3 in the final CJHL rankings