Jim Thomsen reflects on Aurora Tigers defenseman, UMass-bound William Smith
AURORA, Ontario (BVM) — While his rookie season of 2020-21 was canceled, William Smith’s focus and his desire for hockey weren’t deterred, and it certainly hasn’t disrupted his path to the proverbial top of the mountain.
In what is now his rookie season, Smith has taken the OJHL by storm, establishing himself as one of the many bright spots on a promising Aurora Tigers squad.
In 27 games so far this season, Smith has tallied 24 points (8-16-24), wasting no time in making a name for himself as a premier offensive defenseman. Then, last week, the 18-year-old had announced that he has committed to the prestigious University of Massachusetts for his collegiate career.
I recently spoke with Aurora Tigers owner Jim Thomson, who elaborated on Smith’s commitment but also reflected on when he first met the youngster and what he’s brought to the organization thus far.
“I met William roughly three years ago, just short of,” Thomson said. “And he came to me through an agent named Ryan Barnes, and he showed up a skinny young man that needed a lot of work. Then, all of a sudden, this kid started putting the work in the gym and started putting the work on the ice and he started getting stronger and bigger, and his development happened really, really quickly.
“He was always a skilled player, but his determination away from the ice is, to me, what really set him apart from a lot of players because he was all in. When he hit the gym, he was all in; when he got on the ice, he was all in. And his growth mentally, physically, it’s one of those things where you know a pro’s going to be a pro. William will be a pro just because he eats, sleeps, and drinks hockey. The training, the culture and everything that goes around it, he’s all of that. He’s got a great shot of going all the way.”
As for Smith’s nearly-a-point-per-game production rate, Thomson, who also serves as the Tigers’ assistant general manager, is cognizant of the main factor.
“His hockey sense,” Thomson noted. “He’s got above-average hockey sense, so he sees the ice really well. And as an offensive defenseman, he’s up in the play. He’s making that one move that most players don’t make which gives him better opportunities to score goals and set goals up. Sometimes, [players are] afraid or just [don’t] want to make that extra move and William’s not afraid to do that. And the beautiful thing about William is when he does get caught or loses the puck, he’s the first guy back. His defensive awareness, which I know a lot of schools were questioning, he’s arguably one of our hardest hitters and he doesn’t get beat. So, the factors of why he’s got these points in these games are just his ability to see the ice, make plays and the fact that he works so hard in the gym and how strong he is.”
Of course, if anyone knows what it takes to get to the top of the hockey mountain, it is Jim Thomson.
Of his 10 seasons playing professional hockey, parts of seven of those were in the NHL. So, while he was certainly thrilled for Smith committing to UMass, Thomson did have some sage advice for the Toronto native as he sets to embark on this new journey.
“I said to William when the news broke, remember where you came from, stay grounded, the grass isn’t always greener, stay focused,” reiterated the former NHLer. “You know, he’s a well-grounded young man and sometimes what happens is that these great things come to a young player that, all of a sudden, they forget some of the things that got them there. And what I was saying to William [earlier this week] is just stick to the plan of what’s making you successful. Don’t get too far ahead. It’s one day at a time and his journey going into UMass — he’s going to succeed there — is to just basically stay the course. It’s a long road to the top of the mountain — getting to UMass, he’s getting closer — and I believe William, will play in the NHL. He’s got what it takes and just a wonderful young man that’s all in.”
William Smith is set to join a UMass program that has developed some fine NHL talent such as 2020 NHL Rookie of the Year Cale Makar, two-time Stanley Cup champion Conor Sheary, and 2012 Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Quick. And, while he may not be where they are just yet – if his brief career in Aurora is any indication – do look for William Smith to follow in the same path. Jim Thomson, and so many others, are beyond confident of that – and justifiably so.
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