By Lizz Bottrell

Think back to when you were a child, what was your dream? Did you want to be a doctor? A firefighter? How about a hockey player in the NHL?

For his entire life, Jeremy Williams, born and raised in Glenavon, dreamed of playing alongside the big boys in the NHL. He never expected to actually make it to the NHL - never mind setting a new record.

Drafted in 2003 in the seventh round by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jeremy spent most of his professional hockey career with the Leaf’s farm team, the Toronto Marlies. That is until a couple weeks ago. “I got called up last Tuesday [Feb. 26],” said Jeremy over a phone interview from Toronto. Finally he’d get to play with the big boys.

“He got on the line with Mats Sundin and was able to score,” said a very proud Kevin Williams, Jeremy’s father. “He [Jeremy] was a little bit in awe when he scored the goal. When you play with a player of that calibre, he puts the puck on a platter for you and all you have to do is shoot it in,” said Kevin.

This wasn’t Jeremy’s first experience with the NHL. Two years ago Jeremy played his first game with the Toronto Maple Leafs - and scored his first goal. Though it was his only game of the 2005 season, the Leafs called him up once more during the 2006 season. Again, he did not disappoint. Jeremy scored his second career goal in only his second career game.

Add the Feb. 26 goal against the Florida Panthers, and Jeremy became a NHL record holder. “He holds the record for scoring one goal for the only three games he had played for three consecutive years,” said Kevin. “I didn’t even know it really was a record,” said Jeremy. “But they checked into it and it had never been done before, so they made a new one.”

Not bad for a 24-year-old kid from Glenavon.

It tends to be that more often it’s players from the bigger markets making it to the NHL, so Jeremy’s success will be an inspiration to other youngsters from Southeast Saskatchewan communities.

Growing up, Jeremy always loved the Maple Leafs. “They were my main favourite team,” said Jeremy. As a Canadian, it’s always a great accomplishment to be able to play with a Canadian team. “He [Jeremy] was always a fan of the Leafs. I’m a fan of the Leafs too. It was exciting for him to go to the ‘Original 6′ team,” said Kevin.

Jeremy didn’t always believe he’d make it to the NHL. “I didn’t really think about it until I was 18,” said Jeremy. “We knew he had a chance to get drafted because he was predicted to go has high as the third round,” said Kevin.

When the dream started to become reality, Jeremy’s parents were careful not to set him up for disappointment. With so many prospects drafted every year, many more end up devastated when they don’t make it. “His agent advised us not to go down [for the draft] cause it’s hard on the kid [if he’s not drafted].” They didn’t go down to the draft, but as they expected, Jeremy was drafted.

Now, instead of dreaming of playing in the NHL, Jeremy lives his dream and plays alongside the likes of Mats Sundin, Alex Steen, and Darcy Tucker. So he knows first hand why you should push forward with your dreams no matter what. “Never count yourself out. I know it was always a dream for me…you just never know what can happen.”