Williamson set for return to Storm
1/15/2002Andrew Williamson is on his way back to the Toledo Storm.
The top goal scorer in the East Coast Hockey League the past two seasons said last evening from St. Catherines, Ont., that he has agreed to contract terms and will rejoin the Storm.
He is expected to arrive in Toledo later today.
The 25-year-old left the Storm last summer to play for Bietigheim Bissingen, a Division II team in Germany. After recording 52 goals in 63 games last season and 63 in 63 two seasons ago when he received ECHL most valuable player honors, the Steelers offered Williamson more money and fewer games.
The move was a disaster. Williamson said he was third on the German team in scoring, with 16 goals and 19 assists in 23 games, but was constantly criticized.
“The fans, the owner and the media were all over me,” Williamson said. “They expected me to be a prolific skater. You know that's not my strength.
“One game I had a goal and two assists, but we lost in a shoot-out. The owner came in and started screaming at the team in German. Then he curses at me for ten minutes in German.
“I'm really excited about coming back to Toledo. The five months I had there were five very long months.”
Williamson returns to a Toledo team that's 17-17-2 at the season's midway point.
Storm coach Dennis Holland said he'll put Williamson at right wing with Shawn Maltby at center and Rob Thorpe on the left side.
“We're bringing in one of the elite scorers in the ECHL the past two or three seasons,” Holland said. “We'll become a three-line threat now.”
Williamson said he hasn't skated since Dec. 30, but it's possible that he could be in the lineup when Toledo hosts Peoria on Friday and Saturday at the Sports Arena.
“I've looked at the team and it looks dynamite on paper,” Williamson said. “I know my role. I'm brought in to be a leader and maybe carry some of the offensive load.
“I know fans may not believe this, but I played more of a two-way game over there. I tried to play more defense and I know I can do that, too.”