Williams finds niche with Omaha ice hockey team

COLUMBUS - Mike Arnold wanted Jordan Williams to try out for the Omaha Gladiators ice hockey team.

Turns out, he's a natural.

Williams, a freshman at Columbus High, eventually made the team. He will join the Gladiators in the International Silver Sticks Tournament in Pellham, Ontario, which was scheduled to start at 9 a.m. today and run through Sunday. The Gladiators won the tournament last year when Williams wasn't a part of the team.

Arnold, the Gladiators head coach, said he knew Williams would make an impact because of what he saw from Williams when he played roller hockey.

“I knew he was an athletic kid because he plays soccer and football,” Arnold said. “I told him to try it, and if you don't like it, that's fine. He's been a good strong skater for us. He's an outstanding kid and bonds well with the rest of the kids.”

Arnold said Williams played a big role in helping the Gladiators win nationals in Colorado Springs, Colo., in June.

Williams plays left wing for the Gladiators, which is a level Bantam A (ages 13-14).

Williams said playing for the Gladiators has been a blast.

“I just fell in love with it,” Williams said. “It's been fun playing for this team. We get to travel a lot and meet a lot of people.”

Williams has recorded 39 points this season on 22 goals and 17 assists. He has averaged 1.18 points per game. The Gladiators have an overall record of 23-10-3 and are 3-4-2 in the Midwest Hockey League, which includes teams from Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas.

Before joining the Gladiators, Williams played roller hockey for several years on teams in Columbus, Omaha, and Lincoln as well as representing Nebraska in the State Wars in Chicago the last two years. He also played ice hockey in Lincoln last year.

In December, the Gladiators won the Silver Sticks Regional Tournament in Chicago. They allowed only two goals the entire weekend. Arnold said that was a big boost for them as they headed into the international tournament.

“The kids played well,” Arnold said. “I thought Jordan played a big part for us. He played liked he had been skating with these kids all of his life.”

Williams expects the competition to be a lot tougher in Pellham.

“It should be exciting playing teams from Florida, Texas, Canada and all over,” Williams said. “It is going to be a lot more difficult. Teams are going to be a lot bigger, faster and more experienced.”