Nobody knows the best and the worst of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League like Rhys Williams.

In a journey that started three seasons ago with the hapless Westshore Stingers, 19-year-old Williams has since made three all-star appearances, suffered through injury, and has been cut, benched and traded (not in that order).

And itB次元官网网址檚 all been worth it as Williams is enjoying a dominant season as an assistant captain and top-four defenceman with the leagueB次元官网网址檚 best team. The Victoria Cougars have not only locked up a first-round playoff bye with 29 wins in 35 games, theyB次元官网网址檒l hang on to to first place even if they lose all seven of their remaining regular season games. But they wonB次元官网网址檛 do that.

As of Thursday, the Cougars were riding a nine-game win streak, and were attempting to extend the win streak to double digits for the second time this season.

B次元官网网址淲e havenB次元官网网址檛 really talked about (clinching first overall). With the coach, itB次元官网网址檚 all about focusing on individual skill and team play in practice,B次元官网网址� Williams said.

Any player or coach with the Cougars, however, will tell you last yearB次元官网网址檚 Game 7 loss to the Peninsula Panthers in the league final still stings.

The club recently added forward Colin Minardi from the Summerland Steam (Kootenay), defenceman Graham Zagrodney from the Swan River Stampeders (Manitoba Jr. A), and goalie Bryce Halverson from the Heritage Jr. B league in Alberta.

Zagrodney has two points in two games, Minardi has seven points in three games, and Halverson has won all seven games heB次元官网网址檚 started since Dec. 15.

Needless to say, WiliamsB次元官网网址� time with the Cougars is a world away from his experience with the Stingers.

Three seasons ago he was part of the StingersB次元官网网址� monumental win. It was Dec. 12 of 2009, and the Stingers upset the Oceanside Generals to end a 91-game losing streak. Williams still remembers what has become the greatest win in the history of the now defunct Stingers franchise.

B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 really explain that game,B次元官网网址� Williams said. B次元官网网址淔or once, everyone was there to play, everyone was there to battle and everything clicked.

B次元官网网址淭he next game we tried to do everything right again. Pretty sure it was against the Cougars. They scored a couple goals, we got intimidated and we lost again.B次元官网网址�

Williams was part of a crew of pals with Jake Nixon (Cougars) and Travis Oickle (Kerry Park Islanders) who grew up in Langford, went to Belmont secondary, and played Juan de Fuca minor hockey before joining the league with the Stingers.

In the early going of last season Williams was traded to the Cougars and Oickle was traded to the Islanders. Nixon remained a Stinger until the bitter end, eventually selected by the Cougars in the dispersal draft of December 2010.

Even getting the trade finalized proved difficult, as Williams was moved just a few weeks prior to the teamB次元官网网址檚 dispersal.

When the trade went through, Williams recognized the difference as soon as he arrived at Archie Browning arena.

B次元官网网址淭he players were welcoming but (coach Mark Van Helvoirt) was strictly business. No backwards hats, be respectful and present yourself in a professional manner. You walk into the Cougars dressing room and all 21 guys have bought into the system.

B次元官网网址淲ith the Westshore, itB次元官网网址檚 hard to say what was so different. Even though it was a lot of kids I grew up with, only three or four guys were buying into the system and trying to win. Obviously itB次元官网网址檚 not going to work out that way.B次元官网网址�

Williams adjusted to the high-tempo practise, too.

B次元官网网址淚 think, in one hour we do 30 more drills then you do somewhere else. It was like, you miss a pass and you do 10 pushups. It was prim and proper.B次元官网网址�

Despite the constant losses, being a Stinger wasnB次元官网网址檛 all bad, Williams said.

B次元官网网址淭here were some things I respected about the owner (John Butler-Smythe), he tried hard to do things his way. And coach Bryan Grant was one of the best coaches IB次元官网网址檝e ever had. It wasnB次元官网网址檛 his fault. Some kids just werenB次元官网网址檛 ready (for junior).B次元官网网址�

When Van Helvoirt acquired Williams, one of the issues he addressed early was the long-term effect of being around a losing environment.

B次元官网网址淲illiams had a short memory, credit to him,B次元官网网址� Van Helvoirt said. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 put in the work and heB次元官网网址檚 an all-star in our eyes, one of the top defenceman in the league.B次元官网网址�

Game time

The Cougars visit the Campbell River Storm tonight. The next home game is Feb. 2 versus the Saanich Braves at Archie Browning Sports Centre, 7:15 p.m.