STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
CHICAGO, Ill. – Canisius senior goaltender Charles Williams has been named a CCM/American Hockey Coaches Association First Team All-American for the east region, it was announced on Friday.
The first Canisius player to earn All-American accolades, the honor highlights a Cinderella campaign that saw the finalist for the Hobey Baker and Mike Richter awards burst onto the college hockey scene during his last season of intercollegiate competition.
The Atlantic Hockey Conference Player of the Year and an All-AHC First Team selection, Williams led the Griffs to their first AHC regular season championship while pacing the circuit in goals-against average (1.82), save percentage (.943), shutouts (6) and saves (1,016).
A native of Canton, Mich., Williams posted a 21-7-5 overall record during the 2016-17 campaign. He currently ranks first in the nation in save percentage and shutouts, is second in goals-against average, ranks fifth in saves and is tied for 13th in wins.
The graduate transfer played in all but five games this season for the Griffs, allowing two goals or less in 25 of those contests. Williams stopped 30 or more shots in 15 games, including a career-high 46 in a 2-2 tie at Air Force on Jan. 14.
The six-time AHC Goalie of the Week honoree and two-time league Goaltender of the Month selection posted a .930 or better save percentage in 21 games.
Canisius (21-11-7) enjoyed a stellar 2016-17 season that culminated in the program capturing its first Atlantic Hockey Conference regular season title. The Griffs posted a program-record 17-game unbeaten streak and matched the school mark for wins in a campaign. Canisius also entered the national rankings for the first time in four seasons, earning the No. 20 spot in the USCHO.com poll for one week in March.
