In his third year with the Port Colborne Pirates, the Jordan Station native has already surpassed his point totals from last season. In 20 Golden Horseshoe Conference games this season, Williamson has scored 12 goals and registered a total of 21 points, a jump from his eight goals and 18 points in 49 games last season.

"At the beginning of the season, coach sat down with me to talk about expanding my offensive role," said the 18-year-old. "I was up to the challenge and now it's paying off."

"Last year he was more of a shutdown guy (a player who can stop opposing attackers and regain control of the puck)," said coach Kevin Roseburgh. "He wasn't in those offensive situations, but this year he's responded well to them."

Centring a line with Nick Bohdanec and Cole Rubinoff, Williamson has had seven multi-point games this season and nine of his points have come on the power play.

"John works as hard as anybody I've ever coached. He's a tremendous two-way player who's putting up the offensive numbers," said Roseburgh. "He's one of our best penalty killers who also sees a lot of time on the power play. He's one of my go-to guys who does it all. He's a leader in the room."

A defensive-minded team, the Pirates have allowed the second fewest goals against with 67 (the St. Catharines Falcons are the stingiest team, allowing just 52).

"It's always been one of my best assests. I'm constantly mindful of it when I'm on the ice," said Williamson, who also wants to take his abilities to the next level with a hockey scholarship in the United States. Williamson grew up playing hockey in Jordan and eventually moved up to play his AAA hockey in St. Catharines.

"He could work on his shot a little bit and some footwork things. Just little things he can fine tune in order to get to the next level," said Roseburgh, adding Williamson's one of the best kids he's coached at playing away from the puck.

In a 2-1 loss to the Falcons last Saturday night at home, Williamson's talent was on display.

During the second period, the Falcons rushed up the ice with the puck and the Pirate defenders begin to waddle backwards as fast as they could, but were being overtaken. Williamson dug in on the backcheck to help out. He scooped the puck from a surprised Falcon forward and led the rush back to the St. Catharines net.

Williamson had the lone goal for Port Colborne with assists from his two linemates.

"Bohdanec did a spin-o-rama to get the puck on Cole Rubinoff's stick," said Williamson. "And he found me wide open at the side of the net."