With winter sports amping up, many players are fighting for spots on the team of their varsity program. Junior Brennen Williams has been competing for a spot on the hockey team, and while he’s come up short the past two years, he was finally able to prove himself and earn a spot on the roster.

“It’s been a huge letdown for the past two years,” Williams said. “Not making the team really frustrated me when I feel like I deserved a spot.”

Even though he has not made the team in the past, he was still a part of the Chelsea hockey organization.

“I enjoyed being one of the managers during the hockey season,” Williams said. “Even though I really wasn’t actually on the team, it still made me feel involved with them.”

Being on the team but not playing only motivated him more. He’s put in a lot of work this off-season to prove everyone wrong.

“I worked out so hard this off-season,” Williams said. “I want it more than ever, and I really wanted to make the team.”

Throughout the week of tryouts, Williams never doubted himself and showed the progress he’s made in the past year.

“I feel like it’s night and day,” Williams said. “I’m skating better, my puck handling is better, and I’ve just gotten a lot better overall.”

The coaching staff has seen the progress he’s made too clearly, as Williams has earned a spot on the roster! While he knows he probably won’t get much playing time, he’s still proud of himself for pushing for his dreams.

“It feels good; I finally made it,” Williams said. “I know I’m probably on the bottom of the roster, but I’m going to keep working so eventually I can get on the ice.”

Being a junior also helps him out to hopefully see playing time with him having another season after this one.

“I’m not giving up yet,” Williams said.