Former Vernon Esso Williams Turns Down Herbert Hawks:

Former NHLer & Vernon Esso's forward, Dave "Tiger" Williams has decided not to join the Herbert Hawks for the remainder of the Notekeu Hockey League season. Williams played one season in Vernon with the Esso's (1970-71)

This was posted on Gregg Drinnan's Blog:

Tiger Williams turns down Herbert Hawks

SW Sk Content - Sports

Thursday, 27 January 2011

By Chris Jaster

Dave "Tiger" Williams has decided not to join the Herbert Hawks for the remainder of the Notekeu Hockey League season.

Williams, who played with the Swift Current Broncos for three seasons, decided not to join Herbert's senior hockey club as he could not fit enough games into his personal schedule which would allow him to compete with the Hawks in the playoffs.

Players must have participated in a minimum of 25 per cent of a team's games in order to participate in the playoffs. Williams, who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League, would have had to play in six of the team's final seven league games to be eligible.

"He told me that he doesn't do things half-assed, so he's not going to suit up," said Cory Penner, the Hawks' manager.

Williams considered joining the Hawks after practising with the squad earlier this week.

Although the 56-year-old won't be joining Herbert's squad this season, Williams will occasionally drop by to practice with the team.

"He asked if it would be all right if he came to practice once in a while and we said 'Yeah, sure.' We'll treat him like anybody else," said Penner.

"He's good to have at practice. The guy played how many years in the NHL. Wouldn't you want him?"

Penner doesn't believe Williams' decision will hurt the Hawks' chance at winning a league title. The team is currently in third place in the Notekeu Hockey League with a 12-3-2-0 record.

He is, however, slightly disappointed the crowds likely won't be as big as they would have been had he joined the team.

"We definitely would have gotten some big crowds for sure. It's just a little disappointing from that aspect of things, but it's not the end of the world," said Penner, whose team hosts Mossbank on Friday at 8:30 p.m. "Tiger's a real classy, stand-up kind of guy."