Williams has new appreciation for hockey

One centimeter may not sound big. In fact, it’s not, but the small unit of measurement can have huge impacts. In the game of hockey, it could mean the difference between a game-winning goal or defeat. But for Indy Fuel goaltender Charles Williams, one centimeter determined his ability to continue playing this season.

Williams is in his third professional season and has played in over 90 games since 2017 with winning records in his two previous seasons. He signed with the Fuel this summer, following Coach Doug Christiansen to Indianapolis. Williams found success under Christiansen with the Manchester Monarchs and knew it was a no-brainer to continue his career under his guidance. He moved to his new playing city with his wife, Camille, who was also ready to make the transition to Indiana.

He was ready to begin a new chapter.

“It was something I was looking forward to, with being in a new division and on a new team,” Williams said. “I worked all summer for it.”

Williams began preparing for the start of the season. Like a lot of ECHL players, he was invited to an American Hockey League training camp. He began going through standard prodcedures,  including a medical exam, with the Rockford Icehogs. The goaltender failed his physical after the echocardiogram taken during the exam showed he had a heart murmur and would need more tests.

The Michigan native knew he was born with a heart murmur. It never affected his playing or conditioning. What he didn’t know was how close that heart murmur came to ending his career.

“I had found out there was a possibility to never play hockey again and it was tough,” Williams said. “I was thinking about what I’d have to do, like move back home so that was nerve wracking.But it was going to be pretty cut and dry in terms of if I’d be able to play or not. I knew I had it my whole life but I had been feeling pretty good, going through workouts and stuff so I never really had problems.I felt confident with my conditioning and my physical well-being.”

Williams never made it to the training camp. He stayed in Indianapolis with his wife for more testing. He began planning for his next move if the tests came saying he could no longer play hockey. His brother had just bought a house in Detroit and Williams weighed the options of possibly moving back home and living with him while seeking out a new job opportunity.

His family has always been there for him throughout his career, whether it was dealing with injuries in college or the outcome of these tests. The 27-year-old knew their support would help him through the process.

“Whether I had to stop playing, whatever tests I needed to do, my family was going to support me in any way,” Williams said. “It was nerve wracking that week I was supposed to be at Rockford’s camp, but obviously I failed the physical so I wasn’t able to be there. That was an eye opener. I was with my wife the whole time in Indy doing the tests and praying for the best. We knew it wasn’t in our hands, but made sure we could do everything we could do on our end.

“My parents did the same thing,” Williams said. “They were talking me through it and knew that it was in God’s hands. They were going to be there for us no matter what. That was a really reassuring moment for me to not think too much into it and just know that whatever happens, happens, that I’d be ok with it. We would make the necessary adjustments.”

Tests came back and showed that if his aorta was just a centimeter wider, it would have been too enlarged for him to play sports, or perform any physical activity for that matter.

“The fact that it was one centimeter away from ending my career was pretty drastic,” Williams said. “I was hoping it wasn’t that close, but the doctors said I was going to be ok and be able to play. That was great news.”

This season, Williams has a new perspective on the game and treats it like it’s the first time he’s hitting the ice every time. The net minder has unconditional support from his family for whatever happens next with his career and he’s enjoying every practice and game with the Fuel. He’s loving time with the coaching staffas he hones in on his craft. He’s enjoying getting to know the Fuel’s fan base. All of those factors he says have helped him continue in the right direction and not focus on the “what ifs” anymore.

“I almost played my last game of hockey without knowing last season,” Williams said. “I see the game in a different light now. Every time I’m out there, I give it my all, as if it’s my last skate. I’m just enjoying the moment, almost like it’s my first time doing it. There’s definitely a lot more passion with hockey, goaltending and being with the guys, knowing that at any moment it can be taken away.”

The veteran goaltender said his eyes were opened because of the close call, but doesn’t see it affecting his training or playing going forward. His love for the sport sparks his drive for success on the ice. Williams plans to continue to train and work on his game in the same way, but just be more appreciative knowing it could have all been taken away suddenly.

“The preparation and everything will stay the same,” Williams said. “Whether things are going well or bad, it’s just about being in the moment and keeping that same drive, never taking a day off or things like that. I would say it’s more about when I’m on the ice that I never feel like I’m out there too long.”

Williams has posted a 3.05 goals-against average and one shutout in 12 appearances this season. He’s driven to focus on the present and push himself to continue to improve his game. He’s the backbone of a young Fuel team and hopes his experiences, on and off the ice, will help his team stay competitive throughout the season. He knows, like in life, hockey is a game of adjustments. Williamsisn’t letting the small stuff, and his close medical call, keep him from succeeding and playing the sport he’s passionate about.

“I love the game and as I continue to play more, and see what outlets and opportunities come from it, it really drives me to continue to keep going,” Williams said. “I never knew how close of a call it was with my heart murmur. I’m 27 years old now and that could have changed my life. I’m just enjoying the moment, day by day, and excited to keep playing.”