IceDogs coach makes surprise appearance
Bill Burke got the surprise of his life when he walked into the arena at Ridley College Saturday afternoon.
The owner of the Niagara IceDogs was there along with several young IceDog hopefuls as part of the team’s annual rookie orientation day when a familiar face greeted them.
Niagara coach/general manager Marty Williamson, just hours after being released from hospital in Toronto, was in the lobby waiting to see the players.
“He was bound and determined to get out of the hospital so he could see the rookies Saturday,” Burke said. “He surprised all of us. Apparently, it took him two hours to get dressed but he was there. When the bus pulled up he was there waiting for us.
“None of us expected it. We had heard on Friday night he was in the process of getting hopefully getting released.”
Burke admitted getting choked up when he saw Williamson and his wife Deb at the arena.
“It was an emotional time for all of us,” he said. “There were hugs, kisses and tears for sure. It was unbelievable. “It’s been quite a week.” Williamson underwent open heart surgery in May and came home only to have to be taken back to hospital last week when he suffered a set back that saw his heart race.
“He l ooks great ,” Burke reported. “He’s tired, tired, tired. He’s lost 26-plus pounds.”
Burke said Williamson managed to spend 15-20 minutes at the arena before he became too fatigued and had to leave.
Williamson will now begin the slow process of rehab.
“As he said, he was excited to get on to some rehab now and slowly work things back,” Burke said. “He ended up with a blood clot in his arm and they are controlling that as well. They are optimistic that they have the medication set so the heart won’t race. They feel all the arteries are working well. “It’s just the slow process of trying getting himself back to where he was trying to get himself a week ago.”
Burke said the outpouring of well wishes for Williamson has been staggering. Williamson was mentioned by Don Cherry on Coach’s Corner Saturday night as well as on a Memorial Cup broadcast on Sportsnet.
“People realize what a great coach he is and what he brings to hockey programs,” Burke said. “He very respected and a great coach and mentor to all the players who have under them.”
Burke said Williamson is slated to undergo a day procedure to correct the problem that caused his heart to race, but that won’t take place until the end of July.
“They want things to heal. There is the fear they may nick something that has been stitched or is healing and get internal bleeding. The preference is to wait as long as they can,” Burke said.
Burke said Williamson is optimistic he will be ready for the IceDogs opening road trip to kick off the 2015/15 season which is tentatively slated to start in Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie.
None of us expected it. We had heard on Friday night he was in the process of getting hopefully getting released.” Bill Burke, owner