Will Francis talks making pro debut with AHL’s San Diego Gulls

Last weekend was a special one, not just for Bulldog fans but hockey fans alike. University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) men’s hockey alum Will Francis, a three time cancer survivor, made his professional debut Sunday night with the San Diego Gulls of the AHL.

“I was here for three weeks just always practicing with the guys, getting comfortable with them, getting comfortable with the speed. And it was just great. It was a happy feeling, I was super pumped up to go,” Francis said in a post-game interview.

The 24-year-old St. Paul native said he wasn’t sure this moment would come, having been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in March 2020. The cancer relapsed in August 2023, then again in October 2024.

“I haven’t played a lot of hockey this year, unfortunately. This last time I went through it, honestly, I might have thought this was it. And then I went out and skated for the first time after that, and I realized this is what I love to do.”

During his AHL debut Francis, a 6’5” 215 pound defenseman, tallied one shot and two penalty minutes, helping the Gulls come back to defeat the Coachella Valley Firebirds 4-3 in overtime. Francis’ father Jeff flew out to attend the game, making the moment extra special.

“I think it’s just a love for the game. It’s something I fell in love with just skating in my backyard rink when I was four years old. And it’s something that whenever I get out there, that’s kind of my happy place. That’s my comfort zone, just feels great. I think it’s good too for other people. See someone go through hard things, and coming out on the other side of it, it gives people motivation and inspiration,” Francis said.

Francis and the Gulls next take on the Henderson Silver Knights at home Wednesday, April 16.