Francis Makes Pro Debut in Gulls Win

Apr 13, 2025

By Nick Aguilera/SanDiegoGulls.com 

Tonight, the story was all about willpower. 

Will Francis made his professional debut for the San Diego Gulls in their 4-3 overtime victory in Coachella Valley Sunday night. For many, the 6-5, 215-pound defenseman might have looked like a run-of-the-mill rookie in his first American Hockey League game. In reality, the journey to his debut was anything but ordinary. 

In 2020, Francis was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The disease cost him his freshman season at the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2020-21 and most of the next season in 2021-22. It also cost him his 2023-24 season when he battled cancer a second time. And in late 2024, he was diagnosed for a third time, costing him most of his 2024-25 season. In total, Francis was limited to 37 career NCAA games across his five years with the Bulldogs. 

Francis was cleared to return in March and returned to finish off his NCAA season in UMD’s final two regular season games. A few weeks later, he joined the Gulls on an amateur tryout, a cumulation of his determination and commitment to the game that was taken away from him for the longest time. 

"This last time I went through it, honestly, I might have thought this was it," Francis said. "And then I went out and skated for the first time after that, and I realized this is what I love to do. I kind of knew I was going to do whatever it takes to get back to doing the things I love and it was a special day for sure."

The game ultimately meant nothing for the Gulls with the team being eliminated from playoff contention, but for Francis, it was storybook. His father, Jeff, flew in to catch the game, one he surely wouldn’t miss with all he had gone through alongside his son. 

"Super special," Francis said. "I can't wait to give him a big hug right after this, go and see him. And it was huge, like [my family was] my support system through all of this. I obviously had a great support system between my previous teammates. The University of Minnesota Duluth was huge, the entire coaching staff there was in my corner along with the training staff there as well.  

"Family, friends, my girlfriend, my girlfriend's family, they were all huge and just supporting me with anything I needed, whenever I needed it. And I wouldn't be here without them today." 

Along with his family and longtime friends, the Gulls locker room has embraced Will on his journey as well. With a lot of familiar faces from Anaheim Ducks training camps, it was an easy transition to pro hockey. 

"They're welcoming to me and they've been welcoming to the new guys that also came in away from the rink and it's a fun locker room to be a part of," Francis said.