Justin Williams
Mr. Game Seven: Three-time Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe winner.
Justin Craig Williams (born October 4, 1981) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings, and Washington Capitals. Williams won the Stanley Cup three times: in 2006 with the Hurricanes and in 2012 and 2014 with the Kings. Nicknamed 'Mr. Game seven', Williams played nine game seven playoff games in his NHL career, with his team sporting a 8–1 record in these games. He currently is tied for most goals in these games with Glenn Anderson at seven, and has the outright record for most game seven points, with 15. Williams won the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player of the playoffs in 2014 with the Kings.
- Draft
- 2000 NHL Entry Draft, 28th overall
- Position
- Right winger
- Stanley Cup
- 2006, 2012, 2014
Lore & Background
Williams was drafted in the first round, 28th overall, by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2000 NHL entry draft. He was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on January 20, 2004, in exchange for defenceman Danny Markov and a 2004 2nd-round pick. On March 4, 2009, Williams was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Patrick O'Sullivan and the Calgary Flames' second-round draft pick. He signed a four-year, $14.6 million contract with Los Angeles on February 28, 2011. On July 1, 2015, Williams signed a two-year, $6.25 million contract with the Washington Capitals. On July 1, 2017, he returned to the Hurricanes, signing a two-year, $9 million contract. On September 13, 2018, Williams was named captain of the Hurricanes. On January 7, 2020, he signed a one-year, $700,000 contract with the Hurricanes. He announced his retirement on October 8, 2020.
In Their Own Story
The arena hums with a low, electric murmur. Third period, 4:12 left, the score knotted. The puck drops in the Kings' defensive zone and Williams is already there, stick on the ice, eyes locked on the opposing center. He wins the draw—clean, no drama—and feeds it up the wing. A hit comes from the other side, a shoulder to the chest that sends him sliding across the boards. He gets up, spits, resets. The next possession, he's in the corner, elbowing a body out of the way, and the crowd roars like a single throat. He doesn't smile. He never does. He just skates back to the neutral zone, sticks the puck, and waits for the next battle. The Staples Center knows exactly what he is, and he knows they do.
Reader's Guide
Williams is a right winger. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2014. He is tied for most game seven goals (7) and holds the outright record for most game seven points (15). His team had an 8–1 record in game sevens he played.
Did You Know?
- Williams was drafted 28th overall in the 2000 NHL entry draft by the Philadelphia Flyers.
- He won the Stanley Cup in 2006 with the Carolina Hurricanes and in 2012 and 2014 with the Los Angeles Kings.
- Williams is nicknamed 'Mr. Game seven' and has the outright record for most game seven points with 15.
- He was named captain of the Carolina Hurricanes on September 13, 2018.
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