NEWS

Photo: Carolina Hurricanes

- With files from the Carolina Hurricanes and OJHL

Raleigh, N.C. - Longtime National Hockey League (NHL) player and Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) alumni, Justin Williams, announced his retirement Oct. 8. 

Williams, 39, formerly played Cobourg Cougars (Junior A, OPJHL) and Colborne Colts (Junior C, Empire B Junior C Hockey League) before moving onto play 19 seasons in the NHL. 

In his career, Williams won three Stanley Cup championships with the Carolina Hurricanes (2006) and Los Angeles Kings (2012, 2014) and was a major contributor on each of the mentioned team's cup runs. In 2014, Williams not only won the Stanley Cup with the Kings, but he earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. 

Williams earned the nickname "Mr. Game 7" for his clutch performances in Game 7s of Stanley Cup playoff series'. 

The Cobourg, Ont. native is a veteran of 1264 games in which he played for the Carolina Hurricanes (twice), Washington Capitals, Los Angeles Kings, and the Philadelphia Flyers who drafted Williams 28th overall in the first round of the 1998 NHL draft. Williams captained the Hurricanes in 2018-19 for one season.

He finishes his career with a total of 320 goals and 797 career points. 

In a press release released by the Hurricanes, Williams had this to say about his illustrious career:

"Since I first broke into the league a day after my 19th birthday back in 2000, this game has brought me so much that I will never be able to repay it" Williams said. "The countless experiences, relationships, lessons and hardships will remain with me forever as I move on to the next stage of my life. I've never once taken for granted the privilege it is to be able to play a game for a living, and that is probably why I was able to play it professionally for as long as I have.

"I want to thank every single one of my teammates for challenging me every day to be better. My friend and agent Thane Campbell for having my back all these years. Bobby Clarke and the Philadelphia Flyers organization for seeing the potential in a scrawny kid from Cobourg, Ont., and selecting me in the draft. My first coach Craig Ramsay for giving me an opportunity right away to realize my dream of playing in the NHL. Jim Rutherford and the Carolina Hurricanes for seeing that same potential and allowing me to grow as a player. Phil Anschutz, Dean Lombardi, Michael Futa and the Los Angeles Kings organization whom I will forever be grateful to for helping me resurrect a career that was sliding away, and giving me a renewed confidence in myself at a time when I needed it most. The Washington Capitals organization for the chance to keep playing for championships. Peter Karmanos and Ron Francis for agreeing to bring me back to the place I now call home and finish my career for the Hurricanes. Tom Dundon and Rod Brind'Amour for their leadership and trust in me as a player to bring me back this past year for one last run.

"My family has sacrificed a lot for me to be where I am, so I want to thank my mom and dad for being there for me every step of the way. My sister, Nikki, for being my biggest fan since day one. My wife, Kelly, and my kids Jaxon and Jade for embracing this journey with me. Life is so much better when you have people you love to share it with.

"Thank you, everyone, as I retire from pro hockey."