A Look Back at the Top Three Moments of Justin Williams’ Career in Carolina

Mr. Game 7 Top Three Moments in Carolina

If you were to look for synonyms of clutch, Justin Williams’ name would be right there. His performances over his career earned him the nickname “Mr. Game 7.” Statistically, Williams ended his career with 320 goals and 477 assists in 1264 games. In the playoffs, he had 41 goals and 61 assists in 162 games.

Williams had a great career in terms of points, but what was more impressive was his clutch performances. He shares the NHL record for most goals in game sevens of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with seven (ironically). He played in nine game seven playoff games going 8-1. Whether it’s just rising to the moment, right place at the right time, luck or maybe a sort of sixth sense, Mr. Game 7 played a vital role on any team he was a part of. And it is this intangible asset with tangible results that made Justin Williams such a special player. As all eyes looked at his illustrious career on Monday, today we take a look back at his top three moments in Carolina.

Williams Comes to Raleigh

You have to go back to where it started. Originally drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Williams played two seasons in Philly. Then Williams came to Raleigh in exchange for Danny Markov in 2004. With back-to-back 30 goal seasons, he really helped push the Hurricanes forward. This including helping Carolina win its only Stanley Cup Championship in 2006.

Prior to the first Williams era in Carolina, the Hurricanes had a surprising run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2002. They ultimately lost the Detroit Red Wings but expectations rose for the team. Unfortunately, the next season was a disaster and the team finished dead last in the league. This brought on change for the team including the Williams trade. While Markov was a more veteran defenceman that provided value to the team, then GM Jim Rutherford decided to take a swing on the younger Justin Williams. And it paid off.

Then the NHL missed a season in 2004-05 due to lockout. But then the 2005-06 season started and the Hurricanes surprised the hockey world. Williams scored 31 goals that season and seven in the playoffs. With some clutch performances (see below), Williams was a significant piece of the 2006 Stanely Cup Championship winning team. He followed that season with another 30+ goal scoring year even though the team ultimately disappointed and missed the playoffs. He played partial seasons the next two until being traded to Los Angeles. This is around the time the “dark ages” for Hurricanes hockey came to fruition. They would have a playoff appearance in 2008-09 following Williams move to Los Angeles but wouldn’t see the playoffs again until 2019 (more on that below).

So why is acquiring Williams one of the top three moments for him as far as Carolina is concerned? Because it almost instantly took the team from basement dweller to Stanely Cup Champion. Even though it wasn’t a major trade, any trade that leads to a significant Stanely Cup winning piece is huge. While other moves contributed to the team’s success, Justin Williams was one of the heartbeats of the team during his stint. And his solid play combined with his clutch performances changed Carolina from nothing to something. But he would be a part of that again…..

Williams Named Captain of Carolina in 2018

Following four seasons in Carolina, Williams was part of a three-team trade that ultimately landed him in Los Angeles. There he played five seasons and helped the Kings win two Stanley Cup Championships. Following his time out West, he signed with the Washington Capitals and played there for two seasons. Then, in 2017 Williams came back to Carolina as a Hurricane in free agency. On a two year deal, Williams’ return was met with much fanfare in Carolina. At that time, the team was looking for some leadership and spark. They were still in their decade long playoff drought and times were tough. Relocation rumours swirled but a new sheriff was in town as new owner Tom Dundon and GM Don Waddell took over.

Ok so you could argue that his actual return to Carolina was the key moment here. But I’d argue it was actually him becoming a captain that was bigger. For one, it was that year that the Hurricanes broke their playoff drought. There is also a correlation with 2006 teammate Rod Brind’Amour naming Williams captain in his first year as the head coach. Previously under Bill Peters there was a weird co-captain arrangement with Jordan Staal and Justin Faulk. It didn’t work. But with Brind’Amour and Williams leading the charge, things would change.

Even at the later stages of his career, Williams was an instrumental piece of the team in 2018. He scored 23 goals in a full 82 game season. But it was the intangibles he brought that changed the team that year. He was a large part of the infamous “Storm Surge” that brought fans out of their seats and others across the league shaking their heads. But regardless, it created a buzz in Carolina that no one had seen for years. They would surprise everyone by taking down the high-flying Washington Capitals in round one. And the series clincher? An overtime Brock McGinn goal from none other than Mr. Game 7.

So again, while Williams coming back to Carolina was big, him becoming captain really directed the team into what we see now. The team has made the playoffs every year since then and is pushing for another Stanley Cup. The players who were younger when Williams played like Sebastian Aho, Jaccob Slavin, and Andrei Svechnikov have matured and are entering their primes. But without Williams taking over for the team on the ice in 2018, it’s hard to say whether the team would have been on an upward trajectory or not.

Congratulations, You are a Stanely Cup Champion

The other moments mentioned above had major effects on the team down the road with lasting impacts. But this next moment would put a banner in PNC Arena and a moment for Hurricanes hockey that will last forever, regardless of the future.

The clutch performances from Justin Williams during the Hurricanes Stanley Cup run in 2006 were on full display during the playoffs. He put up seven goals and 11 assists during those playoffs. For example, in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Buffalo Sabres, Williams had two assists and a goal in the Hurricanes 4-2 victory. This included a helper on Brind’Amour’s game winning goal and an insurance goal with a minute left. But nothing would compare to the golden bullet from Williams coming next.

The Hurricanes took on the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanely Cup Championship. The series again went a full seven games. It was a best of one in Raleigh, winner take all. And it was tight affair. The Hurricanes jumped out to a two-goal lead but Edmonton would answer back early in the third period to make it 2-1. Tensions were high and the crowd at then RBC Center stayed on their feet the entire game trying to help the team in red secure the championship.

With almost exactly one minute remaining in the game and Edmonton’s goalie pulled, who other than Justin Williams would get a breakaway for the empty net goal that would secure Carolina’s first and only Stanley Cup Championship. Not only is it the only Stanley Cup Championship for the Hurricanes, but it is the only major sports league championship any team from North Carolina has ever won. That’s right, not football, not basketball, but hockey. And it’s this empty net goal that replays in Hurricanes fans’ minds on loop when thinking of that special night in 2006. Williams jumped off the ice in excitement as North Carolina metaphorically and to some physically joined in the celebration. This moment marked the epitome of Mr. Game 7.

A Lasting Impact

There’s no secret that Justin Williams was a major piece of the Carolina Hurricanes for many years and stints. Helping the team win its only Stanley Cup Championship and bringing the team back to relevance are marks of his impact. Off the ice, Williams seems to always have a smile and maybe a joke. But on the ice, his leadership showed a determined and focused player with little tolerance for nonsense. Taking on some advisory and analysis roles after retiring, we wish Justin Williams a happy and rewarding life in retirement from hockey. Because the Hurricanes known he certainly provided that to this organization.