Justin Williams Announces Retirement

RALEIGH, NC - Carolina Hurricanes forward Justin Williams today announced his retirement from the National Hockey League.

"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."

Williams, 39, recorded 797 points (320g, 477a) in 1,264 career NHL games with the Hurricanes, Flyers, Kings and Capitals. He is a three-time Stanley Cup Champion, winning titles with Carolina in 2006 and Los Angeles in 2012 and 2014. Williams also won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2014, awarded to the most valuable player during the playoffs. The 6'1", 184-pound forward tallied 316 points (128g, 188a) in 449 career games with the Hurricanes, ranking sixth in team history (since relocation) in goals and assists and eighth in points. He is one of nine players in NHL history to score 100 goals and win the Stanley Cup with two different franchises.
Williams was named the 16th captain in franchise history on Sept. 13, 2018. He played in 162 career NHL playoff games, registering 102 points (41g, 61a). The Cobourg, Ont., native recorded 15 points (7g, 8a) in nine career Game 7s, which is the most career Game 7 points by any player in NHL history. Williams' teams posted an 8-1 record in Game 7s.