Popular Post -DLC- Posted September 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 2, 2019 https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/justin-williams-hurricanes-departure-nhl-1.5267936 Quote Justin Williams, who has become known as "Mr. Game 7" in recent years, may have played his last NHL game. The 37-year-old left-winger from Cobourg, Ont., is "stepping away" from the league after winning three Stanley Cups and playing 1,244 regular-season games over 18 seasons with Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Washington and Carolina. "This is the first time in my life that I've felt unsure of my aspirations with regards to hockey," Williams said in a statement released by the team on Monday. "For as long as I can remember, my whole off-season until this point has been hockey and doing what was necessary to prepare for the upcoming season. Because of my current indecision, and without the type of mental and physical commitment that I'm accustomed to having, I've decided to step away from the game. "It's important to me that the focus of attention is on the current, very talented group the Carolina Hurricanes have assembled, as they prepare to build on the momentum and growth we established last season." PLAYER STATS: Justin Williams Williams, who became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, collected 23 goals and 53 points last season before helping the Hurricanes reach the Eastern Conference final in their first post-season appearance since 2009. They went on to lose to Boston. 'I've got to be all in' He added four goals in 15 Stanley Cup playoff games and none bigger than his clutch marker on April 24 that led to an upset of the defending champion Washington Capitals. GAME 7 Hurricanes bounce reigning champ Capitals with double-OT win "I'm going to take my time and make sure I make the right [decision], right?" Williams told reporters at the NHL awards media day in Las Vegas on June 18. "I'm not going to be good if I'm 85 per cent all in. I've got to be all in. That's the only thing that's fair to me, fair to the teammates, fair to everybody." Williams, whom the Flyers drafted 28th overall in 2000, has recorded 312 goals and 786 points in the regular season. He has added 40 goals and 101 points in 155 playoff contests, including seven goals and 15 points in nine Game 7 situations. He won the Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006 and the Kings in 2012 and 2014. Last season, Williams was selected by his teammates as the winner of the Steve Chiasson Award, presented annually to the Hurricanes player that best exemplifies determination and dedication while proving to be an inspiration to his teammates through his performance and approach to the game. If he doesn't [play] ... we'll move on and we'll be all right.— Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour on Justin Williams Carolina head coach Rod Brind'Amour, who golfed recently with Williams, said the player spent the off-season consulting with former players on the pros and cons of retirement. Williams, 37, hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time in 2006 during his first stint with the Hurricanes. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images/File) "I have a pretty good idea where his head is and where his heart is," Brind'Amour told the News & Observer newspaper last month. "He's going to make a good decision … and it's going to be the right one, whatever it is. "From our standpoint, if he plays it's awesome and it's easy. If he doesn't then you know what, we'll move on and we'll be all right. He's obviously thought about it forever. If he doesn't [return] then it's the right thing for him." More NHL coverage Added Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell: "We appreciate Justin's honesty and openness throughout this process, and respect his decision. He's been an important part of our team, but we did prepare our roster with the understanding that he might step away. We are confident in the group we've assembled." The Hurricanes open training camp on Sept. 12. I really admired his leadership qualities and how he could elevate his game to take a team on his shoulders. If he is done, I wish him well in whatever future endeavours he takes on. 3 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post -AJ- Posted September 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 2, 2019 Sounds like he's ready to retire, but struggling to come to grips with that reality. He's had a remarkable career. A top 6 forward for most of his career and even continued it on as he got older. 1 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-DLC- Posted September 2, 2019 Author Share Posted September 2, 2019 Heart of a warrior player. It must be a tough decision to step away...but it shows how very tough it is to get ready for a season. To know what a grind it is and to have to be in tip top shape in order to survive. At 37, I'm sure it's hard to keep up with the gruelling pace of this league...especially as the young kids with speed and skill are stepping into it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YEGCanuck Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 Good layer, great leader. It is not difficult to imagine Willaims in a pro-hockey management role when the time is right for him. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YEGCanuck Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 That's player! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coconuts Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 Sounds like he's leaning towards retiring. It's gotta be tough for most hockey players, stepping away from something that's been a huge and consistent piece of their lives from a very young age. He's got nothing to prove to anyone though. Three cups, a Conn Smythe, 1000 NHL games played, two world championships. I liked him better as a King and Capital than as a Hurricane but he's had a helluva career. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWMc1 Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 21 minutes ago, YEGCanuck said: Good layer, great leader. It is not difficult to imagine Willaims in a pro-hockey management role when the time is right for him. 20 minutes ago, YEGCanuck said: That's player! Sure it is. When was the last time you and Justin went out? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Korea Bob.Loblaw Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 I mean, he was still money last year. Totally could still hit 40 points this year, but good on him for taking care of himself. Easily makes my playoff roster. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6string Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 Hopefully that will put an end to their frat boy dance party post game celebration in Carolina. Loads of respect to Williams a true NHL'er! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuck73_3 Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 1 hour ago, 6string said: Hopefully that will put an end to their frat boy dance party post game celebration in Carolina. Loads of respect to Williams a true NHL'er! Yeah, god forbid players show some personality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6string Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 7 minutes ago, canuck73_3 said: Yeah, god forbid players show some personality. High school the NHL is not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuck73_3 Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 2 minutes ago, 6string said: High school the NHL is not. You wonder why NHL players are boring, any time they show personality lame whining about it starts. Don't like it, don't watch it, and quit complaining about it. The fans in Carolina love it and that matters more than whining “purists” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickenspear Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, 6string said: Hopefully that will put an end to their frat boy dance party post game celebration in Carolina. Loads of respect to Williams a true NHL'er! They can have their little show if they want, the losing team is off the ice right away anyways... However! Every team that wins in Carolina (could be a lot this year) should do the same thing, just rub a little salt in the wounds of the fans. Edited September 2, 2019 by Chickenspear 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putgolzin Posted September 3, 2019 Share Posted September 3, 2019 If I were him I’d do the same. I’d kick back in the summer and live on the dock rather than train. By Christmas you’d be missing hockey so bad you’d want to train to join the team after the all-star break just when they need an injection of leadership. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6string Posted September 3, 2019 Share Posted September 3, 2019 4 hours ago, Chickenspear said: They can have their little show if they want, the losing team is off the ice right away anyways... However! Every team that wins in Carolina (could be a lot this year) should do the same thing, just rub a little salt in the wounds of the fans. OMG imagine that lol... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6string Posted September 3, 2019 Share Posted September 3, 2019 (edited) 4 hours ago, canuck73_3 said: You wonder why NHL players are boring, any time they show personality lame whining about it starts. Don't like it, don't watch it, and quit complaining about it. The fans in Carolina love it and that matters more than whining “purists” Two fave celebrations on the ice for me that come to mind....Tiger Williams riding his stick from centre ice to the goal line in Maple Leaf Gardens - love it to this day. The classic Alex Burrows Bow n Arrow saluting his lost friend and teammate is an all time heart breaker.... I love celebrations but choreograghy/staging completey loses me.... BTW who watches the Canes anyways, their own fans hardly showed up since 2006 SC championship. Edited September 3, 2019 by 6string Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6string Posted September 3, 2019 Share Posted September 3, 2019 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6string Posted September 3, 2019 Share Posted September 3, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuck73_3 Posted September 3, 2019 Share Posted September 3, 2019 22 minutes ago, 6string said: Two fave celebrations on the ice for me that come to mind....Tiger Williams riding his stick from centre ice to the goal line in Maple Leaf Gardens - love it to this day. The classic Alex Burrows Bow n Arrow saluting his lost friend and teammate is an all time heart breaker.... I love celebrations but choreograghy/staging completey loses me.... BTW who watches the Canes anyways, their own fans hardly showed up since 2006 SC championship. 19,038 in attendance with standing room for the playoffs. PNC seating capacity is 18,680. Attendance picked up as the season went on and Season Ticket retention is over 90%. It’s taken some time but with steady ownership with Dundon we're finally seeing the team in Raleigh show they deserve an NHL franchise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mephnick Posted September 3, 2019 Share Posted September 3, 2019 10 hours ago, debluvscanucks said: It must be a tough decision to step away...but it shows how very tough it is to get ready for a season. Pretty much. I work with a few guys who played at a high level (AHL, NHL plugs etc) and they always say the biggest relief when they finally gave up was not having to prep for another season. A couple of them got in to other sports and never even wore the equipment again. If that can happen to a 25-30 year old, imagine being 37 and staring down another off season regime and training camp when you've already accomplished so much. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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