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Historical Hurricanes: Justin Williams’ Lasting Impact in Raleigh

Justin Williams of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after scoring the go-ahead goal against the New York Islanders. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

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Historical Hurricanes: Justin Williams’ Lasting Impact in Raleigh

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Zach Martin | Last updated Aug 22, 2026 9:05 AM ET

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When it comes to the most clutch players in Game 7 history, especially in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, there is no one better than “Mr. Game 7” himself, Justin Williams. Whether it’s with the Carolina Hurricanes or the Los Angeles Kings, Williams was clutch when it mattered the most. Regarding his time in Raleigh, “J Willy” was loved by his teammates and fans, and still is as the current special advisor to the general manager. All of that to say, when talking about Williams’ legacy in Raleigh, it’s all love for the Stanley Cup champion and 2024 Hurricanes Hall of Famer.

Hurricanes Hall of Famer, Justin Williams

Back in October 2023, the Hurricanes announced that Williams would be the fifth member of the Hurricanes’ Hall of Fame, joining the likes of Rod Brind’Amour, Glen Wesley, Cam Ward, and Ron Francis. Fast forward to Jan. 15, 2024; he was honored with the Hurricanes taking on the Kings, both teams he won a Stanley Cup with, as he was officially inducted.

Before all of that, Williams was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers with the 28th pick of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. During his final season (1999-00) with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Plymouth Whalers, he finished with 37 goals and 83 points in 68 games. Williams was a plus-47 in the regular season. He followed that up with 14 goals and 30 points in 23 playoff games.

Williams joined the Flyers in the 2000-01 season, finishing with 12 goals and 25 points in 63 games. Thankfully for the Hurricanes, they acquired him from the Flyers during the 2003-04 season when he was 22 years old. In 32 games, he had five goals and 18 points.

During the Hurricanes’ 2005-06 Stanley Cup season, Williams had 31 goals and 76 points in 82 games. In the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he finished with seven goals and 18 points in 25 games. If anyone asks about Game 7 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Final, one of the first memories will be of Williams jumping into Eric Staal’s arms after scoring the empty-net goal to seal the deal.

Williams was eventually traded to the Kings during the 2008-09 season, after tallying three goals and 10 points in 32 games. He went on to win the 2012 and 2014 Stanley Cups with the Kings, along with the Conn Smythe in 2014.

After playing for seven seasons with the Kings, Williams played with the Washington Capitals during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons. However, nine seasons after being traded from the Hurricanes to the Kings, Mr. Game 7 returned to Raleigh.

Williams reunited with the Hurricanes in the 2017-18 season, at 36 years old, and finished with 16 goals and 51 points in 82 games. Once Brind’Amour became the head coach in 2018-19, he named Williams the captain. Williams, with his former captain of the 2006 Stanley Cup team as his head coach, made the playoffs for the first time in 10 seasons. They also went on a Cinderella run, upsetting the Capitals in the first round and making it all the way to the Eastern Conference Final against the Boston Bruins.

After playing 20 games in the 2019-20 season, Williams officially retired at the age of 38. During his eight seasons in Raleigh, he finished with 128 goals, 188 assists, and 316 points in 449 games. He had 38 power-play goals, 21 game-winning goals, and scored an empty-netter to help the Hurricanes clinch their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

If that was not enough, Williams was coined as the guy to start the “Storm Surge” after Hurricanes home wins. That also sparked the “Bunch of Jerks” era in Raleigh. When it comes down to it, Williams will always be remembered for not one, but two huge moments in Hurricanes history. The first, winning the Stanley Cup in 2006. The second, returning to help the Hurricanes get back into the playoffs. He can now say that he has four Stanley Cups since he is part of the front office that just won the 2026 Stanley Cup.

All in all, when talking about Williams, it’s nothing but fond memories of the former No. 11 and No. 14 of the Hurricanes. He won a Cup in 2006, began a new era of Hurricanes hockey, is a Hurricanes Hall of Famer, and a 2026 Stanley Cup Champion as a front-office member. Not a bad legacy to have in Raleigh for “Mr. Game 7”.

This article first appeared on The Hockey Writers and was syndicated with permission.

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