Justin Williams is back in the NHL and, bummer, it’s not with the Washington Capitals.
Tuesday night, the Carolina Hurricanes announced that they signed their former captain to a one-year deal for the remainder of the 2019-20 season. Williams will make the veteran minimum of $700k but could make up to $1.3 million if he achieves several team and performance bonuses.
Welcome back @JustinWilliams! pic.twitter.com/NGCI4XkdKv
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) January 8, 2020
The three-time Stanley Cup champion attended the Hurricanes’ 5-4 overtime win against the Philadelphia Flyers and sat in the owner’s box with Hurricanes’ majority owner Tom Dundon.
Well hello there… pic.twitter.com/7c21JMsCCC
— FOX Sports Carolinas (@CanesOnFSCR) January 8, 2020
Spoiler: the meeting went well pic.twitter.com/u40WSfCVpp
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) January 8, 2020
Williams scored 23 goals and tallied 53 points last season, his most since the 2011-12 campaign with the Los Angeles Kings. “Stick” helped lead the Hurricanes past the Capitals during the first round of the playoffs last season. The Canes were eventually eliminated in the Eastern Conference Final by the Boston Bruins.
It's official pic.twitter.com/SCX65G5u2p
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) January 8, 2020
Before the beginning of the season, Williams announced that he decided to step away from the game. He has been training and coaching his son’s youth hockey team during his break from the NHL.
Welcome back, Justin, and good luck (except against the Capitals)!
More from the Carolina Hurricanes:
RALEIGH, NC – Don Waddell, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed forward Justin Williams to a one-year contract for the remainder of the 2019-20 season. The contract will pay Williams a base salary of $700,000, and he can earn an additional $1.3 million in potential bonuses based on individual and team play in the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Williams, 38, has recorded 786 points (312g, 474a) in 1,244 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 and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2014. Williams has tallied 305 points (120g, 185a) in 429 career games with the Hurricanes, ranking seventh in team history (since relocation) in goals and assists and ninth in points. He is one of nine players in NHL history to score 100 goals and win the Stanley Cup with two different franchises.
“We’ve been in frequent contact with Justin over the last few months regarding his status,” said Waddell. “We’re thrilled that he has decided to return to playing, and we’re confident that adding him to our group will help us both on and off the ice.”
The 6’1″, 184-pound forward was named the 16th captain in franchise history on Sept. 13, 2018. During the 2018-19 regular season, he posted 53 points (23g, 30a) to help guide the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2009. In the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Williams recorded seven points (4g, 3a) in 15 games as the Hurricanes advanced to the Eastern Conference Final. During the 2018-19 regular season, Williams posted his highest single-season point total since 2011-12 and scored 20 goals for the seventh time in his career. Williams was selected by his teammates as the winner of the 2018-19 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.
Headline photo: FOX Sports
