Justin "Willie" Williams

Birthdate: 4 October 1981
Birthplace: Cobourg, Ontario, Canada
Height: 6'1
Weight: 176 lbs
Sweater Number: 14
Position: Right Wing
Drafted: Drafted by Flyers in the 1st round (28nd overall), 2000
Marital Status: Single
Trivia: He is the grandnephew of two former NHL players, Jerry and Zellio Toppazzini.

Career Notes

Amateur Career: Spent two seasons (1998-99 and 1999-00) with the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League, recording 41 goals and 54 assists for 95 points and 74 penalty minutes in 115 games.
1999-00: Led the OHL in playoff goals (14) and playoff points (30) as Plymouth advanced to the OHL Finals. Led Plymouth in goals (37), points (83) and in plus/minus (+47, tied for first in the OHL). Named the Whalers’ most gentlemanly player for the 1999-2000 season. Voted the most improved player in the Western Conference in the 2000 OHL Coaches Poll. Played in the 2000 NHL/CHL Top Prospects Game.
2000-01: Was his rookie season. Was tied for 12th among NHL rookies in goals with 12. Scored a goal at Ottawa on 3/26/01 and at Toronto on 3/24/01 (second time this season that we has scored a goal in consecutive games - Oct. 21 & 24). Returned to the lineup on 3/19/01 after missing 12 games (from 2/22/01 through 3/17/01) due to a fractured third metacarpal of the left hand, sustained vs. Carolina on 2/19/01. Was -1 at Boston on 12/19/00, ending a streak of 10 straight games being at even or plus. Recorded two goals and an assist vs. Washington on 11/18/00. Recorded at least a point in each of his first three NHL games (from 10/5/00 through 10/11/00 - 1G,4A). Scored his first NHL goal and added two assists in his NHL debut vs. Vancouver on 10/5/00.
2001-02: Invited to play in the NHL Young Stars Game (part of the All Star Weekend). Winner of the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy as the team's most improved player. Played with Team Canada at the 2002 World Championships.

Profile

Before the 1999-2000 season, Justin Williams was a little heralded prospect. He was drafted by the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL in the 6th round of their draft and hardly seemed destined to become a first round NHL draft pick. The 1999-2000 season changed everything. He led his team in scoring, led the OHL in playoff scoring, and vaulted up in the CSB rankings, from #31 at midseason to #19 at the end of the season. By the time the Flyers picked at #28, he was not only the best player available--he also filled their pressing need for a right wing, a position where they have little depth and less future.

Few people expected Williams to challenge for a roster spot during his first training camp. After all, even Simon Gagné, who is now emerging as the Flyers' next superstar, returned to the CHL for one more year after he was drafted, playing in the Q and in the World Juniors. A rash of injuries at camp, however, gave Williams--along with fellow rookies Maxime Ouellet and Petr Hubacek--a chance to shine. He made the final cut and prepared for his NHL debut. And what a debut it was! 1 goal and two assists against the Vancouver Canucks left everyone asked, "Sedin who?"

Williams mostly plays on the third line, though his long-term future lies as a scoring line right winger. His numbers have tailed off a bit towards midseason--not anything entirely unusual for rookies unused to the long, hard NHL campaign. It's probably particularly hard on Williams--as most generally agree that he's only his listed height (6'0) in skates. He'll need to fill out a bit more to win his battles in the corner (Hmm, maybe he should ask Simon Gagné about his summer workout plan). Still, he has a few tools that can't be taught--blinding quickness and a scoring touch. They'll serve him well as he matures into a veteran in orange and black.

Justin "Willie" Williams

Career Notes

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