Jason Williams (ice hockey)

Jason Williams (born August 11, 1980) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. He played parts of 11 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Atlanta Thrashers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Outside of the NHL, Williams played for Porin Ässät of the SM-liiga, HC Ambrì-Piotta of the National League A (NLA), Kölner Haie of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), Ritten Sport of the Alps Hockey League (AlpsHL), the Nottingham Panthers of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL), and the Brantford Blast and Dundas Real McCoys of the Allan Cup Hockey (ACH).

Williams is a one-time Stanley Cup champion, winning with Red Wings in 2002.

Career
Before playing in the NHL, Williams played parts of four seasons with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He had a successful time with the Petes. He was named to the OHL Third All-Star Team and was also awarded the OHL Plus/Minus Award in the 1999–2000 season.

He was not drafted by an NHL team. On September 18, 2000, Williams signed a contract to join the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was immediately sent down to play for their AHL-affiliate Cincinnati Mighty Ducks. On November 20, 2000, the Red Wings called him up and Williams made his NHL debut in a 6–3 win over with the Nashville Predators. During the game, Williams recorded his first NHL point, assisting on a Martin Lapointe goal. On March 6, 2002, Williams scored his first NHL goal against Sébastien Centomo in a 6–2 win over with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He helped the Red Wings when they went on a run in the playoffs. They defeated the Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, and Colorado Avalanche. They went on to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes four games to one in the Final to win the Stanley Cup. On September 15, 2003, Williams signed a contract to stay with the Red Wings. After the NHL went entered a lockout, Williams decided to head overseas and signed a contract to play for Porin Ässät of the SM-liiga. With Ässät, he scored 26 goals and recorded 17 assists for 42 points in 43 games. He returned to the Red Wings after the lockout ended. On July 29, 2004, Williams signed a contract to stay with the Red Wings. On October 22, 2005, Williams recorded his first career hat-trick in a 6–0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. On August 16, 2005, Williams signed a two-year, $3.2 million contract to stay with the Red Wings. On November 8, 2006, Williams was checked from behind by Raffi Torres, causing his head to hit the ice hard. Williams was left with a first-degree concussion, lacerations to his face, and had to be stretchered off of the ice.

On February 26, 2007, the Red Wings entered in a three-team trade and traded Williams to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Kyle Calder. He played parts of two seasons with the Blackhawks, scoring 17 goals and recording 25 assists for 42 points.

On July 13, 2008, Williams signed a one-year, $2.2 million contract to join the Atlanta Thrashers. He scored 7 goals and recorded 11 assists for 18 points in his 41 regular season game played with the Thrashers. On January 14, 2009, the Thrashers traded Williams to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Clay Wilson and a 2009 sixth-round draft pick. He scored 12 goals and recorded 17 assists for 29 points in his 39 regular season game played with the Blue Jackets. 

On August 6, 2009, Williams signed a one-year contract to rejoin the Red Wings. On November 7, Williams suffered a fractured right fibula after his leg ended up buckling and getting caught under his body as he crashed into the boards.

On February 12, 2011, Williams signed a one-year, $500,000 contract to join the Dallas Stars. He scored 2 goals and recorded 3 assists for 5 points in his 27 regular season game played with the Stars.

On July 26, 2011, Williams signed a one-year, $600,000 two-way contract to join the Pittsburgh Penguins. He played 8 games with Pittsburgh and spent most of his time playing for their AHL-affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

He decided to head overseas and signed a contract to play for HC Ambrì-Piotta of the National League A (NLA).

On July 16, 2015, Williams signed a one-year contract to join Kölner Haie of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).

Williams retired from playing professional ice hockey in 2017.

References

 Other websites 

Category:1980 births
Category:Living people
Category:Atlanta Thrashers players
Category:Canadian ice hockey centres
Category:Chicago Blackhawks players
Category:Cincinnati Mighty Ducks players
Category:Columbus Blue Jackets players
Category:Connecticut Whale (AHL) players
Category:Dallas Stars players
Category:Detroit Red Wings players
Category:Grand Rapids Griffins players
Category:Hartford Wolf Pack players
Category:Ice hockey people from Ontario
Category:Oklahoma City Barons players
Category:Pittsburgh Penguins players
Category:Sportspeople from London, Ontario
Category:Stanley Cup champions
Category:Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins players