Photo: @USCISmediaVa
Capitals right wing Justin Williams, a native of Canada, has played his entire NHL career with American teams (the Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings, and the Capitals) and having lived in the United States since he was 16-years old (he is now 35), Williams made the decision in the fall of 2016 to become a U.S. citizen, and did just that today.
Per CSN MidAtlantic’s J.J. Regan, Williams will maintain his Canadian citizenship as well. “”It was important for me to be able to keep my Canadian citizenship as well as be a dual citizen,” Williams said, per Regan, “I have both and now it’ll be a lot easier going through the customs line.”
Williams takes the oath. #Caps pic.twitter.com/KkXBLn0Of0
— JJ Regan (@JJReganCSN) June 10, 2017
Williams’ wife and two children are already natural-born citizens of the United States and that, according to Williams, made the process much easier. The ceremony was held at Gunston Hall, the home of George Mason, and Williams, along with many others, were presented with certificates declaring them citizens after saying the Oath of Allegiance and Pledge of Allegiance. All of the new citizens were also given another gift, jury duty.
Justin Williams getting his certificate. #Caps pic.twitter.com/FhdPGKpAVb
— JJ Regan (@JJReganCSN) June 10, 2017
A pending unrestricted free agent, Williams has recorded 100 points (46 goals, 54 assists) in 162 games played with the Capitals over the last two seasons. Despite his success in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Williams and the Capitals were unable to get over the second round hump that has plagued the Capitals since their unprecedented run to the Stanley Cup Final in 1998. While he’s a popular player in both the locker room and with fans, the Capitals have already made it clear that their main focus this offseason are their multiple restricted free agents and, if possible, one of their unrestricted free agents (most likely fellow right wing T.J. Oshie). This likely means that Williams will be looking for a new home this offseason.
NoVa Caps congratulates Williams on this monumental and deserved accomplishment!
By Michael Fleetwood
Additional photos from @USCISMediaVA
