Dave (Tiger) Williams, what can I say? He is one of my all-time favorite National Hockey League (NHL) Tough Guys. I loved him in Toronto, and I super loved him In Vancouver.
Dave (Tiger) Williams)
David James “Tiger” Williams was born February 3, 1954, in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada.
William’s professional hockey career began when he was drafted 33rd overall in the 1974 World Hockey Association Amateur Draft (WHA) in the third round by the Cincinnati Stingers. Williams was also drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL of that same year (1974) in the second round (31st overall). With a choice between the two selections, Williams chose to play for the Maple Leafs.
Upon entering the National Hockey League (NHL), Williams quickly made a name for himself as an enforcer. Williams was tough as nails and would always be willing to take on the opposition’s tough guys. Unlike many of the tough guys of William’s time in the NHL, he could score.
Williams made his National Hockey League debut on January 7, 1975, playing against the New York Islanders. Williams played nearly six full seasons in Toronto and became a fan favorite. On February 18, 1980, fifty-five games into the 1979-1980 season, Williams was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Rick Vaive and Bill Derlago.
In William’s first full season with Vancouver,1980-1981, he scored a career-high 35 goals and 62 points while compiling a league-high 343 penalty minutes in 77 games. Williams impressed so much that season that he has rewarded a place in the All-Star game, playing on a line with Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy.
Williams played on five NHL teams during his career. Toronto, Vancouver, Detroit, Los Angeles, and the Hartford Whalers.
William’s best and most successful years were in Vancouver. He was a major catalyst in helping the mediocre but hard-working Canucks to their first Stanley Cup Final in franchise history in 1981-1982. That year Williams and the towel-waving Canucks, led by head coach Roger Nielson, went on an improbable run to the Final, defeating the Calgary Flames in three straight. The Los Angeles Kings in five games, followed by the Chicago Blackhawks in five games, and a date in the Final against the heavily favored New York Islanders. It was here that the Cinderella run came to an end in four close but hard-fought games.
William’s NHL career ended during the 1987-1988 season. The Hartford Whalers placed him on waivers, and he was subsequently released on February 12, 1988. He officially retired in 1988.
Side Notes
During Williams Western Hockey League (WHL) playing days with the Swift Current Broncos, there is an esoteric story about how Bryan Trottier became disillusioned about playing hockey. Bryan came home for Christmas and told his Dad that he was upset that the coach had him playing defense and that he had begun to hate hockey; because of this, Bryan asked his Dad, Buzz, for permission to quit. Bryan’s Dad told him you’re free to do as you please as long as you tell the coach. Upon receiving the green light from his Dad, Bryan informed the Broncos coach that he was quitting. Half an hour after quitting, Dave Williams appeared at Bryan’s door. Williams told him, “You’re coming. You’re coming back to play with me.” Bryan replied no, but Tiger was demanding. Bryan gave in to Tiger’s demand and came back to Swift Current. It turned out to be one of Tigers’ worst decisions, as it came back to hurt him during the 81-82 Finals when Trottier and his Islanders swept Williams and his Cinderella Canucks in four games.
While making a guest appearance on the Tony Gallagher radio program, Williams stated that Canucks manager Pat Quinn attempted to have Williams #22 retired by the team. However, the team needed permission from Bob Manno, the previous player, to wear #22. Manno refused the request even after being offered a sum of money.
At the 2002 NHL All-Star Game in Los Angeles, the NHL held the NHL All-Star Celebrity Challenge. The home team all wore #22 in honor of Williams.
Dave “Tiger” Williams Quotes.
“He has a face so flat he could bite a wall,” About Calgary Flames Tim Hunter.
“Cement Head,” About Edmonton Oilers enforcer Dave Semenko.
“They’re done like dinner,” “burnt toast,” and “So far out in left field they’re beyond hand grenade range,” “Put a fork in them” On the New York Islanders during the 1977-1978 playoffs.
Records
- National Hockey League records:
- Most NHL career regular-season penalty minutes: 3,966
- Most NHL penalty minutes, career, including playoffs: 4,421
- Toronto Maple Leaf’s records:
- Most playoff penalty minutes: 240
- Most penalty minutes in one season by a left-wing: 351 in 1978
- Vancouver Canucks records:
- Most playoff penalty minutes: 181
- Most penalty minutes in one playoff year: 116 in 1982
- Most penalty minutes in one playoff series: 51 vs. Chicago in 1982
Career statistics (NHL Tough guys)
Figures in Italics are records broken in that category.
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 1971–72 | Swift Current Broncos | WCHL | 68 | 12 | 22 | 34 | 278 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1972–73 | Swift Current Broncos | WCHL | 68 | 44 | 58 | 102 | 266 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1973–74 | Swift Current Broncos | WCHL | 66 | 52 | 56 | 108 | 310 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 24 | 23 |
| 1974–75 | Oklahoma City Blazers | CHL | 39 | 16 | 11 | 27 | 202 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1974–75 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 42 | 10 | 19 | 29 | 187 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 25 |
| 1975–76 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 78 | 21 | 19 | 40 | 299 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 75 |
| 1976–77 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 77 | 18 | 25 | 43 | 338 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 29 |
| 1977–78 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 78 | 19 | 31 | 50 | 351 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 63 |
| 1978–79 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 77 | 19 | 20 | 39 | 298 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 |
| 1979–80 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 55 | 22 | 18 | 40 | 197 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1979–80 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 23 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 81 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| 1980–81 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 77 | 35 | 27 | 62 | 343 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| 1981–82 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 77 | 17 | 21 | 38 | 341 | 17 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 116 |
| 1982–83 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 68 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 265 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 12 |
| 1983–84 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 67 | 15 | 16 | 31 | 294 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 13 |
| 1984–85 | Adirondack Red Wings | AHL | 8 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1984–85 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 55 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 158 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1984–85 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 12 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 43 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 1985–86 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 72 | 20 | 29 | 49 | 320 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1986–87 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 76 | 16 | 18 | 34 | 358 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 30 |
| 1987–88 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1987–88 | Hartford Whalers | NHL | 26 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 87 | — | — | — | — | — |
| NHL totals | 962 | 241 | 272 | 513 | 3966 | 83 | 12 | 23 | 35 | 455 |
Keep Your Stick On The Ice, Like Tiger.
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