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Tiger Williams

Tiger Williams is the nickname of David James Williams, a Canadian former professional ice hockey player born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, in 1954.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Tiger Williams is the nickname of David James Williams, a Canadian former professional ice hockey player born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, in 1954. He played as a left winger in the NHL from 1974 to 1988 and became known for his physical style of play and record penalty-minute totals.

Early life and junior hockey

Williams was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, and played junior hockey in Saskatchewan with the Swift Current Broncos. Sources describe him as being nicknamed “Tiger” in childhood by a minor hockey coach.

NHL career

Williams was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1974 and went on to play for Toronto, Vancouver, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Hartford over a 14-season NHL career. He was valued for his physical play and also contributed offensively, including a 35-goal season in 1980–81.

Records and style of play

Williams is widely identified as one of the NHL’s most notorious enforcers and is credited with the league record for career penalty minutes in regular-season play. Sources also note his reputation for his stick-riding goal celebration and hard-edged, combative style.

Post-playing recognition

After retirement, Williams remained a notable figure in Canadian hockey history. He was later honoured by the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame for his playing career.

Key facts

  • Played 14 NHL seasons for five teams between 1974 and 1988.
  • Recorded 962 regular-season games, scoring 241 goals and 272 assists for 513 points.
  • Accumulated 3,971 regular-season penalty minutes, an NHL record at the time of his retirement.
  • Selected to the 1981 NHL All-Star Game and played in the 1982 Stanley Cup Finals with Vancouver.
  • Inducted into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame as a player.
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Canadian context

Williams is a Canadian hockey figure from Saskatchewan, and his career is part of NHL and provincial hockey history; he also received recognition from the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame.[1][10]

Frequently asked questions

Who is Tiger Williams?
Tiger Williams is the nickname of David James Williams, a Canadian former NHL left winger born in 1954.
What teams did Tiger Williams play for?
He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Hartford Whalers.
What is Tiger Williams known for?
He is known for his physical style of play and for holding the NHL career record for regular-season penalty minutes.
How many NHL games did he play?
He played 962 regular-season NHL games.
How many goals did he score in the NHL?
He scored 241 regular-season goals.
Was Tiger Williams inducted into a hall of fame?
Yes. He was inducted into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame as a player.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_Williams
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, birthplace, NHL teams, career totals, and penalty-minute record.
  2. Elite Prospects — https://eliteprospects.com/player/52429/tiger-williams
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, nationality, position, draft details, height/weight, and status as retired.
  3. Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame — https://saskhockeyhalloffame.ca/inductees/category/dave-tiger-williams
    Supports: Induction, junior hockey in Saskatchewan, draft details, teams, and penalty-minute records.
  4. Canadian Hockey League / Swift Current Broncos — https://chl.ca/whl-broncos/tiger-williams/
    Supports: Final NHL team, retirement, and career statistics.