Hurricanes' Williams covering cost for fans adding 'C' to his jersey

Talk about leading by example.

Veteran forward and three-time Stanley Cup championship Justin Williams, who was named Carolina Hurricanes captain on Sept. 13, is offering to reach into his own pocket for fans who plan to add the captain's "C" to his jersey.

"Leadership comes naturally and comes from years of watching other great leaders," Williams said following the captaincy announcement. "Certainly, my current coach (Rod Brind'Amour) is one of them. I'll be taking little things from his leadership and instilling them in mine. It's something I'm very humbled by and very proud of and something I don't take lightly."

The offer runs through the Canes' Oct. 4 home opener against the New York Islanders.

Williams was named Hurricanes captain after teammates Justin Faulk and Jordan Staal split the duties last season.