NHL-spelaren Juha Widing och icke NHL-spelaren "Lill-strimma"

Widing, although born in Finland, grew up in Sweden and both his parents were Swedish. In 1964, along with his family, he moved to Brandon, Manitoba, Canada to play junior hockey for the Brandon Wheat Kings. He played three seasons there, improving his point total each season from 38 to 114 and then finally to 144 in only a 50-game schedule. Widing joined the New York Rangers of the NHL in 1969-70, however after only forty-four games he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings along with Real Lemieux for Ted Irvine. It was in LA where he developed into a legitimate scoring threat, garnering at least 55 points in five consecutive seasons.

However by 1976-77 his productivity had dropped considerably, and he was traded to the Cleveland Barons. In 1977-78, Widing played for the Edmonton Oilers of the World Hockey Association, scoring 42 points in his final professional season. After the season, he was traded to the Indianapolis Racers for Bill Goldsworthy, but he was already finished playing hockey. After retiring, Widing settled in British Columbia however he died after a lengthy illness in 1984.

When Widing turn 20, the New York Rangers assigned him to their minor pro farm club, the Omaha Knights of the Central Hockey League. Widing had another respectful rookie season with the Knights, leading the club in scoring with 27 goals. He was tied for lead with 33 assists with Bill Fairbairn. The 1968-69 season saw Widing pick up where he left off the year before, again leading the Knights with 41 goals and with 80 points. He was selected as a 2nd team all-star that year.