Colin Wilson (ice hockey)

Colin Wilson (born October 20, 1989) is an American former professional ice hockey forward. He played eleven seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche. He was drafted seventh overall by the Predators in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Colin Wilson
Wilson with the Nashville Predators during the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals
Born (1989-10-20) October 20, 1989 (age 35)
Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 221 lb (100 kg; 15 st 11 lb)
Position Left Wing
Shot Left
Played for Nashville Predators
Colorado Avalanche
National team  United States
NHL draft 7th overall, 2008
Nashville Predators
Playing career 2009–2019

Prior to joining the NHL, Wilson played for the Boston University Terriers in the Hockey East conference. During his sophomore year, Wilson was named to the First Team All-American and Hockey East First Team.

Playing career

edit

Early career

edit

After initially playing with the U.S. National Development Team Program as a junior, Wilson enrolled to play collegiate hockey with the Boston University Terriers of the Hockey East.

After his freshman year with the Terriers in 2007–08, he was awarded New England's college hockey Rookie of the Year, as well as Hockey East Rookie of the Year.[1] He was selected in the first round, 7th overall, by the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Wilson led the Terriers in points in his sophomore season. He was recognized as one of the best players in NCAA Division I with his election to the Hobey Hat Trick, a group of three players nominated to win the Hobey Baker Memorial Award.[2] His teammate, Matt Gilroy, eventually won the award. Wilson was named a First Team All–American, Hockey East First Team, Hockey East leading goal scorer and was second in the nation in total points.[3] The Terriers were ranked the #1 team in the nation for much of Wilson's sophomore season and went on to win the National Championship.

Professional

edit

Nashville Predators

edit
 
Wilson with the Predators in 2011.

Wilson signed a three-year entry-level contract with Nashville on April 17, 2009, following his sophomore season.[4] Wilson made his NHL debut with the Predators on October 12, 2009. He scored his first NHL goal on October 21 against Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins.[5]

Following the 2014–15 NHL season Wilson became a restricted free agent under the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Nashville Predators made him a qualifying offer to retain his NHL rights, and on July 5, 2015, Wilson filed for Salary Arbitration.[6] He signed a four-year, $15.75 million deal with the Predators on July 27, 2015.[7]

Colorado Avalanche

edit

On July 1, 2017, Wilson was traded by the Predators to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a fourth round draft pick in 2019.[8]

Wilson faced his former Nashville teammates in the first round of the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs. He registered an assist as the Avalanche lost in six games, ending their season.

On July 1, 2019, Wilson agreed to a one-year contract extension with the Avalanche worth $2.6 million.[9]

Retirement

edit

On October 29, 2020, Wilson announced that he would likely not return to professional hockey, citing his problems coping with obsessive–compulsive disorder and the substance abuse pertaining from it,[10] as well as his struggles recovering from hip surgery the previous season.[11] On January 5, 2021, Wilson officially announced his retirement.[12]

International play

edit
Medal record
Representing   United States
Ice hockey
IIHF U18 Championships
  2006 Ängelholm
  2007 Tampere

Wilson decided to represent Team USA, for whom he had played at the 2008 World Juniors. At the tournament he was tied for the most goals with 6. He was the only roster player never to have played a game in the NHL selected to represent Team USA at the 2009 IIHF World Championships in Bern/Kloten, Switzerland.[13]

Personal life

edit

Wilson is the son of former NHL player Carey Wilson and the grandson of former NHL player Jerry Wilson. He was born in Greenwich, Connecticut while his father played for the New York Rangers, but he was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba.[14]

Wilson was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder in 2019.[15]

Career statistics

edit

Regular season and playoffs

edit
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2005–06 U.S. NTDP U17 USDP 15 9 7 16 2
2005–06 U.S. NTDP U18 USDP 16 2 4 6 8
2005–06 U.S. NTDP U18 NAHL 34 10 11 21 10 7 1 0 1 8
2006–07 U.S. NTDP U18 USDP 41 19 31 50 32
2006–07 U.S. NTDP U18 NAHL 15 11 13 24 21
2007–08 Boston University HE 37 12 23 35 22
2008–09 Boston University HE 43 17 38 55 52
2009–10 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 40 13 21 34 19
2009–10 Nashville Predators NHL 35 8 7 15 7 6 0 1 1 0
2010–11 Nashville Predators NHL 82 16 18 34 17 3 0 0 0 0
2011–12 Nashville Predators NHL 68 15 20 35 21 4 1 0 1 0
2012–13 Nashville Predators NHL 25 7 12 19 4
2013–14 Nashville Predators NHL 81 11 22 33 21
2014–15 Nashville Predators NHL 77 20 22 42 22 6 5 0 5 0
2015–16 Nashville Predators NHL 64 6 18 24 14 14 5 8 13 0
2016–17 Nashville Predators NHL 70 12 23 35 18 14 2 2 4 2
2017–18 Colorado Avalanche NHL 56 6 12 18 6 6 0 1 1 0
2018–19 Colorado Avalanche NHL 65 12 15 27 8 12 4 4 8 2
2019–20 Colorado Avalanche NHL 9 0 4 4 0
NHL totals 632 113 173 286 138 65 17 16 33 4

International

edit
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2006 United States U17   6 6 2 8 2
2006 United States WJC18   6 0 1 1 8
2007 United States WJC18   7 5 7 12 4
2008 United States WJC 4th 6 6 1 7 4
2009 United States WJC 5th 6 3 6 9 4
2009 United States WC 4th 9 0 2 2 2
Junior totals 25 14 15 29 20
Senior totals 9 0 2 2 2

Awards and honors

edit
Award Year
College
All-Hockey East Rookie Team 2007–08
All-Hockey East First Team 2008–09
AHCA East First-Team All-American 2008–09
Hockey East All-Tournament Team 2009 [16]
NCAA All-Tournament Team 2009 [17]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Boston University: Wilson Named Hockey East Rookie of the Year". NCAA. March 20, 2008. Archived from the original on June 19, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
  2. ^ "Hobey Hat Trick Turns Up Terrier Pair". goterriers.com. April 2, 2009. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  3. ^ "Colin Wilson". goterriers.com. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  4. ^ "Preds sign 2008 first round pick Wilson". NHL. April 17, 2009. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
  5. ^ "Nashville's Colin Wilson gets first NHL goal". NHL. October 21, 2009. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
  6. ^ Vingan, Adam (July 5, 2015). "Three Predators forwards file for salary arbitration". tennessean.com. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  7. ^ Clinton, Jared (July 27, 2015). "Colin Wilson Signs Four-Year, $15.75 Million Deal with Predators". thehockeynews.com. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  8. ^ "Avalanche acquires Colin Wilson from Predators". Colorado Avalanche. July 1, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  9. ^ "Avalanche Re-Signs Colin Wilson". Colorado Avalanche. July 1, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  10. ^ "Addiction | By Colin Wilson". The Players' Tribune. October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  11. ^ Michael Martin (October 29, 2020). "The Things You Can't See". The Players' Tribune. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  12. ^ "COLIN WILSON ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 11 NHL SEASONS". National Hockey League Player's Association. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  13. ^ "2009 Team USA roster". USA Hockey. March 20, 2009. Retrieved November 10, 2009.
  14. ^ Traikos, Michael (June 8, 2017). "Colin Wilson draws into final for Nashville Predators with chance to bolster family's hockey legacy". National Post. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  15. ^ "The Things You Can't See | By Colin Wilson". The Players' Tribune. October 29, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  16. ^ "2013-14 Hockey East Media Guide". Hockey East. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  17. ^ "NCAA Frozen Four Records" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
edit
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Hockey East Rookie of the Year
2007–08
Succeeded by
Preceded by Hockey East Scoring Champion
(with James Marcou)

2008–09
Succeeded by
Sporting positions
Preceded by Nashville Predators first round draft pick
2008
Succeeded by