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 34)
Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight221 lb (100 kg; 15 st 11 lb)
PositionLeft Wing
ShotLeft
Played forNashville Predators
Colorado Avalanche
National team United States
NHL draft7th overall, 2008
Nashville Predators
Playing career2009–2019

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

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Early career

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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

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Nashville Predators

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2005–06U.S. NTDP U17USDP1597162
2005–06U.S. NTDP U18USDP162468
2005–06U.S. NTDP U18NAHL341011211071018
2006–07U.S. NTDP U18USDP4119315032
2006–07U.S. NTDP U18NAHL1511132421
2007–08Boston UniversityHE3712233522
2008–09Boston UniversityHE4317385552
2009–10Milwaukee AdmiralsAHL4013213419
2009–10Nashville PredatorsNHL358715760110
2010–11Nashville PredatorsNHL821618341730000
2011–12Nashville PredatorsNHL681520352141010
2012–13Nashville PredatorsNHL25712194
2013–14Nashville PredatorsNHL8111223321
2014–15Nashville PredatorsNHL772022422265050
2015–16Nashville PredatorsNHL6461824141458130
2016–17Nashville PredatorsNHL7012233518142242
2017–18Colorado AvalancheNHL5661218660110
2018–19Colorado AvalancheNHL651215278124482
2019–20Colorado AvalancheNHL90440
NHL totals632113173286138651716334

International

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YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2006United StatesU17 66282
2006United StatesWJC18 60118
2007United StatesWJC18 757124
2008United StatesWJC4th66174
2009United StatesWJC5th63694
2009United StatesWC4th90222
Junior totals2514152920
Senior totals90222

Awards and honors

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AwardYear
College
All-Hockey East Rookie Team2007–08
All-Hockey East First Team2008–09
AHCA East First-Team All-American2008–09
Hockey East All-Tournament Team2009[16]
NCAA All-Tournament Team2009[17]

References

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  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.
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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