Tom Wilson's Olympic Dream Within Reach As Capitals Winger Earns Invite To Team Canada's Camp
Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson is on the right track when it comes to cracking Team Canada's Olmypic roster, as he earned an invite to Canada's National Teams Orientation Camp.
Washington Capitals alternate captain Tom Wilson is headed in the right direction when it comes to fulfilling his dream of playing for Team Canada at the Olympics.
Wilson was one of 42 NHL players (26 forwards, 13 defensemen and three goaltenders) named to Team Canada’s National Teams Orientation Camp, which takes place from Aug. 26-28 in Calgary, joining the likes of Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Sam Bennett and more. The camp is a three-day, off-ice event with players and staff from Hockey Canada and includes presentations, team-building opportunities, team meetings and media opportunities ahead of the upcoming season.
The 31-year-old is coming off a career year with the Capitals, where he had 33 goals and 32 assists for 65 points in 81 games, along with 100 penalty minutes. He also helped lead the way in the postseason with seven points in 10 playoff games.
Over the course of the last few seasons, Wilson has emerged as one of Washington’s most fundamental players on and off the ice. He’s a vocal leader in the locker room, and aside from his physicality and ability to invoke fear in his opponents, he logs heavy minutes, plays a reliable two-way game, contributes offensively and plays on both special teams.
The growth in his game is significant, and in turn, has drawn the attention of his country.
"It is (motivating). You think a lot about it, and just to have your name in the mix at all is a huge privilege," Wilson told NHL.com this summer about potentially playing for Canada. "It's something as a kid you could never even dream of... I'm just going to work as hard as I can, do whatever I can, play well and hopefully it takes care of itself."
The Winter Olympic Games will be played in Milan in February, and for Wilson, this is just the first step.