Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE
With the NHL season on hold, much of the attention has turned to NHL prospects, mainly playing in the AHL and various junior hockey leagues. Washington Capitals 2012 first round pick, Tom Wilson has performed well in his first three games for the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL this season, registering three points thus far, including two goals against the Sudbury Wolves last night.
Wilson, 18, was selected with the 16th overall pick in this year’s draft by Washington and hopes to bring a strong physical presence with him to the NHL. He’s still a fairly undeveloped player, not yet showing his full offensive potential, but that will come in time.
He enters his third season with the Plymouth Whalers this season, as he prepares for professional hockey next year. Wilson could spend a full year with the Washington Capitals AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears in the 2013-2014 season, developing his skating and offensive skills against higher level players. Playing in Hershey for a season would also allow Wilson to adapt to Washington’s system and his adjustment would be a little bit easier when moving up to the NHL.
Wilson had his best year in the OHL last season, registering 27 points in 49 regular season games. His postseason performance might have moved him up on the Capitals draft list, as the 18 year old forward posted 13 points in 13 games. Wilson, now an alternative captain for the Whalers, has performed at a point per game rate through the first three games of the season and could reach 45 points season.
Wilson and the Whalers take on the Guelph Storm in their next match-up, looking for their 2nd win of the season.
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