Colin Wilson

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.

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 Early career 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. 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. 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. 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 Nashville Predators Wilson with the Predators in 2011. Wilson signed a three-year entry-level contract with Nashville on April 17, 2009, following his sophomore season. 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.

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. He signed a four-year, $15.75 million deal with the Predators on July 27, 2015.

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

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.

International play

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.

Personal life 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.

Wilson was diagnosed with obsessive–compulsive disorder in 2019.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs 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 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 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 NCAA All-Tournament Team 2009