An Ode To Colin Wilson’s NHL Career

This past October, I shamelessly made my Twitter screen name “Colin Wilson’s Piercing Blue Eyes.” The reason? I have a huge crush on hockey player Colin Wilson, who recently announced his retirement from professional hockey. During his eleven-year career, Colin has made a name for himself with the Nashville Predators and the Colorado Avalanche.

Colin, a Libra, was born on October 20 of 1989 in Greenwich, Connecticut. His father is former professional hockey player Carey Wilson and his grandfather is former professional hockey player Jerry Wilson. While Colin was born in the United States, he actually was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He got off to an amazing start. When he was a high school student, he was part of the U.S. National Team Hockey Development program. Colin participated in six international tournaments, winning two silver medals and one gold medal.

Also, in 2009, he was the only roster player to have never played a National Hockey League Game to play for Team USA at the IIHF World Championships in Switzerland. I am adamant that the talented-at-hockey gene has traveled through the Wilson family. It’s the most logical explanation for why he was successful at Team USA tournaments.

After graduating from Ann Arbor Huron High School, Colin enrolled at Boston University and played for the hockey team. He studied with the College of Arts and Sciences at the university. Colin’s success continued, as he won the New England college hockey Rookie of the Year as well as Hockey East Rookie of the Year. Things get better, though! Remember, I am very sure that Colin obtained his hockey talents genetically through his father and grandfather because they, too, played hockey.

See the source image — Colin is all smiles during an interview during his time with the Avalanche (Credit: National Hockey League)

Colin was also nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, which ended up going to his teammate Matt Gilroy. In addition, he was the hockey team’s points leader during his second year at the university. Not only that, but he was a First Team All-American, Hockey East First Team, and a Hockey East goals leader. The whipped cream on the pumpkin pie? He was second in goals in the nation during that season, plus his team won the National Championship! Can you say, textbook definition of amazing hockey player? No wonder the Nashville Predators drafted him as soon as they could!

Speaking of the Nashville Predators, Colin spent much of his career with the team, having been traded to the Avalanche during the summer of 2017. He posted amazing stats, including 632 games played, 113 goals, 173 assists, 286 points, 28 power-play goals, 60 power-play goals, 22 game-winning goals, and 2 overtime goals.

I’m sorry, but those are such wonderful statistics. I would be beyond excited to have someone that talented in my life. If I were a sister to someone of that caliber, I would be bragging about how talented my sibling is. If I were a friend or neighbor of someone of that caliber, I would be bragging about how talented my friend or neighbor is. If I were married to someone of that caliber, I would be bragging about how talented my spouse is. I am beyond proud of Colin and his accomplishments.

Colin is also a seemingly nice human. He has been described as one of the most approachable players on the Avalanche roster. He also loved seeing the fans enjoy the team, which to me is a wonderful trait. It proves that he appreciates the love the fans have for the team, and Avs fans are loyal! They adore the team through thick and thin. I can speak to that from experience.

Like me, Colin has struggled with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. This past fall, he wrote about his experience for the Players’ Tribune. It’s something I relate to very much. In the spring of last year, I was diagnosed with the disorder after having suspected of having it since I was in middle school. I have to lock the car I am driving until I hear the beep three times, rearrange dishes until they are in a satisfying order, and wrap the towel around the top oven handle whenever I use the bottom oven. Those are just three of my OCD behaviors.

Colin mentions when he was young, he would constantly count trees when riding in the car, but he thought nothing of it. He also remembers constantly retying his skates until his fingers literally bled, and constantly worrying about getting hurt in college. His OCD lead him to dark places, with alcohol and OCD medicine abuse. I absolutely understand where he is coming from when he mentions that. OCD will mess you up. I honestly feel like I emotionally eat and emotionally window shop online to deal with my OCD feelings. While those are totally different from the ways Colin coped with his OCD, I still relate to his coping mechanisms in a sense.

Colin announced his retirement this past week, after mentioning he wasn’t sure he would be able to return to pro hockey due to his mental health and complications with recovering from hip surgery. He mentioned that he wants to help people struggling with OCD and hopes to open businesses to do just that.

Congratulations on a wonderful career, Colin! I am very happy that you were part of the Avs organization. Best wishes to you during your future endeavors.