Washington Capitals players and prospects have begun returning to Northern, Virginia this week to begin preparations for training camp and the 2017-2018 NHL season. Before returning to Kettler, Tom Wilson is spending the week in his hometown of Toronto, participating in Matt Nichol’s BioSteel Sports Pro Hockey Camp. On Sunday, Tom took time for an interview with The Star.

In the interview, Wilson was asked about his current Capitals’ state-of-mind. “You win the Presidents’ Trophy two years in a row, which is hard to do, that’s a big accomplishment,” Wilson said. “It’s frustrating when you don’t have the success you want when it counts. But we still have a good team.”

“You got to get to the dance. That’s where stuff happens. Every year is different. Another kick at the can. Guys are ready to get back after it.”

On Facing the Maple Leafs
Wilson acknowledged there is a feel of a rivalry when he thinks of a Washington-Toronto game, which may be a good thing since the two teams will play an outdoor game this season at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. “That’ll be exciting,” Wilson said. “There’s a rivalry there, so let’s keep it going. It’s fine by me. It’s fun to play the Leafs.”

Wilson was also asked about facing his hometown team in the playoffs last April. “When I look back in my career that is probably going to be one of the highlights, to play in the playoffs when there is so much hype about the Leafs,” said Wilson, who grew up a fan of the team in Toronto. “It was a lot of fun. My family and friends had a blast. We made good memories, which was a good thing. It could have gone the other way.”

Tom Wilson, “Of All People!”
Prior to the Toronto series, Wilson was slighted by Leafs head coach Mike Babcock, who had suggested the Leafs had other players on the Washington roster to worry about more than Wilson. Tom Wilson (“Of all people”) would have the last say, starting with game 1 of the series:

Wilson scored three times in the series: the overtime winner in Game 1 and two goals in Washington’s 5-4 win in Game 4.

You can read the complete interview here.

By Jon Sorensen