The Capitals forward reflected on his journey ahead of his second NHL All-Star Game appearance.
For Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson, this NHL All-Star Weekend has doubled as a homecoming as he returns to his roots in Toronto.
He's been busy at the ticket booth, too, securing a handful of seats for immediate family and hometown friends to watch him skate at Scotiabank Arena, but he's also used his time to reflect on the long road he took to get to this point.
"It's been crazy, but it's been good," Wilson told reporters on media day. "It's a pretty cool feeling to come back home... It's a pretty cool full circle to be back here. I've been looking forward to and just hanging with all the guys; that's always a highlight for me."
Wilson is participating in his second NHL All-Star Game and will be playing on Team MacKinnon. He was taken in the middle of the pack, with Nate MacKinnon, alternate captain Cale Makar and celebrity captain Tate McRae citing the need for more grit.
The 29-year-old brings just that, but over the course of his career, he's been able to elevate his game to provide more than some heavy hits or fisticuffs year after year. He is on pace for his fourth 20-goal season and is just one of four players to have over 10 goals (12) and 100 hits (189), and he also leads the Capitals in drawn penalties with 24.
Wilson has also developed into a key leader in the Washington dressing room and is something of a captain in waiting, as he's expected to don the "C" once Alex Ovechkin hangs up the skates.
For Wilson, that growth has been huge for him both on and off the ice and it's just something that comes with time. Still, his top priority is going for a second Stanley Cup.
"Your motivation changes a lot, I think your goals change throughout your career," Wilson explained, adding, "You want to do your job, you want to show up every day and earn your NHL jersey and from there if you get All-Star Games, if you get a Stanley Cup, it's all just bonus. I've been fortunate to do a few of them... definitely gives you a taste to kind of want to do more and get back and win again and keep going and keep moving forward."
Wilson has also hit major milestones off the ice and is set to welcome his first child, a baby boy, with his wife, Taylor, this year. He feels well prepared, too, as the Capitals are one of the older teams in the NHL while several players have children.
"I don't know if we set a record around the league, but I've been able to take it all in and pick up some tips," Wilson said with a smile, adding, "It'll change some things. My wife and I are really excited and it'll be kind of the next chapter. Seeing some of the kids around here at things like this and being around the rink, they'll be able to remember that for a long time. I think it's something you can definitely look forward to down the line."
Another milestone that could be on the horizon: a trip to the Olympics. NHL players will be allowed to compete in the 2026 and 2030 Winter Olympic Games, and for Wilson, getting to represent Team Canada is on his bucket list.
"You talk about things on your hockey resume or throughout your journey, guys, I think at least from Canada, would be very excited to be able to say I played in an Olympic game," Wilson said. "I think it's little Tom, when he's a kid, that gets him excited playing for Team Canada and trying to win a gold medal."
Overall, Wilson said that he's been grateful for each experience in his career so far, and that this one is especially close to his heart, considering his hometown roots. And ultimately, the more he reflects, the more he realizes the importance of living in the moment.
"It's pretty crazy. I was talking to a few of the guys on the bus. Like I'm turning 30, and it's a huge privilege to be able to do this every day and play hockey and be in D.C. as long as I have," Wilson said. "These are the moments you're going to be looking back on later in life when you're cracking a beer on the couch, thinking back and reflecting, All-Star Game in your hometown, Stanley Cup, draft, it'll be right up there.
"You got to enjoy the highs and take it all in, because it's a huge honor and privilege to be able to be here."