The ice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex is getting crowded.
On Thursday, two more members of the Stanley Cup champion team from last season —Tom Wilson and Brett Connolly–joined the informal practices run by strength and conditioning coach Mark Nemish.
Tom was especially happy to be back.
Brett Connolly and Tom Wilson both made their return to the MedStar Ice this morning. Got a chance to speak with Wilson, more on that to come.
— JJ Regan (@JJReganNBCS) September 6, 2018
“I love it here. I expressed I wanted to be here [for] a long time and they reciprocated,” Wilson said of the six-year contract he signed in the offseason. “So it was kind of good to be on the same page and obviously them showing confidence in the growth of my game and the commitment that I have to the team. And it’s my job to go out there and make it work, continue to grow as a player, and help the team win.”
As you’d expect, @tom_wilso loves playing for #Caps and wanted to be here long term.. So he is!
He was at Medstar today for the first time as camp gets ready to open next week.. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/TZeoAcaVo6
— Rob Carlin (@RobCarlinNBCS) September 6, 2018
The first-line forward got in late last night, but still managed to make it to morning skate.
His girlfriend, Taylor Pischke, documented the couple’s road trip back to DC on Wednesday, publishing an Instagram story showing the Kennedy Center at 10:00PM.
Wilson and Connolly started their training earlier in the summer at Toronto-based Biosteel Camp, an annual four-day camp run by trainer Matt Nichol, which typically culminates in a round-robin tournament between the camp participants.
Wilson captained one of the teams at this year’s Biosteel Camp, and notably did not draft any of his Capitals teammates (which prompted some chirping from both Connolly and Devante Smith-Pelly.)
@tom_wilso can’t even pick one of your teammates? @smithpelly23 https://t.co/febvsgdDPv
— Brett Connolly (@bconnolly8) August 22, 2018
(Team Wilson did not win the tournament, by the way.)
Head coach Todd Rierden was also spotted on the bench.
There was a Todd Rierden sighting at #Caps informal skate today..
There was also a @tom_wilso sighting.. And a @JVranaa sighting..
It’s getting close!! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/lUGyq6TEFb
— Rob Carlin (@RobCarlinNBCS) September 6, 2018
Headline photo: @RobCarlinNBCS
