Tom Wilson was the Washington Capitals’ lone representative at the 2024 All-Star Game held in Toronto, Canada. And while he did more watching than hockey playing this weekend, Wilson made the most of it.
For instance, Wilson was not one of 12 players who participated in the All-Star Skills competition on Friday night, where the eventual winner, Connor McDavid, took home a $1 million prize. So he did the next best thing.
“It’s great hanging with the guys,” Wilson, dressed in street clothes, said to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan. “We got a front row seat here so it seems like a real fun event and just hanging out with the guys, have a couple beers. We got the night off [to] watch the guys go toe-to-toe.”
And Wilson wasn’t just uttering a cliche. He was literally holding a beer on the bench during the interview per the Washington Post’s Bailey Johnson — though strategically out of frame.
Tom Wilson, taking in the skills competition from the bench, just got interviewed by Emily Kaplan — while holding his drink out of frame. Pretty good Friday night for him at all-star pic.twitter.com/GYEnQKOHuY
— Bailey Johnson (@BaileyAJohnson_) February 3, 2024
On Saturday, Wilson officially suited up in his second career All-Star Game after being drafted to Team MacKinnon by pop star Tate McRae days before. McRae cited Wilson’s “grit” for the selection. Wilson wore a yellow All-Star jersey.
Wilson made friends with Sidney Crosby and sat beside him in the locker room. (ew.)
Stall mates 🥰 pic.twitter.com/ABSKPdSYUO
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 3, 2024
Wilson’s Team MacKinnon matched up against Team McDavid in Game 1 of the three-on-three tournament. When announced to his hometown crowd, Wilson was met with indifference, which was a marked improvement from his first All-Star Game appearance in 2022 where he was resoundingly booed by Vegas fans.
In the game, Wilson didn’t score, but he was credited with two shots on goal in 5:59 of ice time. Wilson’s gritty defensive side came out, too, saving a gimme goal for Team McDavid after blocking a Rasmus Dahlin shot with his leg.
Wilson’s Team MacKinnon held a 3-1 lead and seemed destined to move on to the championship game, but they couldn’t close it out in regulation. David Pastrnak and Connor McDavid both scored in the final minute of the second period to send the game to a shootout.
It was there McDavid and Pastrnak scored in the skills competition to eliminate Wilson and Team MacKinnon 4-3.
After the game, David Pastrnak made sure to salute the best goal scorer in the league.
Before departing Scotiabank Arena, Wilson also made sure to enjoy Tate McRae’s performance during the event.
tom wilson and mitch are sat for tate’s performance pic.twitter.com/hd4YNG2ei5
— k (@knieshive) February 3, 2024
Wilson said heading into the weekend that he had over a dozen family and friends at the All-Star Game to cheer him on.
“I’m turning 30,” Wilson said. “It’s a huge privilege to be able to do this every day, play hockey, and be in DC as long as I have. These are the moments that you’re going to look back on later in life when you’re cracking a beer on the couch. All-Star game in your hometown, Stanley Cup, Draft, all that stuff. It’ll be right up there. You have to enjoy the highs and take it all in. It’s a huge privilege and honor to be able to be here.”
