Tom Wilson will hit an impressive personal milestone against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night.
Wilson will dress in his 800th career NHL game, becoming only the ninth player to do so with the Washington Capitals. He will be the third player from his 2012 draft class and the first forward to reach the mark.
2012 NHL Draft games played
| Player | GP |
|---|---|
| Morgan Rielly (TOR) | 837 |
| Cody Ceci (OTT) | 833 |
| Tom Wilson (WSH) | 799 |
| Jacob Trouba (WPG) | 792 |
| Tomas Hertl (SJS) | 763 |
| Hampus Lindholm (ANA) | 762 |
| Damon Severson (NJD) | 756 |
| Filip Forsberg (WSH) | 742 |
Per the Capitals, Wilson ranks third on the team in games played since making his NHL regular-season debut on October 1, 2013, behind only Alex Ovechkin (854) and John Carlson (820 GP). He ranks ninth in franchise history in games played and is just 27 games shy of passing Michal Pivonka (825) for eighth-most.
In his 799 career games, Wilson has recorded 363 points (165g, 198a) and 1,476 penalty minutes. He is currently serving as one of the club’s alternate captains.
“He’s just had such an incredible career thus far,” head coach Spencer Carbery said Saturday. “We still think of him as this young guy – he’s played 800 games. It’s not an easy league to play 200 games in, but to play that long and to play as young as he was when he started and how he’s come in and the maturation process of not only him as a leader but as a father, husband.
“His game has just evolved to so many different layers. He does so many different things from plays in every single situation, plays the right way, the physicality, the scoring, you name it – he’s such a valuable, valuable player, and we are so lucky to have him as an organization.”
Wilson’s wife, Taylor, and their son, Teddy, took in Washington’s morning skate ahead of the big game from the stands at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. Taylor posted a photo of Teddy wearing his dad’s number 43 on her Instagram story.
Wilson made his regular-season debut with the Capitals as a 19-year-old against the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. He would play all 82 games that season under head coach Adam Oates, recording 10 points (3g, 7a) and 151 penalty minutes.
“Your entire first year is a whirlwind,” Wilson told Mike Vogel pregame. “I remember standing there. Can’t remember if we actually went out and watched the banner get up to the rafters, but I remember it being a big night in Chicago and all the different nerves and stuff going into that game. It seems like a long time ago now, but it’s been a heck of a journey and a dream come true. I’ve been extremely lucky to be around for a few hundred.”
Wilson will be the third-youngest Capitals player (30 years, 295 days) to hit 800 games, behind only franchise legends Alex Ovechkin (30 years, 114 days) and Nicklas Backstrom (30 years, 105 days). Wilson spent several years as the right wing on a line with Ovechkin and Backstrom and knows how important the two are to the team.
“Yeah, whenever those names come up, it’s pretty special,” Wilson said. “You know, future Hall of Famers, they’re Capitals legends and good friends of mine. I’ve gotten pretty close to them over the years. It’s always easy to think about all the stuff on the ice they’ve done, but just all the off-ice memories with those guys and different teammates over the years are what I hold so close to my heart, and it’s been a really fun group every year.
“It’s been awesome to be part of this organization. It’s obviously a privilege to be named with some of those guys, but it’s really a lot of the guys that have helped me get here, the coaches, the teammates, and everybody that I grew up with, my family and stuff. It’s been a heck of a ride and a lot of great people along the way.”
A mainstay in our lineup, our community and our hearts!
Congrats @tom_wilso on becoming the third-youngest player in franchise history to reach the 800-game mark.#ALLCAPS | @LeidosInc pic.twitter.com/3Zv8Z7cTd8
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 18, 2025
Barring something very unforeseen, Wilson will eventually hit the 1,000-game mark with the Capitals and likely add many more games on top of that. The 30-year-old winger is committed to the Capitals through the 2030-31 campaign after signing a seven-year extension with the club in August 2023.
With Ovechkin already in the twilight of his storied career, the fan-favorite, rough-and-tumble winger is also seen as the likely next captain of the Capitals. The move would make complete sense as not only is Wilson an obvious on and off-ice leader, but he has also been plenty open about loving DC and being unable to see himself playing for any other team in the league.
“I think since day one, I’ve just cared a ton about this team, and I’ve taken great pride in pulling on this jersey and playing for this city and this organization,” Wilson said. “I think when you put in the blood, sweat, and tears with your teammates every night and you pull on this jersey, it’ll take you somewhere. 800 games later, I still feel the same way.
“I can’t ever imagine having to ever play somewhere else. I just love it here, and it’s easy for me to show up and put it all on the line when you have that organization that’s had your back and a bunch of teammates over the years that would do it for you, the guy right next to you. So it’s a huge privilege. You can’t take it lightly. Every game in this league is a privilege, but I just continue to have a tremendous amount of pride for this city, and I’ll keep giving it all I got as long as I can.”
Puck drop for the game against Pittsburgh is scheduled for 7 pm inside Capital One Arena. Wilson is slated to play on Washington’s second line with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Connor McMichael.
