Tom Wilson is no stranger to making hockey headlines, and the Washington Capitals winger was back doing so on Sunday. As the vaunted, gold-medal favorite Team Canada took to the ice for their first practice at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, Wilson, who was expected to be a checking-line forward, took up a first-line spot next to superstar Connor McDavid and teenage phenom Macklin Celebrini.
After not making his nation’s roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off last year, Wilson is one of the few new faces in Canada’s national team camp at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The 31-year-old Toronto native won’t have long to adapt to his new surroundings as head coach Jon Cooper threw him right in the deep end next to two of the top four scorers in the entire NHL this year.
“Obviously, two of the best players in the world,” Wilson told TSN’s Mark Masters after Sunday’s skate. “A lot of skill. A lot of IQ. A lot of speed. Get them the puck, it’ll be in good hands, and get to the net. I think pretty much everyone out there was acclimating to each other, getting used to each other, and leaning on each other. The first day is always fun. It’s going to be exciting to build on it.”
Celebrini – McDavid – Wilson pic.twitter.com/NcPTR24nAn
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) February 8, 2026
While he clearly appreciates the nod from Cooper and the rest of the Canadian coaching staff, Wilson was headed to Italy ready to do whatever was asked of him.
“It means a lot,” Wilson said. “For me, it doesn’t matter where I am. I’m going to try to play my game, do my thing, and I’ll do whatever it takes for this country. If I’m playing with Connor, I’ll try to help him in any way I can and help this team win.
“Doesn’t matter what role it is for me, I’m going to do my best, I’m going to work hard. Just, for now, have a lot of fun, soak it all in, go over the systems, all the new and all the different, and hopefully hit the ground running here in a couple days.”
Cooper has had a first-hand view of Wilson’s strong play this season, watching the power forward tear apart his Tampa Bay Lightning team this past fall. In a 3-2 Capitals victory, Wilson factored in on all three of Washington’s goals, notching a goal and two assists.
The three-point night on October 15, which brought him to the 400-point mark in his career, was an early indication that Wilson was in for a career-best season. He is currently the Capitals’ leading scorer with 49 points (23g, 26a) in 50 games and on pace for his first 70-point campaign.
“Well, first of all, have you met him?” Cooper said Sunday. “He’s just full of life. He’s unbelievable, this guy. He just lights up the room when you come in. He’s extremely positive, he’s really driven, and I see why he’s adored in Washington. What a teammate. Pretty fired up to have him. We all know what he can do on the ice, but he may even be better off the ice.”
Wilson’s linemates, McDavid and Celebrini, also had nothing but good things to say about the man likely tasked with creating space for them and protecting them against probable Tkachuk-brother attacks at the tournament.
“I’ve known him a while, just growing up around Toronto,” McDavid said. “Amazing accomplishment. He’s worked hard to put himself in this position and make this team, and he should be very proud of himself. He’s a great player.”
“I think just his presence, his ability to score,” Celebrini added. “I think you’ve seen that this year. He has so much more to his game than just the physicality and the toughness that he brings. It’s his skill, his finishing around the net, that I think is really important.”
While there is no fighting on the Olympic stage, Wilson has shown several times throughout his career that he can change games without his fists. Although, as Cooper joked, Wilson’s presence will deter any of those shenanigans if they were to somehow break out as they did at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
“That was for you guys,” Cooper told Sportsnet’s Luke Fox, smiling. “Just in case a fight breaks out, [McDavid’s] protected. Everybody needs an F1 (first forward in on the forecheck), right? That big boy there is one of the best I’ve seen.”
The Celebrini-McDavid-Wilson trio has a combined 226 points this season, including 85 goals. Wilson has more penalty minutes (78) than the two combined (54) and has recorded almost three times as many hits (132 to 54). The top challenge for Wilson will be to quickly adapt to the pace and style at which McDavid typically operates.
“It’s one of those things where he’s one of the best skaters in the world, I have a lot of speed to my game, and there’s times where I don’t need to be over where he is because he’s going to catch up,” Wilson said. “So, there’s different things that you get used to playing with different players. You just talk it out. He’s obviously a very smart player. I think a lot of guys were doing that out there today, just kinda figuring it all out. It was fun.”
The Canadians don’t get their tournament underway until Thursday against Czechia. They are not in the same preliminary group as the USA, so any showdown between the rivals will have to wait until the knockout rounds.
While he faces the wait to get on the ice for real, Wilson says he is trying his best to soak up everything he can from a special time representing his country.
“I mean, driving up and skating out onto that ice, there’s just so many moments today that you’re just going to try to remember and take it all in,” Wilson said. “It’s a dream come true, and so much pride to pull this jersey on. It’s the best feeling in the world.
“A lot of time to hopefully reflect tonight, and just think about what little Tom back in the day would have been dreaming of and seeing himself here. It’s just so special, just fun going through it, depending on each other, great group of Canadian guys. It’s awesome. I’m excited.”
