• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Other Leagues
CHL

Tom Wilson – The Next Ones: NHL 2012 Draft Prospect Profile – The Next Great Power Forward

By THW Archives March 5th, 2012

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Tom Wilson THW Close-Up:

Date of birth: 3/29/1994

Place of birth: Toronto, Canada

Ht: 6’4″   Wt: 194 lbs

Shoots: Right

Position: RW

Draft eligibility: 2012

Milan Lucic Bruins

Wilson plays like Milan Lucic (Icon SMI)

I’ve always gravitated towards power forwards in the NHL and Tom Wilson seems to be no exception.  With his mammoth size, bruising physical play and mental toughness, it is no wonder why Wilson continues to move up the rankings charts.  Last year, Wilson only played in 28 games and scored a measly six points, but his presence was felt on the PIM sheet.  As a 16 year-old, scouts knew they were only seeing a single aspect of Wilson’s overall potential.

In an offseason where the Plymouth Whalers gained statesmen JT Miller and Danny Vanderwiel, on top of a solid returning class featuring the likes of Rickard Rakell, Stefan Noesen, Garrett Meurs and Austin Levi, Tom Wilson found himself in an optimum position surrounded by top level prospects to showcase his talents this season.  He has become an integral part of the Whalers’ success this season as the team sits two points behind the London Knights in the Western Conference, good for 2nd overall.

The biggest improvement Tom has made from last season has been his skating.  Where he once was a very choppy skater, Wilson has honed his skills tremendously over the course of a season.  For a “big man” it isn’t very often you see shifty moves like the ones Wilson has, but that’s where his style of play becomes deceptive for other teams.  If he won’t beat you with his body, he will certainly take advantage with his stickwork.  His shot certainly has a great deal of speed behind it, but he needs to work on his release.  A knock on him throughout the season is his consistency; some games he has “it” and some games he doesn’t.

Overall, Wilson is tough to gauge in terms of potential.  He could top out as a top-6 winger capable of putting up points or fit nicely in a bottom-6 role as an enforcer/checking line winger.  The beautiful thing about a prospect of Wilson’s caliber is that he is able to be slotted anywhere in the lineup.  In all honesty, I can see him going in the late first or early second round in this year’s Draft.

Scout’s Honor:

“Punishing winger with decent hands and promise in slot anchoring. Skating is a work in progress but his impact as an imposing offensive corner punisher is undeniable. Not destined to be a 20-goal NHLer, but will have merit down low and in front, as he brings nastiness and grit.” – Jay Carlos, MyNHLDraft.com

“Wilson is a very imposing winger who has thrived with the Plymouth Whalers this season as a forward who brings plenty of size, grit, and physicality to the team’s lineup. Wilson is versatile and has enough ability to play with skilled players while playing a physical role. His skating has steadily improved and his willingness to take the body with his size creates a lot of space for teammates. He’s good in the corners on the cycle and does a good job wearing down opposing teams as well. It is concerning that he only has 6 goals while playing with players like Stefan Noesen, Rickard Rakell, and JT Miller, but Wilson is a player who is likely going to take some time to grow into his frame and find out just how high his ceiling is.” – The Scouting Report

“At 6’4″ Wilson possesses tremendous size which he uses to his advantage. He seems to relish the physical game, uses his size to battle along the boards, drive to the net, and park himself in front of opposing goaltenders to cause havoc. Once he adds some bulk to his frame, he’ll be a force. Wilson has a finishing touch. They may not always be the prettiest goals, but he knows just what to do and where to go to clean up the trash and deposit pucks into the net. He has already established a strong two way game. His skating is above average. We can’t say enough about his physicality.” – 2012 OHL Draft Eligible Players

Statistics:

Bio/Interview(s)/Link(s):

  • Interview with Yahoo Sports
  • Interview with Dan Sallows
  • Interview before Top Prospects Game

ETA = 3-4 years

Risk-Reward Analysis:

Risk: 1/5     Reward: 4/5

NHL Potential:

Top-6 winger

Strengths:

  • Wristshot/Slapshot
  • Stickhandling
  • Size
  • Strength
  • Fighting
  • Positioning

Flaws/Aspects He Needs To Work On:

  • Build up more fluid skating
  • Develop a consistent game
  • Puck control
  • Adding more bulk to his frame

Fantasy Hockey Potential:

Offensive: 4.5/10   Defensive: 5/10

NHL Player(s) Comparison:

– Milan Lucic

-Ryan Clowe

– Zack Kassian

Videos(s):

  • List of his fights
Follow Shawn Reznik on Twitter.
THW’s The Next Ones prospect profile template design architect: Chris Ralph

 

  • Tags
  • 2012 NHL Draft
  • Milan Lucic
  • Plymouth Whalers
  • Tom Wilson
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 18th 3:55 PM
Other Leagues

Windsor Spitfires’ 2010 Grubauer Trade Cemented OHL Dynasty

Jan 18th 3:45 PM
Archives

The Strangest Superstitions in NHL History

Jan 18th 3:35 PM
Florida Panthers

Newest Panthers Make Their Mark in the Season Opener

Jan 18th 3:25 PM
Montreal Canadiens

Prospects News & Rumors: Robertson, Caufield, Clarke & Harrison

Jan 18th 3:10 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Oilers News & Rumors: Yamamoto, Kahun, Bear, Goalie News, More

Jan 18th 3:00 PM
Column

Flyers Who’s Hot & Who’s Not: Konecny, Hart, Voracek & More

Jan 18th 2:50 PM
Ottawa Senators

From the Senators’ Chambers: White Will Get His Chances

Jan 18th 2:40 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Weekly: Goalie Controversy, Injuries, Waivers and More

Jan 18th 2:30 PM
Column

Oilers Weekly: Inconsistent Play, Goalie Carousel & COVID-19

Jan 18th 1:35 PM
Column

NHL Players of the Week: McDavid, Stamkos & More

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information