CEC Standout Clay Wilson To Join US National Team On Monday

Apr 15

Wes Vork-NSO

USA Hockey has announced former CEC standout and current Florida Panthers defenseman Clay Wilson has been named to the U.S. Mens National team that will compete at the 75th International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship, April 29 – May 15 2011, in Bratislava and Kosice, Slovakia.

Wilson, who will head to Slovakia on April 25 to join the team, explained to Northland Sports Online. “This is a very pleasant surprise, something I didn’t expect, but it is a great opportunity.”

The World Championships are an annual hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport’s highest profile annual international tournament.

Wilson, a 2001 graduate of Carlton High School played collegiately at Michigan Tech and made his pro debut in 2008 with the Columbus Blue Jackets, scoring a goal and an assist in only his second game. In July of 2009 Wilson signed a 2-year contract with the Florida Panthers. This season he and saw action in 15 games for the Panthers, scoring 3 goals and 2 assists with a plus 4 plus/minus rating.

The world championships will be somewhat of an extended audition for Wilson, who got some good looks near the end of the season with the Panthers and will be a free agent. “I was called up because of an injury and played in 8 or 9 games. The more ice time I got (he averaged over 14 min per game), the more comfortable I felt and the better I became.” Commented Wilson.

Wilson then went back to the Rochester Americans where he played 66 games during the 2010-2011 season, but was then recalled for the final six games where he averaged 20 shifts and 17.7 minutes of ice time per game for the Panthers.

The US team won the gold in 1960 and 1932 and last medaled in 2004, when they won the bronze. They are coming off the worst showing in team history, finishing in 13th place in 2010. They lost all three games of the preliminary round, eliminating the team from medal competition. Only three wins in the relegation round capped off with a shoot-out win against Italy prevented Team USA from being relegated to Division I and gave Team USA a chance to play for the IIHF World Championship in 2011.

Wilson doesn’t see the poor finish of the previous team as any added pressure, commenting. “It is just such an honor to represent your country. Everyone expects you to do your best and you want to give it your all and do well and hopefully the team will do well also.”

Wilson will be part of a team of 19 players including Panthers teammate Jack Skille, a Madison Wisconsin native and former Wisconsin Badger. Twelve of the 19 players have U.S. National Team experience, having competed in the IIHF World Men’s Championships, IIHF World Junior Championships or IIHF World Men’s U18 Championships. Eighteen of the 19 members on Team USA played U.S. college hockey, including two current players.

Scott Gordon will serve as head coach for the second consecutive year while Greg Cronin, Phil Housley and Barry Smith will serve as assistants.

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com