Team Canada has surpassed all the expectations heading into the quarterfinal round of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Coach Jon Cooper’s squad has not experienced a single loss, scored 10 goals in a game, and are enroute to an easy gold medal path. Many claim that it was because they had Edmonton Oilers‘ Connor McDavid and San Jose Sharks‘ Macklin Celebrini playing alongside veterans like Pittsburgh Penguins legend Sidney Crosby. However, the Canadian and Tampa Bay lightning head coach praised one player more than others — Tom Wilson from the Washington Capitals.

What makes this Canadian great at Milano Cortina?

It all boils down to Wilson’s grit and passion on the ice. The Capitals veteran has managed to become an enforcer for his Team Canada teammates like McDavid, Celebrini, and Nathan Mackinnon. Against France, he stood up for his teammate and took the penalty so that the other members of Coach Cooper’s squad could cool their heads.

It was precisely this and how Wilson acts as glue guy which caught the attention of the Team Canada head coach, via Dan Rosen of NHL.com.

“That kid is a hell of a hockey player. and outstanding, outstanding in the locker room. Everybody needs an ‘F1,’ and that big boy there is one of the best I’ve seen,” he declared.

Wilson, on the other hand, is just happy to be playing for Canada at the Olympics. He expressed how glad he was that he was that he would not have to struggle against McDavid, Celebrini, and Crosby unlike his time with the Capitals.

“I just feel very privileged and very lucky to be in this position to wear this jersey at the Winter Olympics and try to help my team win. I’m proud to be Canadian. Winning a gold medal and winning a Stanley Cup is everything a kid dreams of in Canada. Not taking it for granted. I’ve played against Macklin and Connor a lot, and it’s not fun. Playing with them is a lot more fun. They’re so good with the puck. For me, it’s about go get it for them, get it to them, get open and they’ll do the rest,” Wilson said.

There will be times when Coach Cooper pulls Wilson out of the rotation in favor of getting more scoring firepower in the Team Canada lines. However, his presence will be felt as an enforcer throughout this whole Milano Cortina gold medal run.

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