Former Pete Wilson ready for next step after graduation
Story by Chris Tracey
It’s not uncommon for junior hockey players to spend years playing in, and traveling to, different cities all over Canada. Moving from Toronto to Ottawa, then Ottawa to Peterborough, Hudson Wilson is no stranger to relocating for hockey. Now, after moving on from the OHL, hockey has taken him even further, all the way to the East Coast.
Wilson was originally drafted in the 3rd round by the Ottawa 67’s in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. He would spend parts of five seasons in the nation’s capital before being acquired as an overage player (OA) by the Petes during the first half of the 2019-20 season. Wilson would be a key contributor on the Petes blueline that season, teaming up with fellow OA Jacob Paquette to form an intimidating duo on the backend. Scoring one goal and 17 assists in 48 games for the maroon and white, Wilson set a career high in points that season, with 21 in 58 games.
Looking back on his time in Peterborough, Hudson loved every second of playing in the Lift Lock City. “I knew the captain there, Zach Gallant. Luckily, he brought me in with open arms. The organization, the coaching staff, the players, everything was awesome.” He felt strongly that the Petes had a shot at the OHL title in 2019-20. “We were a team that could have done something special. I think we all knew it. We never got the chance because of COVID, but it is what it is.”
At the end of his OHL career, the Toronto, ON, native finished with 59 points in 266 games before pursuing his degree at Acadia University. Acadia appealed to Wilson due to its small population and passionate hockey fans, something Peterborough and Wolfville, NS, have in common. “People are proud of their local team and they’re proud to go and support no matter what. You can see that support from the fans and you feel it in the town,” he explained. “ People are talking to you because they know who you are and it’s great to be a part of.”
During his time at Acadia, WIlson has been helping out in the community. Recently, he joined fellow OHL alumnus and teammate Reilly Webb as they both volunteered at Port Williams Elementary School in Nova Scotia. The two helped out students with their math, reading, and writing, among other subjects. “I was just there trying to keep them all under control and make the teachers’ lives a little easier,” Wilson laughed.
Having just finished up his university hockey career with the Acadia Axemen, the Petes alumnus left his mark with 16 points in 74 games, while also graduating with a Bachelor of Community Development.
Four years removed from the OHL, Wilson still cheers on the Petes. Last season he watched them lift the J. Ross Robertson Trophy for the first time since 2006. “I talked to (Shawn) Spearing, he said the town was unbelievable. It was probably everything I would have imagined they would have given us, too, if we got that opportunity.”
With his university hockey career coming to an end, Wilson has his sights set on more hockey. “I still want to play the game that I love. I’m hoping to talk to some teams, maybe go overseas.”
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