Veteran could benefit Rochester Americans
If ever the opportunity to earn an NHL roster spot existed for a minor-league free agent, it’s on the blue line with the Florida Panthers.
Perhaps that’s why defenseman Clay Wilson, a veteran of four minor-league seasons and 14 NHL games, signed a two-year contract with the Florida Panthers on Thursday.
The Panthers have just five NHL veterans (Jordan Leopold, Bryan Allen, Keith Ballard, Bryan McCabe and Ville Koistinen) under contract. While other free-agent signings are expected by the Panthers, Wilson still should be given a chance in training camp to earn a job.
If he is assigned to the American Hockey League, the Rochester Americans will have a potential all-star on their blue line.
“I’m hoping to come into camp and maybe make it, and if not then be the first call-up type of guy,” Wilson said.
Wilson, 26, was never drafted but has become a very good offensive defenseman in the AHL during his four seasons.
He scored 14 goals, 31 assists and 45 points in 70 games last season with two teams, the Syracuse Crunch and Chicago Wolves. The year before he scored 14-33-47 in 71 games for the Crunch and Portland Pirates.
“He’s a coach’s dream when it comes to playing and competing,” Wolves general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said. “He’s a solid character person and comes to play every night. He’s top 10 as a person as far as the guys who have come through the Wolves.”
The 6-foot, 195-pound Wilson is a very good skater and puck-mover, and is also an elite power-play quarterback. But he’s by no means all offense.
“He’s not the biggest guy, so he’s not going to out-muscle guys,” Cheveldayoff said, “but he still gets in there. And he really closes gaps well. He engages really quick and takes away time and space. That’s pretty much what today’s game is, and because of his skating ability he’s very confident with doing that.”
Wilson was obtained by the Wolves and their parent team, the Atlanta Thrashers, at midseason because the organization needed depth on defense.
A native of Sturgeon Lake, Minn., Wilson played four seasons at Michigan Tech University. He started his pro career with Muskegon of the United Hockey League, then signed an AHL contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins early in the 2005-06 season.
“It’s all been kind of a process for me,” he said. “It’s all been a slow climb. Obviously my goal now is to get to the NHL and play as much as I can.”
