Rob Wilson was a steady and reliable defenceman without being a “showy” type of player.  He was born of Scottish parents in Toronto on July 18 1968, making his first mark in the game playing for Sudbury Wolves and Peterborough Petes in the Ontario Hockey League.  Drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins he sadly never made it to the “big show”.  

His debut in this country was with the Swindon Wildcats in 1989 but it was over five seasons later (all played in North America) before he returned in 1994 as a member of the Sheffield Steelers.   The following season (1995-96) he started with the Telford Tigers before rejoining the Steelers a few weeks later.   He was to stay in the Steel City for the next five seasons during which time he was made captain of the side: never asking his team mate to do thing which he could not do himself.  

It was a surprise when in 2000 he joined the Newcastle Jesters.  After just one season with them he left to play a few games for the Italian side Vipiteno only to return to join the Manchester Storm. Sadly this terminated in November 2002 with the demise of the Storm due to financial problems.   

There followed eight seasons in the North East with the newly named Newcastle Vipers. During his spell at the Vipers he became first Captain, then Player Coach before becoming the club’s Bench Coach. Indeed he was voted Coach of the Year 2005-06 the season the Vipers won the playoffs. 

During his successful hockey career he made 34 International appearances for Great Britain

The 2011-12 saw him appointed coach to the Italian side H.C. Neumarkt Egna Wild Goose and when the season had finished there he became Assistant Coach alongside Paul Thompson to the Great Britain team which enjoyed success by winning the Silver Medal at the World Championships held in Kiev.

Written by Stan Dawson