Spotlight: Mikey Wilson and the Dedication to Succeed
Mikey Wilson began his college career back in 2019 in Worcester. But not at Worcester State. Wilson was a member of the Becker College Hawks when the school closed a couple years ago, and he made the decision to remain in the heart of the commonwealth when he transferred to Worcester State. A decision that seems to have paid off, as Wilson, now in his second season as a Lancer, is off to his best start yet.
Mikey Wilson began his college career back in 2019 in Worcester. But not at Worcester State. Wilson was a member of the Becker College Hawks when the school closed a couple years ago, and he made the decision to remain in the heart of the commonwealth when he transferred to Worcester State. A decision that seems to have paid off, as Wilson, now in his second season as a Lancer, is off to his best start yet.
Even though he transferred into a whole new squad a year ago, Wilson recognized “these guys know how to play so it wasn’t that difficult.” Even more reassuring for Wilson when he made the switch from Hawk to Lancer was the man behind the bench. “It was a great fit with Deraney being the coach. He’s a great coach. And I could see where the team was headed to, so I thought it was the best fit for me.” With Deraney leading the charge and Wilson comfortable with his teammates, in just five games into the young 2022-23 campaign, number 23 has recorded six points, including a team leading five goals.
When asked about the secret to his hot start, Wilson gave two simple reasons- confidence and an offseason full of training. Who wouldn’t be confident on a line featuring Wilson, Brigham Neuhold (Edmond, Okla.) and Max Tucker (Kalamazoo, Mich.). They have consistently been a force to be reckoned with when on the ice together. And Wilson is coming off a cross-country summer of training, in which he made stops in Lake Placid, N.Y. and Edmond, Oklahoma. “I trained with my friend and teammate Brig Neuhold,” Wilson explained about why he found himself in Neuhold’s native Sooner state. Working with teammates was key both near and far, as Wilson was also in Worcester “for a decent amount of the summer training with the guys here.”
Moving around the country for hockey is nothing new for Wilson, who grew up in Virginia, then moved to New Jersey to pursue more opportunities playing hockey, before finally ending up in Massachusetts for juniors and now college. Wilson, with another season of eligibility left after this year, has ended up at Worcester State, and with a significant role on the hockey team.
He and his teammates will be back in action Tuesday at Anna Maria for a 5:40 matchup.
~ Chris Wright