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2022 NHL All-Star Weekend

Tom Wilson Brings The ‘Boom,’ Passes 100 MPH In Hardest Shot At NHL All-Star Skills

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Capitals forward Tom Wilson

Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson knew he had big skates to fill at the hardest shot competition as he took Alex Ovechkin’s place at the 2022 NHL All-Star Weekend. And as Tiesto & Sevenn’s “Boom” blasted in the background and fans booed at T-Mobile Arena, Wilson made his hardest shot debut and didn’t disappoint.

Wilson went last and had to beat Victor Hedman’s leading 103.2 MPH shot.

The Capitals winger’s first attempt came in at 96.8 miles per hour, and as he circled back for his second shot, he passed the century mark, clocking in at 101.1 MPH.

Here are his attempts:

Hedman finished first, while Wilson came in third. Adam Pelech finished second, and Timo Meier came in last.

Full Hardest Shot Results

  1. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning, 102.7 MPH
  2. Adam Pelech, New York Islanders, 102.2 MPH
  3. Tom Wilson, Washington Capitals, 101.1 MPH
  4. Timo Meier, Jan Jose Sharks, 100.2 MPH

This is Wilson’s first All-Star apperance as he came in for Ovechkin, who tested positive for COVID-19 and could not attend. No. 43 is there with Evgeny Kuznetsov as one of two representatives from Washington.

Kuznetsov already took part in the fastest skater competition earlier, clocking in last at 14.556 seconds.

Former teammate Zdeno Chara had texted Wilson to congratulate him and offer some words of wisdom for the hardest shot competition.

“He said he always shot better when he was loose and not putting too much pressure on himself. We’ve had some great guys in our room and a lot of experience so that was cool of him to reach out and send his best.”

Wilson is on pace for a career-high 56-point season. He has 13 goals and 31 points through 41 games so far this season and has been a staple on the Capitals’ top line.

While Washington didn’t dominate in the skills department, Kuznetsov and Wilson are having fun — and that’s the main goal.