Brian Willsie
Brian Willsie was born in London, Ontario, Canada on March 16th, 1978 and is the Hockey Player. At the age of 46, Brian Willsie biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.
At 46 years old, Brian Willsie has this physical status:
Brian R. Willsie (born March 16, 1978) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger.
Willsie was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the 6th round (146th overall) of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft and appeared in almost 400 games in the National Hockey League with the Avalanche, Washington Capitals, and Los Angeles Kings.
Willsie is currently employed in a player growth role within the Avalanche group.
Personal life
Willsie's uncle was an international ice hockey referee, and his cousin David Willsie is a Paralympic athlete.
Playing career
Willsie grew up in Belmont, Ontario's small town, and later joined minor hockey for the local Belmont MHA teams and then the AAA Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs for one year. He appeared on television from 1993-94 before signing with the St. Thomas Stars Jr.B. in 1994-95. The Western Ontario Junior B League is a youth sport in Ontario (OHA). Brian teamed up with St Thomas native Joe Thornton to help capture the Western Jr. B. The league championship is determined.
Willsie debuted with the Guelph Storm of the OHL in the 1995–96 season. Brian was drafted 146th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft at the end of the season. Brian was selected to the OHL First All-Star team and represented Canada at the 1998 World Junior Championships after playing for the Storm for two seasons.
Willsie made his professional debut in the AHL's affiliate of the Avalanche, The Hershey Bears. Brian made his NHL debut with the Colorado Avalanche in 1999–2000, against the Chicago Blackhawks in a solitary game on January 9, 2000. Willsie wasn't until the 2001–02 season that he saw him play in 56 games with the Avalanche.
Willsie was crowned by the Washington Capitals prior to the 2003–04 season on October 3, 2003, after spending the majority of his 5-year with Colorado splitting between the AHL and the NHL. Willsie made his mark in 49 games in a season that was shortened due to a concussion.
Willsie lasted briefly with Slovenian team HDD Olimpija Ljubljana before scoring in just 53 games in the AHL for Capitals affiliate, the Portland Pirates. Willsie's 2005-06 season was a breakthrough for the Capitals, as he set new personal records with 19 goals and 22 assists, totaling 41 points.
Brian signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings on July 4, 2006. Willsie had a downturn in production and was often an extra forward in the following season, appearing in only 51 games in total.
Willsie signed a one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche on July 15, 2008, marking his second stint with the club. Brian, a veteran, was recalled by the Lake Erie Monsters prior to the 2008–09 season as a captain. Willsie was called to the Avalanche, where he spent the season in 42 games and scored his lone goal of the season against the Kings in a 6-5 loss on January 21, 2009. On July 6, 2009, Willsie re-signed a one-year contract with the Avalanche.
Willsie appeared in four games with the Avalanche in the 2009–2010 season, but primarily remained in the AHL to continue as captain of Lake Erie. He set a franchise record and led the team with 26 goals in 75 games.
Willsie signed a one-year two-way deal with the Washington Capitals on July 14, 2010. Brian was recalled to the Washington Capitals by the Hershey Bears for the entirety of the 2010-2011 season, with the exception of a one-game recall to the Washington Capitals. Willsie was with the Bears for a year and led the team in goals with 30 goals.
Willsie signed a one-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens on July 7, 2011. Willsie, a footballer with ties, was named an alternate captain and ended the 2011-12 season as the team's top scorer in 68 games.
Willsie started his second stint in Europe on August 21, 2012, after spending the previous four seasons mainly in the AHL. TPS extended his deal for the remainder of the season and named him captain during the 2012-2013 season. Willsie was already on the third place in the SM-liiga with 24 goals, good for third in the SM-liiga. On February 14, 2013, the team's leading TPS with 24 goals, extending its contract contract extension. Willsie was then invited by TPS to join the Kloten Flyers of the Swiss National League A for the remainder of the season with TPS still in place, with TPS remaining in force.
Willsie and the Croatian club, KHL Medvegreb, have signed a unique double deal with the Kontinental Hockey League, which begins on July 9, 2013. Willsie decided to play with Zagreb from August to October as part of the deal, then honour his Finnish contract with TPS. Willsie was signed with a promise to Medve-Zgreb in the upcoming 2014-15 season. Willsie returned to TPS and collected 25 points in 33 Liiga games before deciding to join a third club prior to the transfer deadline, committing to a two-year contract with rebro HK in the Swedish Hockey League on February 17, 2014.
Willsie decided to leave his academic career and return to work in a consultancy player development role at the end of the 2014–15 season in Sweden.