Brian Willsie

Lore & Background

Willsie grew up in Belmont, Ontario, and played minor hockey for the local Belmont MHA teams and the AAA Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs. He won a Western Jr. B. League championship with the St. Thomas Stars alongside Joe Thornton. He began his junior career with the Guelph Storm of the OHL, was named to the OHL First All-Star team, and represented Canada at the 1998 World Junior Championships. He made his NHL debut with the Colorado Avalanche on January 9, 2000, against the Chicago Blackhawks. After five seasons with Colorado, he was claimed by the Washington Capitals on October 3, 2003. With the Capitals, he set career highs in 2005–06 with 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points. He later signed with the Los Angeles Kings, returned to the Avalanche, and had a second stint with the Capitals in 2010–11, spending most of that season with the Hershey Bears and leading the team in goals with 30. He also played in Slovenia, Finland, Croatia, and Sweden before retiring.

Reader's Guide

Brian Willsie's NHL career spanned parts of nine seasons across three teams, with his most productive years coming as a member of the Washington Capitals. He established himself with the Capitals in 2003–04, scoring 15 points in 49 games despite a concussion-shortened season. After the 2004–05 lockout, he led the Capitals' AHL affiliate Portland Pirates in goals (24) and then posted his NHL career highs in 2005–06. Willsie's professional journey included significant time in the AHL, where he captained the Lake Erie Monsters and set a franchise record with 26 goals in 2009–10. He also played in Europe for HDD Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia), TPS (Finland), Kloten Flyers (Switzerland), KHL Medveščak Zagreb (Croatia/KHL), and Örebro HK (Sweden). After retiring, he returned to the Colorado Avalanche organization in a consultancy player development role.

Did You Know?

• He set career highs with the Capitals in 2005–06: 19 goals, 22 assists, 41 points.
• His cousin David Willsie is a Paralympic athlete.