Feb. 14, 2008

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Former Providence College men's hockey standount Ron Wilson `77 and current head coach of the San Jose Sharks recorded his 500th career win as an NHL coach on Saturday, February 9. The Sharks posted a 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators and with his 500th career victory, Wilson moved into a 10th-place tie for most wins in NHL history.

Wilson was a two-time First Team All-American and four-time All-ECAC choice. He was the 1973-74 ECAC Rookie of the Year, 1974-75 ECAC Player of the Year and the 1975 Providence College Athlete of the Year. He also was named to the ECAC All-Decade team for the 1970's. He is still the school's all-time leading scorer (250 points), ranks sixth in career goals (78), first in assists (172) and holds ECAC records for: points by a defenseman (250), season points (87), season assists (61), and career assists (172). His 87 points and four, four-goal games are still PC standards. Wilson is the NCAA's all-time leading scoring defenseman. The four-time leading scorer played in the NHL for seven seasons (Toronto and Minnesota) in addition to a stint in Europe. Prior to San Jose, Wilson coached the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the Washington Capitals alongside current Friar Head Coach Tim Army. He led the 1996 United States National Team to a gold medal in the World Cup. In 1998, he served as the head coach for Team USA at the Nagano Olympics and also coached the 2004 United States National World Cup team. He is a member of the PC Athletic Hall of Fame.