Rugged Cap a real beach bum

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This article was published 28/02/2020 (2021 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Tom Wilson is an accomplished, highly paid member of the NHL’s Washington Capitals and he loves the game of hockey. In summertime, however, his affection for beach volleyball often takes precedence.

When his schedule permits, the rugged right-winger can be seen at pro beach volleyball venues all over the world watching his long-term partner, Winnipegger Taylor Pischke, compete at the highest levels of her sport.

In the stands, it’s Taylor’s dad Garth, the retiring bench boss of the University of Manitoba Bisons men’s team and one of the finest players in Canadian history, who’s available to give pointers.

“I didn’t know anything about volleyball but I’ve watched a ton, obviously,” said the 25-year-old Wilson prior to the Caps game against the Jets at Bell MTS Place Thursday.

“I’ve got one of the greatest of all time as her dad, so they’re always teaching me. You sit with them for a couple of games and you pick up stuff.”

But there’s nothing casual about Wilson’s interest in the game.

Often, he will join Taylor, Garth and wife Cindy on the beach for some impromptu action.

“I can say we’ve had some great matches with me and my wife and Taylor and Tom in places like Switzerland,” said Garth, who was to join his wife and son Dane at Thursday’s game. “We were sneaking on the court when there were openings and he was dying to get out there.

“He’s not afraid to try anything and volleyball’s a very difficult sport to learn the skills. It’s not grab-a-ball-and-start-bouncing it (thing) — you’ve gotta have a lot of technique. He never once was afraid.”

The 6-4 Wilson, suspended often enough to become Public Enemy No. 1 in places such as Pittsburgh and St. Louis, has been able to learn the finer points of a non-contact sport such as volleyball in short order.

“From a guy who’s coached a lot of guys his age, he’s an athlete that has something special,” said Pischke.

“He picked things up real fast and you could see his athletic ability come through and his determination. The guy is incredibly driven in what he does and I can see why he’s been a successful hockey player.”

Wilson, who’s in the second year of a six-year contract worth US$31 million, said 26-year-old Taylor leads a busy life. She juggles a busy FIVB World Tour schedule with partner Sophie Bukovec — the pair is ranked third in Canada — while also continuing to study for her MBA at George Washington University.

School commitments prevented Taylor from attending Thursday’s game in her hometown.

“It makes for some craziness sometimes but I think we both prefer that life over being bored and quiet,” said Wilson. “We like to be on the go and to be involved in each other’s lives. She’ll tell you she likes watching my games and in summer when I get to travel with her around Europe, it’s a lot of fun for me.”

Often there is just too much to do.

The NHL season will force Wilson to miss Garth’s coaching swan song at the U Sports national championship next month but Taylor is expected to attend.

“You want to get a dog and our lives are just too busy,” said Wilson. “There’s stuff like that.

“There are some sacrifices — like the other night with Ovie (Alex Ovechkin) celebrating 700 (goals) and she’s got a midterm exam in the morning and you’ve gotta go home a little earlier than you would’ve liked. But that’s just the way it is. It makes for some days that are pretty hectic but I don’t think we’d have it any other way.”

 

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14