Rik Wilson, professional ice hockey player, Died at 53

Richard William Wilson was born on June 17, 1962, and died on January 22, 2016.

He was an American professional ice hockey player.

He was a young hockey phenom in Southern California, Rik relocated as a teenager to Troy, Michigan and then Kingston, Ontario.

While he was at a tender age, he played junior hockey with the Kingston Canadians of the Ontario Hockey League from 1979–1982, he appeared in 151 games, scoring 172 points (54 goals-118 assists), and in 16 playoff games, he had 14 points (2G-12A).

Young Wilson was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the 1st round, 12th overall pick in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft.

In his early career, Rik spent 4 games with the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the CHL in the 1980–81 playoffs, getting 2 points (1G-1A) in 4 games.

Rik moved right into the Blues lineup in 1981–82, playing in 48 games, getting 21 points (3G-18A), then had 3 points (0G-3A) in 9 post-season games as a 20-year-old.

In 1982–83, his numbers had gone down a bit to 14 points (3G-11A) in 56 games and spent some time with the Golden Eagles once again, getting no points in 4 games.

Wilson spent most of the 1983–84 season with the Blues, getting 18 points (4G-14A) in 48 games, but went pointless in 10 playoff games.

He also spent 6 games with the Montana Magic of the CHL, getting 3 assists.

In 1984–85, Wilson would achieve a career high in points at 24 (8G-16A) in 51 games.

Mr.Wilson also had an assist in 2 playoff games.

He started the 1985–86 season in St. Louis, and after 32 games, he gained 4 points (0G-4A).

He was traded by The Blues, along with Joey Mullen and Terry Johnson to the Calgary Flames for Eddy Beers, Charlie Bourgeois, and Gino Cavallini on February 1, 1986.

Mr.Wilson only play 2 games with the Flames, before he was sent to the Moncton Golden Flames of the AHL, where he had 6 points (3G-3A) in 8 games.

Wilson was on the move again, this time to the Chicago Blackhawks on March 11, 1986, as the Flames traded him to the Hawks for Tom McMurchy.

The Blackhawks drafted Rik to the Nova Scotia Oilers for the remainder of the season, getting 9 points (4G-5A) in 13 games.

In 1986–87, Rik Wilson spent the season with the Nova Scotia Oilers, getting 21 points (8G-13A) in 45 games, and had 4 points (1G-3A) in 5 playoff games.

For the 1987–88 season, Rik transfer to the Blackhawks IHL affiliate, the Saginaw Hawks, where he had 9 points (4G-5A) in 33 games, and earned his way back up to the NHL, playing in 14 games with Chicago, earning 9 points (4G-5A).

In 1988–89, Wilson went overseas to play in Europe, where he suited up for EC Villacher SV in Austria, where he recorded 60 points (17G-43A) in 45 games.

On July 19, 1989, Rik Wilson choose to sign with the St. Louis Blues.

He played in 15 games, as a Blues IHL affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen, getting 5 points (1G-4A) before being released.

Following him going back to Europe playing for ESV Kaufbeuren in West Germany, getting 9 points (2G-7A) in 9 games.

In 1990–91, Rik Wilson had played 2 games for the New Haven Nighthawks of the AHL, getting no points, as he played for the rest of the year with EC Villacher SV in Austria once again, getting 58 points (13G-45A) in 44 games.

Rik Wilson spent the year in Italy playing for HC Auronzo, recording 35 points (13G-22A) in 24 games, in the year 1991–92

Rik then made a brief appearance with the Fort Wayne Komets of the IHL, going pointless in 2 games in 1992–93.

He then played in the RHI with the St. Louis Vipers from 1993–96, playing in 55 games while scoring 110 points (35G-75A).

Rik Wilson passed away at 53 yrs old.