Tom Wilson is said to have ruined the career of a star player!

It is no surprise that Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson often gets the title of the NHL’s most hated man. The guy has a reputation and is well known to get under the skin of his every opponent. 

Wilson is a hard hitter, who was suspended more than once throughout his career and needs no introduction anymore… 

However, he has gotten under the skin of a head coach as well as Columbus Blue Jackets’ John Tortorella - who also has his own controversial reputation across the league - made some bold statement on Tuesday. 

Torts believes that Wilson ruined the career of star player Alex Wennberg, who was a victim of the Caps’ goon during the 2018 playoffs when Wilson caught him in a blind side hit. 

Wennberg, who was 23 years old at the time, was selected in the first round, 14th overall by Columbus back in 2013. During the 2016-17 campaign, he had set up a personal career high of 13 goals and 46 assists for a total of 59 points in 80 games, and so the Jackets signed him to a six-year deal. 

But ever since he was hit by Wilson, Wennberg hasn’t been the same, according to his head coach Tortorella. Last year, he ended the season with a very disappointing 2-goal, 23-assist record for a total of just 25 points in 75 games…

According to Tortorella, since Wilson's vicious hit, Wennberg has become much more cautious and afraid on the ice and no longer seems to want to cut in the center when he enters the opposing territory. But as a center player and game maker, it is his bread and butter! 

Torts added that his young player simply does not want to have the puck on his stick and is constantly getting rid of it now, possibly one of the many consequences of the concussion suffered in 2018 due to Wilson’s hit…

Tortorella does not know if Wennberg will ever be the player he once was and revealed  in an interview with team insider Aaron Portzline of The Athletic that this year will be a crucial one in his career, as Wennberg will have to show that he is able to regain his level of play from the past.