Cooper Wilson is one of four Nanaimo Clippers recruits committed to the team for the 2023-24 season. Wilson played his first two games as an affiliate on Feb. 26 and March 3. (Vancouver NW Hawks)

By Dan Marshall

New Clippers

VIDEO: Clippers get first hand look at recruit, commit to four in total

Mar 6, 2023 | 6:06 PM

NANAIMO — As the Clippers near the end of their regular season their recruiting season is in full swing.

In late January the team committed to a pair of teammates at Mount Academy Samuel Boisvert and Gus El-Tahhan.

More recently the team announced the additions of speedster Ryan Shaw and defenceman Cooper Wilson.

Wilson is from North Vancouver and suited up as an affiliate player for games against Coquitlam on Feb. 26 and Cowichan Valley on Mar. 3.

“I had a great time,” Wilson said. “It was definitely a great thing to experience my first games in the BCHL.

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Wilson is currently playing for the Vancouver North West Hawks at the U18 AAA level and finished the regular season with 23 points in 35 games.

The 17-year-old said he’s a two way defensive who plays a physical game.

He has a good idea already what he’ll need to work on to transition into the BCHL full time.

“I definitely want to improve my foot speed because the BCHL is a lot faster of a league. I also want to continue to work on my offensive game as well and build that aspect.”

Wilson will remain with his U18 through through their playoff run but if the timing works out he may rejoin the Clippers late in the regular season or during the playoffs.

Fellow recruit Ryan Shaw spoke to NanaimoNewsNOW about coming to the Clippers in the fall after completing the year at Westminster Prep School in Connecticut.

“I have a lot of speed in my game and a good skill level. I can get in the corners and get the puck to my teammates but speed is my best attribute.”

The Massachusetts product already has an NCAA commitment to play Division 1 at RPI but intends to play two years with the Clippers before heading off to college.

With a full allotment of graduating 20-year-olds and 11 players leaving the Nanaimo for NCAA hockey over the next two years the Clippers need to continue filling out roster spots over the next several months.

CLIP NOTES:

The Clippers have been in back to back overtime games winning 3-2 over Cowichan Valley on March 3 and losing 3-2 to Victoria on March 1. Nanaimo has played four OT games in their last seven contests.

Forward Kai Daniells continues to pile up offensive stats. He leads the team with 62 points and scored his milestone 30th goal of the season on March 1. Daniells leads the team with 31 goals, eight game winning goals and three overtime winners. He’s on a personal seven game point streak with 11 points in that span.

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