Lincoln Chafee: “I rise today to salute a son of Rhode Island, Ron Wilson, who will serve as head coach of the American Men's Hockey…”

“I rise today to salute a son of Rhode Island, Ron Wilson, who will serve as head coach of the American Men's Hockey team. Hockey is not a sport in Rhode Island, it is a passion. That passion enabled Ron Wilson to achieve All-Star status at East Providence High School, and two-time All-American honors at Providence College, where, as a senior, he led the nation in scoring. His college coach, coincidentally, is also a Rhode Islander. Then-coach Lou Lamoriello is now president of the New Jersey Devils and will also serve as general manager of the U.S. Olympic Men's Hockey team. Ron Wilson went on to a successful professional playing career in the National Hockey League and Europe. Today, he is the very successful coach of the local entry in the National Hockey League, the Washington Capitals. He is well equipped to lead our team next month in Japan, having successfully coached the U.S. Team in the 1996 World Cup to a major upset of Canada to win that prestigious competition. The victory was the biggest win for the United States since the 1980 Winter Olympics.”