Wilson retired from hockey as a result of injuries to his shoulders and knees. He then enrolled in pre-medical courses at the University of Manitoba, also coaching their hockey team.[2] Specializing in orthopedics, Wilson was given a grant in 1973 to study the subject, along with physical education, at an institute in Stockholm, Sweden. As part of his research Wilson would study the physiology of hockey players, specifically their heart and lung conditioning.[3] As a result, he was asked by the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association to watch out for any notable Swedish hockey players.[2] In Stockholm one of Wilson's interns was Anders Hedberg, a hockey player, and he also tested Ulf Nilsson.[3] Wilson informed the Jets of both Hedberg and Nilsson in 1974, and they would join the team that year.[4]
^ abKirbyson, Geoff (2016). The Hot Line: How The Legendary Trio of Hull, Hedberg and Nilsson Transformed Hockey and Led the Winnipeg Jets to Greatness. Winnipeg: Great Plains Publications. p. 32. ISBN978-1-927855-65-2.