As a youth, Wilson played in the 1971 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Toronto. Wilson played his junior hockey in the OMJHL with the Ottawa 67's from 1975–1977, the Windsor Spitfires from 1976–1977, and the Kingston Canadians from 1977–1978. In 163 career games, he produced 154 points, and in 14 playoff games, he registered 9 points. Wilson also played part of the 1976–77 season with the Kalamazoo Wings of the IHL, getting nine points in 13 games. He was known for his both his end-to-end rushes and his penalty minutes in his junior career. Wilson was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round, sixth overall in the 1978 NHL Entry Draft. Wilson stepped right into the Flyers lineup in 1978–79, playing in all 80 games, getting 49 points, along with 197 PIM. Those marks set team rookie records for a defenceman. In five playoff games, he scored one goal. In 1979–80, Wilson played in 61 games, earning 34 points to go with 212 PIM. In the 1980 playoffs, he got 13 points in 19 games. Wilson had his best season in 1980–81, getting 63 points in 77 games, and a career high 237 PIM. He added 12 points in 12 playoff games. Wilson's production slipped in 1981–82, getting 36 points in 59 games, and five points in four playoff games. In 1982–83, he played in 62 games, getting 32 points, and had an assist in three playoff games. On June 8, 1983, the Flyers traded Wilson to the Chicago Black Hawks for Doug Crossman and Chicago's second round pick in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. Wilson appeared in 59 games in 1983–84, getting 32 points with Chicago, then went pointless in four playoff games. In 1984–85, he registered 33 points, and added nine points in 15 playoff games. Wilson had a very productive 1985–86 season, getting 50 points in 69 games. In two playoff games, Wilson had no points. He missed the entire 1986–87 season due to a back injury, but came back in 1987–88 getting 29 points in 58 games. On October 3, 1988, the Vancouver Canucks claimed Wilson in the Waiver Draft, however he did not play in any games in the 1988–89 season due to his back injury. Wilson would never play another game, as he retired after the 1988–89 season.
