Actually, the 30-year-old played a big part the last time Northern Districts won the title.
He captained the team for two of his 11 seasons with Northern, including the 2011-12 season when he got to hold aloft the Plunket Shield at the end of the summer.
What some of his new Otago team-mates would give to do that, right? It has been 27 years since the province has won the first-class title.
Otago will begin its quest to end that drought with its season opener against Central Districts in Napier on October 15.
All things being equal, Wilson will make his Otago debut in the game. It will be a big change for the Northlander.
He looked set to spend his entire career with Northern Districts until Canterbury's Dean Brownlie shifted north last season with the goal of opening the batting.
Wilson was suddenly no longer an automatic choice and, when Otago coach Nathan King phoned during the winter, was convinced a shift south could benefit his career.
''It wasn't a straightforward decision,'' Wilson said.
''Obviously, with 11 seasons at ND, it was tough to leave there but I think there might be a bit more opportunity for me down here than there was up there.
''With there being a lot of young guys at ND who have come on in the last couple of years, I was finding it harder to get playing opportunities there.''
Aaron Redmond's retirement opened up a spot at the top of the Volts' order and Wilson will open the batting alongside Black Caps opener and Otago captain Hamish Rutherford.
Ryan Duffy will provide back-up at the top of the order when Rutherford is away with the national side.
Michael Bracewell has the No 3 spot secured with Neil Broom and Anaru Kitchen completing an experienced and exciting top order.
Wilson, who is a part owner of a security fencing business in Whangarei, still has ambitions to play international cricket.
''I want to do well for Otago, obviously, and establish myself. And I still have ambitions to play for New Zealand. I think when you lose that ambition, it is time to stop playing.''
Eleven seasons is plenty of time to build up the odd grudge or two.
But Wilson's reserved approach when sledged meant there was no repair work to do with his new team-mates.
''I did have a few jokes with Wags [Neil Wagner] before I came down here that I was looking forward to playing with him and not against him anymore. We've had some good battles, Wags and I, but everything got left on the park.
''I always think, as a batter, you have too much to lose if you start giving it back because you could be out next ball. I try to let my batting do the talking, that's my theory.''
Wilson is optimistic about Otago's prospects this season.
On paper the team looks better suited to the shorter formats but Broom's return, in particular, strengthens the four-day side.
''We've got a strong squad but obviously we are going to have guys coming and going a bit with the Black Caps, so that will be a challenge. But I think the guys under that level are fairly experienced.
''I think we have as good a chance as anybody.''
Whatever happens, Wilson's approach will not change.
''If I go out and look to be positive, I always find that is how I play my best.''
Kitchen has joined Wilson in the migration south.
The right-hander has played 51 games for Auckland and has compiled a very useful record.
He has six first-class hundreds to his name and averages a very tidy 36.62.
While Otago's batting line-up looks solid, its bowling stocks are not as healthy.
The seam attack will hinge around Jacob Duffy and Wagner.
Duffy was a standout last summer with 45 wickets at an average of 24.06.
Wagner was not quite as effective as he has been in the past but remains a potent force.
Left-armer Craig Smith was the surprise package. He chipped in with 17 wickets.
Warren Barnes has transferred south from Auckland and is an unknown quantity, while all-rounder Sam Wells will be hoping for a more injury-free season.
Black Caps off spinner Mark Craig will miss part of the summer while on national duty, leaving left-armer Nick Beard and leg spinner Rhys Phillips to cover the slow bowling options.
Off spinner Nathan McCullum will captain the twenty20 side but will skip Otago's first two Plunket Shield games and possibly the entire four-day campaign.
Beard took most of last season off to remodel his action, which had been ruled illegal, while Phillips got a late call-up and impressed during his three-game stint.
