That dream is now a reality.
Wilson, an 18-year-old building labourer from Dunedin, is part of the 20-man squad that will represent New Zealand at the world under-20 third division championships in Dunedin next week.
While he has played at national championship level in front of his home crowd, this will be the first time he has represented his country in front of them.
"It is going to be awesome to hear the crowd cheer for New Zealand, and because it will be the first time my mum and dad have been able to watch me play at that level, it will be a special occasion."
He is confident his team can "perform well" and place in the top two, which would mean promotion to the second division.
"We are a young side with plenty of confidence and I think we have got a team that can push hard and go a long way."
Wilson, a defenceman, has been working his way through the age-group national teams since he took up the sport.
He has represented New Zealand at under-16 and under-18 levels, but it was still a shock when the Ice Blacks' call-up came last month.
"I did not expect it at all. It was a real buzz to be recognised at such a young age and I know it will be a great way to develop my game further."
Wilson will go into a training camp with the Ice Blacks in April when they go to Austria, and he will be part of the team which will contest the division A world championships in Iceland in August.
"That will be an amazing feeling."
He is also going to Canada in September, for an undetermined length of time, to "live and breathe ice hockey" and to compete against "better opposition".
"I have a friend who is Canadian and he knows a few scouts, so I am sure he will point me in the right direction."
New Zealand under-20 coach Stephen Reid said Wilson brings "a lot of passion" to the team and is a "quiet leader who does the hard yards off the ice".
"He has proven he can step up to every grade he has been in, and I am sure it will be the same when he plays for the Ice Blacks.
Wilson was born and raised in Dunedin. He played rugby while attending King's High School and also has an interest in wakeboarding and snowboarding.
He decided to give ice hockey a try in 2004 because he "really enjoyed skating" and he has not looked back.
"I love it because it is a fast and exhilarating sport that you can play all around the world."
