Stingrays re-sign Wilkins

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – The South Carolina Stingrays, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals and the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears, have announced they have re-signed veteran forward Josh Wilkins for the 2026-27 season.

Wilkins returns for his fifth season with South Carolina after skating in 52 games last year for the Stingrays. The Raleigh, North Carolina native logged 45 points (21g-24a) last season, second most on the club. His 21 goals also ranked second, and was one shy of tying his career high of 22 which he set in the 2024-25 season. In the Kelly Cup Playoffs, he added six points (1g-5a), helping the Stingrays to the South Division Finals.

In his four seasons with the Stingrays, Wilkins has been the team’s leading scorer twice, in 2022-23 and 2024-25. In his first year with South Carolina in 2022-23, he set his career high in points (62) and assists (41). Wilkins has played in 210 games with the Stingrays, striking for 202 points (84g-118a). His 84 goals are ninth most in club history while his 118 assists and 202 points are both 12th most all-time.

Prior to his time with South Carolina, Wilkins spent the 2021-22 season playing 47 games between Vasterviks IK and HC Vita Hasten of HockeyAllsvenskan, the second-highest league in Sweden, finishing with 20 points (9g-11a) that year.

Before going to Sweden, the 29-year-old spent the majority of two seasons in the AHL. Wilkins broke into professional hockey with the Milwaukee Admirals in 2019-20, totaling 15 points (3g-12a) in 56 games. The following year, Wilkins skated in 25 games with the Tucson Roadrunners, adding five points (3g-2a). He also played in five games for the Florida Everblades, notching an assist.