Here’s a bold statement: Josh Wilkins is on fire, and the hockey world is taking notice. The South Carolina Stingrays, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Washington Capitals and AHL’s Hershey Bears, proudly announced that forward Josh Wilkins has been named the Inglasco ECHL Player of the Week for December 8-14. But here’s where it gets even more impressive: Wilkins didn’t just earn this title—he dominated the ice with four goals and three assists, totaling seven points in just four games last week.
Let’s break it down: The 28-year-old Raleigh, North Carolina native started the week with a bang, scoring a hat trick and adding an assist in a 6-1 rout against Orlando on Wednesday. He kept the momentum going with a goal and an assist in a 4-3 win over Greenville on Friday, and even in a 5-3 loss to Jacksonville on Saturday, he managed to dish out another assist. And this is the part most people miss: Wilkins’s consistency and versatility on the ice have made him a standout player, not just for the Stingrays, but across his entire career.
Speaking of his career, Wilkins has racked up an impressive 178 points (73 goals, 105 assists) in 183 ECHL games with South Carolina and Florida. He’s also made his mark in the American Hockey League, tallying 20 points (6 goals, 14 assists) in 81 games with Milwaukee and Tucson. Oh, and let’s not forget his international experience—he’s scored 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists) in 57 games with teams in Sweden and Slovakia. This season alone, he’s already notched 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in just 20 games.
Here’s the heartwarming part: In honor of Wilkins’s achievement, Inglasco, the exclusive puck supplier of the ECHL, will donate a case of pucks to the Charleston Youth Hockey Association. Since 2000-01, Inglasco has donated over 53,000 pucks to youth hockey organizations in ECHL cities, proving that their commitment to the sport goes far beyond the professional level.
Looking ahead, the Stingrays are set to return to the North Charleston Coliseum on Saturday, December 20, at 6:05 p.m. to face the Orlando Solar Bears. But here’s the controversial question: Can Wilkins keep up this incredible pace, or will the pressure of being named Player of the Week weigh on him? Only time will tell.
If you’re planning to catch the action, save some money by purchasing group tickets. For more details, give the Stingrays a call at 843-744-7418 or submit this form. And don’t forget to follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest updates.
Now, here’s where we want to hear from you: Do you think Josh Wilkins has what it takes to continue dominating the ECHL, or is this just a hot streak? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears!
