STINGRAYS RESIGN FORWARD JOSH WILKINS FOR 2025-26 SEASON

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. - The South Carolina Stingrays, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Washington Capitals and AHL's Hershey Bears, announced today that the team has signed forward Josh Wilkins to an ECHL contract for the 2025-26 season. 

Now entering his fourth season with the Stingrays, Wilkins, 28, has been a strong offensive player since arriving in the Lowcountry, consistently producing nearly a point per game over the past three seasons.

“We are very excited to have Josh Wilkins return to the Stingrays,” said Stingrays Head Coach David Warsofsky. “Josh is a tremendous competitor whose contributions extend well beyond the ice. His leadership, professionalism, and commitment to the community have made a lasting impact on our organization and the city of Charleston. We look forward to the positive influence he will continue to have both on our team and throughout the community.”

Wilkins was a key offensive player for the Stingrays during the 2024-25 regular season, leading the team in points with 58 points (22 goals, 36 assists) across 59 games. He carried that momentum into the postseason, leading the team by scoring with 7 points (4 goals, 3 assists) in 7 games of the 2025 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs. In game two of the first round of the 2025 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs, Wilkins netted his first postseason professional hat trick in a 4-3 overtime win against Orlando.

This summer, Wilkins will be playing for Team 3ICE Tennessee in the 3ICE professional three-on-three summer ice hockey league before returning to the Lowcountry this fall.

“I’m excited to be back, Wilkins said. “It’s been a great opportunity to be able to play for the Stingrays for the past three seasons. I’m really motivated to win this year, so I’m going to do my part in helping us achieve that.”

Josh enters his sixth season of professional hockey with experience across multiple leagues, including 81 AHL games split between the Milwaukee Admirals and Tucson Roadrunners, where he recorded 20 points (6 goals, 14 assists). 

During his time in the ECHL, Wilkins has been a consistent offensive presence, totaling 158 points (63 goals, 95 assists) in 163 games. A product of Providence College, Wilkins has also skated overseas, suiting up for Sweden’s Hockey Allsvenskan during the 2021-22 campaign and spending part of the 2023-24 season in Slovakia with HK Dukla Michalovce.

Wilkins becomes the first player to sign with the Stingrays for the 2025-26 season.

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The Stingrays' 2025-2026 season begins on Saturday, October 18th, with the Home Opener against the Norfolk Admirals at 6:05 p.m. The full schedule can be viewed on our website here.

2025-26 Season ticket plans are on sale now! For more information or to purchase, contact the Stingrays by phone at 843-744-7418 or submit this form.

Save money with group tickets! For more information or to purchase, contact the Stingrays by phone at 843-744-7418 or submit this form.

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