The ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays 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, N.C., native logged 45 points (21 goals, 24 assists) 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 (goal, five assists), 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 (84 goals, 118 assists). 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 (nine goals, 11 assists) 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 (three goals, 12 assists) in 56 games. The following year, Wilkins skated in 25 games with the Tucson Roadrunners, adding five points (three goals, two assists). He also played in five games for the ECHL’s Florida Everblades, notching an assist.

During his youth hockey days, Wilkins spent time with the Los Angeles Jr. Kings.

Photo/ECHL/South Carolina Stingrays

— ECHL Staff

(August 6, 2026)