What’s the best present you can give a young hockey player on his birthday? A shot at the NHL. That’s exactly what Florida Panthers prospect Garrett Wilson received on his 23rd birthday. Officially called up the day after his birthday on Mar. 17, Wilson will make his NHL debut tonight as the Panthers face the San Jose Sharks in the “Shark Tank”. Many prospects within the Panthers system have their names thrown around as future stars in the big league like Rocco Grimaldi, Kyle Rau, and Michael Matheson, but few times has Wilson’s name come up. While Wilson isn’t a flashy or dazzling player, he is certainly a heart and soul character player that is a valuable piece to the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL.
Wilson holds the distinction of being one of few players in Panthers history to be drafted by short-lived GM Randy Sexton. Selected in the fourth round (107th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Wilson was looked at as a solid power forward that possessed a bit of a mean streak as well as the means to put up points as well. Posting 86 points (40-46-86) in 66 games in his final junior season with the Owen Sound Attack, Wilson served as team captain during the Attack’s 2011 OHL Championship berth.
Following that season, Wilson went pro. Signing a three-year entry level contract with the Panthers and finding himself splitting time between the Rampage and Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. Wilson spent the bulk of his first pro season in Cincinnati posting 35 points (17-18-35) in 63 games with the Cyclones and proved to be one of the team’s top players. Wilson posted one goal in 11 games with the Rampage that season.
Wilson’s scoring prowess in juniors did not translate quickly into the pros, but the young Elmvale, Ontario native looked to improve on his rookie season. In the 2012-13 season Wilson again shuffled between both the Rampage and the Cyclones. Wilson played 26 games with the Rampage notching a modest five points (3-2-5) but was a top player for the Cyclones. Potting 29 points (19-10-29) in 38 games during the regular season, Wilson’s two-way play was a driving force for Cincinnati during their playoff run to the ECHL Eastern Conference finals where he posted five points (4-1-5) in 15 postseason games. His strong year in the ECHL did not go unnoticed.
Starting the 2013-14 season in San Antonio, Wilson has found himself as a big part of the Rampage this season, even finding time on the top line. Playing in 60 games this season, Wilson has 24 points (12-12-24) and has adjusted his game a bit from an offensive power forward role, to a more defensive grinding winger. His hard work has certainly paid off as he is set to fill in for an injured Jonathan Huberdeau tonight. The 6’3″, 218 lbs, Wilson will wear number 28 in his first game in the show. Look for Wilson to be active with his body against the Sharks as he will look to showcase the type of physical presence he can bring to the Florida lineup.
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