NHL Defenseman Signs With Frostbite

Published on September 3, 2004 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Adirondack Frostbite News Release


Glens Falls, NY – The Adirondack Frostbite, member of the United Hockey League (UHL), today signed defenseman Neil Wilkinson, it was announced by Frostbite Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Marc Potvin. This will be Wilkinson's 14th season of professional hockey after spending ten seasons in the NHL with five different teams including the Minnesota North Stars, San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Winnipeg Jets, and Pittsburgh Penguins. As per team policy, terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.

Wilkinson, 37, split last season with the Jacksonville Barracudas of the WHA2 and the Fresno Falcons of the ECHL. In 48 games, the former NHL skater had 18 points (2g, 16a). Wilkinson began his pro career during the 1989-90 season after being drafted by the Minnesota North Stars in the second round, #30 overall in the 1986 NHL entry draft. The North Stars assigned the 6'3'' 180-pounder to the Kalamazoo Wings of the now defunct International Hockey League. It took Wilkinson only one year before being called up to the North Stars, where in his first season played in 36 games with five points and 100 penalty minutes. Only a year later, Wilkinson and the North Stars went to the NHL Finals where they lost to Pittsburgh in six games.

"Not everyday do you get a chance to sign a player with this much NHL experience," said Potvin. "This answers a lot of questions that the fans had. He brings toughness, a veteran defenseman and leadership to the Frostbite."

Wilkinson had his best year during the 1991-92 season after being picked up by the San Jose Sharks where he tallied 19 points (4g, 15a) with 107 penalty minutes. After spending two years with San Jose, the Selkirk, Manitoba native played the 1993-94 season in Chicago. He went on to play two more season with Winnipeg from 1994-96 and finished up his career with Pittsburgh for four years from 1995-99.

Before turning pro, Wilkinson played one year of junior hockey with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). There he was coached by Frostbite owner Barry Melrose.

"Barry loved Neil when he coached him and I'm sure I'll feel the same way," said Potvin.

Wilkinson is the eleventh player to sign with the Frostbite for the 2004-05 season. He joins forwards Hugo Belanger, Frank Littlejohn, Trevor Segstro, David Burgess and Sylvain Cloutier, defensemen Scott Drevitch, Kamil Kuriplach, Steve O'Rourke and Henrik Bergfors and goalie Derek Gustafson.

Season Tickets for the 2004-05 season are on sale now at the Frostbite front office located at the Glen Street entrance of the Glens Falls Civic Center. Tickets may be purchased at the office from 9AM to 6PM Monday through Thursday and from 9AM to 5PM Friday or by calling 926-PUCK. Also, UHL All-Star Classic Tickets are on sale to season ticket holders now at the Frostbite office or by calling 926-PUCK.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from September 3, 2004


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