Another one of the players who saw their exclusive draft rights expire earlier this month has found a new home, as Chris Wilkie signs a one-year AHL contract with the Rockford IceHogs. Wilkie was a draft pick of the Florida Panthers in 2015 but was actually acquired by the Ottawa Senators last October. Unfortunately, the Senators weren’t able to sign him before the August deadline, meaning Wilkie became an unrestricted free agent able to sign with whatever organization he chose.
A sixth-round pick of the Panthers, he was actually the player sent to Ottawa for Jack Rodewald who was subsequently involved in the Brendan Leipsic Instagram messaging scandal, actions condemned by the NHL and the Florida organization. Rodewald will become a Group VI unrestricted free agent this fall, but it doesn’t appear as though the Panthers gave up much of an opportunity anyway when they moved on from Wilkie.
The 24-year old forward actually had an outstanding goal-scoring campaign for Colorado College in 2019-20, scoring 23 times in just 34 games. That dwarfed his previous NCAA high of six goals and earned him some national recognition.
Still, Wilkie will have to start in the minor leagues and continue to work his way up the chain if he dreams of ever playing in the NHL. His AHL contract will not allow the Chicago Blackhawks to recall him, but perhaps he can show enough this season to earn himself an entry-level deal down the road.