FRESNO FALCONS SIGN FORMER SPHL ALL-ROOKIE DEFENSEMAN ALEX WILKINS

Former NCAA All-American brings professional experience, offensive production, and championship pedigree to Fresno's blue line

FRESNO, Calif. — October 20, 2026 — The Fresno Falcons have announced the signing of defenseman Alex Wilkins, adding an accomplished blueliner with Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) experience, NCAA All-American honors, and a proven ability to contribute offensively from the back end.

The 28-year-old Kennett Square, Pennsylvania native joins Fresno after spending parts of three seasons in the SPHL with the Fayetteville Marksmen and Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs. His professional résumé is highlighted by a selection to the 2024–25 SPHL All-Rookie Team, recognizing him as one of the league's top first-year players.

A right-shot defenseman, Wilkins brings another offensive weapon to the Falcons' defensive corps as the organization continues building its roster for the 2026–27 Federal Prospects Hockey League season.

An Award-Winning Professional Career

Wilkins made his professional debut with the Fayetteville Marksmen toward the conclusion of the 2023–24 season, appearing in five regular-season contests and recording his first professional assist.

His first full professional campaign in 2024–25 quickly established him as one of the SPHL's most productive rookie defensemen.

Appearing in 55 games for Fayetteville, Wilkins registered three goals and 18 assists for 21 points while finishing with a plus-two rating. All three of his goals came on the power play, demonstrating his ability to contribute offensively in special-teams situations.

Wilkins led all SPHL rookie defensemen with 18 assists, finished second among rookie blueliners with 21 points, and tied for the lead among first-year defensemen with three power-play goals. His 10 power-play points also placed him among the league's leading rookies.

Those performances earned Wilkins a place on the 2024–25 SPHL All-Rookie Team, cementing his reputation as one of the league's most promising young defensemen.

The following season, Wilkins returned to Fayetteville before being traded to the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs in January 2026.

The move sparked a productive second half of the season.

In 22 regular-season appearances with Roanoke, Wilkins recorded two goals and 11 assists for 13 points while posting a plus-eight rating. He continued contributing during the 2026 President's Cup Playoffs, registering one goal and one assist in six postseason appearances.

Across the 2025–26 regular season, Wilkins totaled four goals and 14 assists for 18 points in 55 games between Fayetteville and Roanoke.

In 115 career SPHL regular-season appearances, Wilkins has accumulated seven goals and 33 assists for 40 points, demonstrating consistent offensive contributions throughout his professional career.

Before arriving in Fresno, Wilkins also spent time with Strasbourg in France during the opening stages of the 2026–27 season, adding international professional experience to his résumé.

A Decorated Collegiate Career

Before turning professional, Wilkins enjoyed an accomplished collegiate career at SUNY Geneseo, one of NCAA Division III hockey's established programs.

Over 99 collegiate appearances, Wilkins totaled 10 goals and 40 assists for 50 points while finishing with a combined plus-62 rating.

His time with the Knights included two State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) championships, earned during the 2019–20 and 2021–22 seasons.

Wilkins also played a role in Geneseo's memorable run to the 2022 NCAA Division III National Championship game. During that postseason, he recorded a goal and an assist in the national semifinal against the University of New England before adding an assist in the national championship contest against Adrian College.

Throughout his collegiate career, Wilkins developed into an important member of Geneseo's defensive group, eventually serving as an alternate captain during his final two seasons.

His strongest individual campaign came in 2023–24, when he recorded four goals and 16 assists for 20 points in 27 games while posting a plus-20 rating.

His outstanding performance earned him American Hockey Coaches Association Second-Team All-American honors in the East Region, along with First-Team All-SUNYAC recognition.

The national recognition capped an impressive collegiate career and helped establish Wilkins as a promising professional prospect.

Developing His Game at the Junior Level

Wilkins' hockey journey also included extensive experience at the junior level before enrolling at SUNY Geneseo.

During the 2017–18 campaign, he competed in the Alberta Junior Hockey League with the Calgary Canucks and the Central Canada Hockey League with the Cornwall Colts.

Across 60 combined regular-season games, he collected five goals and 28 assists for 33 points.

He continued his development with the Johnstown Tomahawks of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) during the 2018–19 season.

In 56 regular-season appearances for Johnstown, Wilkins recorded five goals and 25 assists for 30 points, finishing with a plus-nine rating. He also added four assists in 13 postseason contests.

His production at the junior level helped pave the way for his successful collegiate career and eventual transition into professional hockey.

Adding Another Accomplished Piece to the Falcons

The addition of Wilkins reflects Fresno's continued efforts to bring experienced, accomplished talent to Selland Arena.

With All-American honors at the collegiate level, an SPHL All-Rookie selection, championship experience, and a productive professional résumé, Wilkins arrives with an impressive record of achievement.

His offensive instincts, passing ability, and experience in high-level competition provide Fresno with another potential difference-maker on the blue line as the Falcons look to build momentum throughout their inaugural FPHL campaign.

Wilkins now joins a Falcons organization focused on establishing a winning tradition in the Central Valley, bringing another accomplished player to a roster determined to compete throughout the 2026–27 season.

The Fresno Falcons return to Selland Arena on Saturday, October 24, to face the Stockton Thunder during the team's Día de los Muertos celebration.

For tickets and additional information, visit FresnoFalconsHockey.com and follow the Fresno Falcons on social media at @FresnoFalconsHockey.

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