Flyers: Long-Traveled Wilson A Deserving Masterton Nominee

Anthony Mingioni’s Flyers blogs on Hockey Hot Stove are powered by Phans of Philly, Lights On Electric, New Balance of Mount Laurel, Cover All Exteriors, and our newest sponsors, The Mens and Boys Store and Carl’s Cards and Collectibles.

On Wednesday, the Philadelphia Flyers announced that forward Garrett Wilson is the team’s nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

The trophy is awarded to the National Hockey League player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey,” as voted by membership of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA).

And Wilson’s journey is certainly one that required equal parts perseverance and dedication. He waited seven years to play again at hockey’s highest level.

Prior to his season debut on March 19 against the Los Angeles Kings, the last NHL game Wilson played was on April 16, 2019 for the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was the 50th game he played that season, the longest stretch in his pro career in the league.

Subsequently, he toiled in the AHL for 395 games (a span of 2,524 days) before signing a two-way NHL contract with the Flyers for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

Wilson has played two games for the team this season with five penalty minutes. Those five minutes were earned from dropping the gloves in San Jose against Ryan Reaves, one of the league’s toughest players.

The rugged 6-foot-3, 218 lb forward has played in 84 career games in the NHL with Florida and Pittsburgh with two goals and eight points, while also playing in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

An Unreal Opportunity

In many ways, his contract was a recognition of a career in which he helped shape the course for a number of young Flyers prospects while they developed in the AHL.

“With the rebuild and the new prospects coming in, I really wanted to take care of them because I was taken care when I was coming up,” Wilson said to reporters. “I just wanted to teach the guy how to be a pro everyday. I tried to lead by example.”

Flyers general manager Daniel Briere has talked about Wilson’s leadership in the past, so getting the call-up was especially gratifying.

“It’s an unreal opportunity that (Keith Jones) and Briere are giving me. First class by them.”

With the trade of Nic Deslauriers to Carolina, Wilson was signed to fill in that role for the Flyers as well. While his action has been limited, it takes nothing away from a remarkable journey.

Long Journey For A Deserving Nominee

The 34 year old has played parts of the last six seasons with the Phantoms (2020-26). He served as captain for the past three seasons (2023-26) after serving as an alternate captain for the previous three seasons (2020-23).

During his time with Lehigh Valley, Wilson scored 62 goals and 86 assists for 148 points in 338 games. In the 2022-23 season, Wilson recorded a career-high season with 18 goals and 43 points, ranking fourth on the team in both categories. He also led the AHL with 195 penalty minutes that season.

Wilson currently has 16 points (4g-12a) in 54 games with the Phantoms this season. He reached the 900 games played milestone for his career between the NHL, AHL, and ECHL.

The Barrie, Ontario native has had a long journey in professional hockey appeared in parts of 15 seasons and 755 AHL games. In addition to the Phantoms, Wilson played with the San Antonio Rampage (2011-15), Portland Pirates (2015-16), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (2016-19), Toronto Marlies (2019-20).

He has 156 goals and 197 assists for 353 points in the league, along with 1375 penalty minutes.