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FN AHL Report Cards: Carter Wilkie split his first pro season between the Rush and Wranglers
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Photo credit: David Moll/Calgary Wranglers
Paige Siewert
Jun 18, 2026, 12:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 18, 2026, 02:35 EDT
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Calgary-born player, Carter Wilkie played his first pro season between the Wranglers and Rush and definitely used the season to get his feet wet in this new level of play. He was viewed as more of a part-time player but kept his head in it to be ready when he was called on. When he was in the lineup, he slotted in as a right winger on the third or fourth line or occasionally a fourth line centre. 

What were the expectations for Carter Wilkie in 2025-26?

Wilkie’s preview with the Wranglers was limited as he joined the team at the end of the 2024-25 season after completing his collegiate career at the University of North Dakota. In the nine game stretch he played with the Wranglers last season, he had two goals and an assist in that time. His first pro goal came in just his fourth game on his hometown ice against the Ontario Reign. 
Wilkie was a 30-40 point scorer in most of his collegiate career but it took a bit of a drop in his senior year down to 18 points in 38 games. He wasn’t expected to be a huge scorer for the Wranglers but his ability to score and his grinder mentality seemed to be a role he could play in the AHL.

How did Carter Wilkie perform in 2025-26?

Carter Wilkie performed in the way that was expected of him. He provided an option down the lineup on right wing and could play with some of the tougher players on the team like Alex Gallant, Lucas Ciona, Parker Bell and Clark Bishop. Most of the forwards managed to stay healthy for the majority of the season, so calling on someone like Wilkie wasn’t needed as much as it may have been in other seasons. 
Wilkie ended up splitting time between the Rush and Wranglers this season and especially lit it up in the ECHL. In the 14 games he played in Rapid City to start the season, he put up seven goals and six assists. Wilkie was called up to the Wranglers on Nov. 22 and didn’t return to the ECHL the rest of the year. 
His transition back into the AHL was a slower one and he was left off the scoresheet until Mar. 15, when he scored his first of the season with the Wranglers. That ended up being his only goal of the year and he finished with three points in his 27 games with the Flames’ affiliate. The majority of Wilkie’s AHL games were played in the last two months of the season and he had an assist on Parker Bell’s goal in the season closer against the Colorado Eagles.  

What’s the future outlook for Carter Wilkie?

The Wranglers have grown their centre depth by adding Tyson Gross and Jonathan Castagna, so Wilkie’s chance to battle for a spot if he is still around the team next season would likely be at right wing. Wilkie was with the team on an AHL deal and it’s possible they extend him but when it’s all said and done, there might not be room.
If Wilkie is still in the organization next year, he might be expected to have a similar type of season with a few ECHL games if his game doesn’t take a stride over the summer. His goal should be to be an every day AHLer and see where that takes him with the Flames and their affiliations or elsewhere.

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