Neil Wilkinson is a former professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on February 22, 1967, in Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada.
Wilkinson began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Prince Albert Raiders in the 1984-85 season. He played for the Raiders for three seasons before being drafted by the Minnesota North Stars in the second round of the 1986 NHL Entry Draft.
Wilkinson made his NHL debut with the North Stars in the 1987-88 season and played for the team for four seasons. He was known for his physical play and his ability to block shots. In the 1991-92 season, he set a career-high in points with 23 (5 goals, 18 assists).
In the 1992-93 season, Wilkinson was traded to the San Jose Sharks. He played for the Sharks for two seasons before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1994-95 season. He played for the Blackhawks for two seasons before being traded to the Florida Panthers in the 1996-97 season.
Wilkinson played for the Panthers for two seasons before being traded to the St. Louis Blues in the 1998-99 season. He played for the Blues for one season before retiring from professional hockey.
Throughout his NHL career, Wilkinson played in 616 games, scoring 23 goals and 87 assists for a total of 110 points. He also accumulated 1,276 penalty minutes.
After retiring from professional hockey, Wilkinson became a coach. He coached in the minor leagues and served as an assistant coach for the AHL's Houston Aeros and the NHL's Minnesota Wild.
In conclusion, Neil Wilkinson was a physical defenseman who played in the NHL for over a decade. He played for several teams throughout his career, including the Minnesota North Stars, San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, and St. Louis Blues. After retiring from professional hockey, he became a coach.
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