Projecting Prospects: Reece Wilcox

Photo via ECAC Website

Earlier this week, the Flyers signed defender Reece Wilcox to his entry level contract. Due to his age, it’s a two-year ELC with a cap hit of 925,000.

Wilcox was drafted in the 5th round of 2012 before committing to Cornell University where he spent his full four years of eligibility. He was never much of a point getting in the ECAC, scoring 29 total points over his 4 seasons of college hockey.

Of course, it’s still possible to project his output at the NHL level.

Corrected NCAA translation factors:
.44 WCHA (Defunct)
.41 NCHC
.37 Hockey-East
.35 Big-10
.32 CCHA (Defunct)
.23 ECAC

— Rob Vollman (@robvollmanNHL) November 5, 2015

Vollman’s model gives Wilcox an expected 7 points in 82 NHL games. This would be behind Nick Schultz, Andrew MacDonald, Brandon Manning and Radko Gudas in terms of point pace this season. However, all isn’t lost in terms of a hope for Wilcox as an NHL player.

Kevan Miller and Mark Fayne both had similar scoring curves and became NHL players.

Via Own the Puck

In terms of ceilings, Wilcox’s top potential is likely a third pair/penalty kill specialist. If he’s effective with his size, he could find himself as a 7th defender in the second year of his Entry Level Contract.

Most likely however, Wilcox likely ends up being a career AHL player. And with all the prospects who should graduate from the Phantoms to the Flyers, he’ll have a chance to be a steadying presence on the AHL blue line while prospects like Hagg and Morin find their way into the NHL.

Of course, like Miller, Wilcox could turn into a late bloomer and find himself getting a few games at the NHL level during the 17-18 season. Or, if another team decides he’s worth a look, he could even find himself being trade bait, especially if the Flyers need a contract to dump as part of a deal for a rental.