 Wilkins was born in Toronto, Ontario and died at the age of 64 from lung cancer.Wilkins was signed by the Boston Bruins as a teenager and came through their junior system where he was a teammate of Bobby Orr and Wayne Cashman with the Oshawa Generals.He was recalled from junior to make his NHL debut in 1966–67, playing a single game for the Bruins, and turned pro the following season.