Hockey enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest have had their eyes on a rising star in the National Hockey League (NHL), and his name is Matthew Phillips.
The former Victoria Royal, a name synonymous with WHL excellence, is rapidly turning heads and making a name for himself with the Washington Capitals.
Phillips, a native of Calgary, Alberta, first gained recognition in junior hockey as a member of the Royals. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft, he quickly became a key player for the team.
During his four seasons with the Royals, Phillips showcased his remarkable skill and scoring ability, earning him accolades such as the team’s Most Valuable Player and the Bob Clarke Trophy as the WHL’s leading scorer.
Standing at just 5’7″ and weighing in at around 155 pounds, Phillips defied the odds with his exceptional speed, agility, and hockey IQ. His electrifying style of play endeared him to fans in Victoria and garnered the attention of NHL scouts.
In 2016, Mathew Phillips reached his dream of being drafted into the NHL when the Calgary Flames selected him in the sixth round. While he did not immediately make the jump to the big leagues, he continued to refine his skills and adapt his game to the professional level while playing for the Stockton Heat in the American Hockey League (AHL).
Phillips’ time in the AHL allowed him to develop his game and gain invaluable experience. His consistent point production and improved all-around play did not go unnoticed, and he eventually earned a call-up to the Calgary Flames during the 2019-2020 season.
He played three career NHL games with the Flames, including two games this past season.
During the offseason, the Capitals signed Phillips to a one-year, one-way contract worth $775,000.
While Phillips didn’t get much of a chance with the Flames, the young forward is making an impression with the Capitals and skated on the team’s top line with Caps legends Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom.
The small yet offensively-gifted forward was anticipated to contend for one of the final roster spots up front, but a promotion of this magnitude never appeared likely.
On Tuesday, October 3rd, Phillips scored his second goal of the pre-reason with the Capitals and it turned out to be the game winner in overtime!
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