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Alberta hockey player motivated to return to Edmonton, debut with Oilers

A Canmore hockey player will start the season as a Bakersfield Condor, but is more than likely to get a call-up to the big club.

EDMONTON – Before Noah Philp returned to the Edmonton Oilers preseason training camp, Google Alerts of the 26-year-old of Canmore’s name popping up in inboxes were few and far between. He had stepped away from the game in 2023 – many believing he had retired – and for someone who hadn’t played a single game in the NHL, he fell out of the minds of the hockey world and Oilers fans during the team’s Stanley Cup run in the playoffs.

In the offseason when Edmonton fans were looking for something other than a reminder of the Florida Panthers winning Lord Stanley, some buzz circulated when Philp re-signed with the Oilers on a two-way contract.

Then preseason started. Then Google Alerts emails with Philp’s name started coming in. It started with a few emails here and there, but quickly turned into many flooding into the inbox as more and more people started talking about Philp’s head-turning play.

“I was just having fun playing. I try not to worry about the spotlight too much,” said Philp.

Philp, along with other Oilers hopefuls, were in a very unique and advantageous situation. With big NHL contracts already given to the likes of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse, among others, there is a real need to have some team-friendly contracts in the lineup.

For a team that is all in on winning a Stanley Cup, its fourth line, in particular, has been one of the most talked about in recent memory.

Being away from intense play for a year-and-a-half, Philp only had a small timeframe to be noticed, especially on the penalty kill and winning faceoffs, but he came through. At six-foot-three, the former U of A Golden Bear’s speed and fitness were up to task and he scored one goal and had an assist in “some of the highest level games I have ever played before in the NHL preseason,” said Philp.

“I really enjoy pushing myself and I thought when I get to play against long-time NHLers and you get to line up against them and go head-to-head, that’s a motivator for me, for sure,” Philp said. “I feel really eager and comfortable in those situations just ‘cause it’s a great test and it’s a lot of fun to see where you can compete.”

Brother Luke Philp, who is signed on a two-way contract with the Washington Capitals, wasn’t surprised that his younger bro made an impression after he “worked his ass off for quite a while.”

“I think it shows,” said Luke. “It’s not easy to go into an NHL preseason game after not playing for 15 months or whatever it was, but if there was anyone who could do it, it was him.”

Although he won’t be suiting for the big team on opening night, Philp’s NHL debut is likely a “when” and not an “if” situation.

Somewhere between Montana and Idaho, Philp was on the road to California on Tuesday morning (Oct. 8), where he’ll meet up with his Condors teammates in Bakersfield.

Philp was loaned to the Condors, the AHL affiliate of the Oilers, following preseason. The loan status in the minors means that the Oilers management has taken a keen interest in Philp’s progression.

Philp said he wasn’t given a timeline or estimation on when he will be called up. But for now, he is happy to be back and enjoying the process.

“They just said, ‘Keep working and then you’ll determine if you can come back up,’ so that is a good motivator,” said Philp.

“[...] Playing games is really when you figure yourself out … and that’s what the staff sees for me that will help and I agree.”

He had some nerves before preseason, but those feelings quickly slipped away when he was back in the locker room with the boys.

In the moment and trying to figure things out on the fly, Philp would chat to players such as Derek Ryan or Zach Hyman here and there.

“I like picking the brain of older guys and just asking them little questions about specific scenarios, but not too much. For the most part, I was just trying to find my own game,” he said.

Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said the Canmore forward made a “positive impression” at training camp, citing Philp was “on top of that list” of players in consideration for a spot on the NHL club’s opening night roster. Although the coach wants Philp to play more minutes south of the border – for now.

“I think there’s still little details that are important for him, mostly just being able to touch the puck and feeling pressure and making the right play and I think he’s really close,” said Knoblauch on Sunday (Oct. 6) in a media scrum.

“I’m sure we’re going to see him at some point this season, but I think it’s beneficial for him to go to Bakersfield and play a significant role there.”

During this comeback to professional hockey, Philp built a program with Sam Jones, a friend and co-owner of Be A Pro, hockey training for elite players looking to go professional. He also shared the ice with Oilers defenceman Brett Kulak, who has a home in Canmore.

Philp had somewhere in the range of six months to fine-tune his game and focus on the details, which is uncommonly long for players of his calibre. 

“In terms of physicality, I felt pretty solid. I had a long time to train. I felt ready,” he said.

Philp added that being away from the game also rejuvenated his on-ice flame.

“I’ve learned that over the past while, how to just enjoy yourself when you’re out there and be curious and have fun with it and that’s when I find I'm playing my best,” said Philp. “I think a lot of players, as they grow older, they figure that out as well.”

The Condors season opener is Friday (Oct. 11) against the Coachella Valley Firebirds.


Jordan Small

About the Author: Jordan Small

An award-winning reporter, Jordan Small has covered sports, the arts, and news in the Bow Valley since 2014. Originally from Barrie, Ont., Jordan has lived in Alberta since 2013.
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