Centerman Noah Philip had some great numbers coming off the WHL and the University of Alberta. Last spring, he signed a one-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers, and his rookie season in the AHL was good.
He scored 19 goals and 37 points in 70 games played, and the Edmonton Oilers were eager to see what he could do in this summer’s training camp.
Philp was a restricted free agent, and the Oilers offered him a two-year contract. But now, Philp has delivered some shocking news to the organization.
At just 24 years of age, Philp has decided to turn down the contract extension, and instead, he’s calling it a career. According to Oilers’ general manager Ken Holland, Philp has decided to move home to Calgary to be closer to his family after a ”very difficult year.”
”Philp is not playing hockey next year. He’s made a decision to call it a career. It was a very, very difficult year for him. He told us he wants to be around Calgary and close to his family and friends. For personal reasons, he’s not playing hockey,” Holland told The Athletic.
The Oilers liked what they saw of Philp, but in the end, they couldn’t convince him to continue playing hockey.
”He made great progress. We liked him. We wanted to re-sign him. We offered him a two-year contract. We were anxious to see what he could do in training camp. But he’s not interested,” Holland said.
The 6’3” Philp previously played with the Kootenay Ice and Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL before joining the Univ. of Alberta.
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