Eagles find gem in own backyard

In search of help to overcome recent inconsistent play, the Canmore Eagles needed look no further than their own backyard.

Sixteen-year-old forward Simon Philps scored two goals and picked up an assist in his Eagles debut, helping the team defeat the Olds Grizzlys 6-2 in AJHL action on Thursday, Jan. 27.

The Canmore native was called up from his UFA Bisons midget team to bolster the Eagles’ forward lines, which have been decimated by injuries.

“I felt good. The skill level is at a much higher level, but I seemed to fit in,” Philp said.

Skating with converted defenceman Trey Phillips and sniper Brian Doust, Philp kept his game simple; chip along the boards and drive to the net. Head coach Andrew Milne put the line together early and decided the trio complemented one another.

“It was fun playing with those two. Trey and I had some chemistry and to play with Doust, one of the top scorers in the league, was great,” Philp said. “I was a little nervous, but after a couple of shifts I calmed down.”

His play strengthened as the game progressed, and the young forward didn’t back down when matched up against older, physical players. While he fashions himself as a playmaker, he played the role of finisher on Thursday.

His first goal saw him alone in front of the net on a partial breakaway.

“I went to the net and the puck ended up on my stick. I just jammed it in from there,” Philp said.

He added an empty net goal late in the third, thanks to two unselfish plays by Cody Cartier and Tyler Horton. Both veterans had a shot at the open net, but opted to pass to the rookie.

Currently, rugged defenceman John Stevens is the only other Bow Valley resident in the Eagles lineup and the team dressed Canmorite Jeremy Gordon (who plays Junior B hockey in Cochrane) for a game earlier in the season. However, Philp wants to make the jump to the AJHL permanently next season.

“My next goal is making the Eagles,” Philp said. “(Andrew) said I could come to a couple of practices.

Last summer, he and several Bow Valley players such as Nils Moser, Jordan Messier and Luke Simpson trained with Athletics Evolution trainer Brad McEwen in order to reach peak physical condition for training camp. Philp made the AAA Bisons of the Alberta Midget Hockey League, where he currently has 16 points in 28 games, and plays with his brother Luke, 15, who is also a top prospect. He credits the hard work put in at the gym.

“That got me onto the Bisons team. I got off to a slow start there, but now my game is picking up,” Philp said. “Now I go to the dirtier areas of the ice.”

He wants to play a few more games with the Eagles before the end of the season, and crack the team’s lineup next year.

“I’d like to make the jump to the AJ and then see if I can get a scholarship,” Philp said.

Milne was impressed with his play, and mentioned he’d love to see Simon and Luke Philp in the Eagles lineup next season.

“He played really well. He did a lot of good things. Positionally, he was in the right spot all night and I thought he played a simple, hard working game,” Milne said.

Philp has moved back to Canmore, and hopes to stick around.

“Last night was a great audition. Now he knows he can find some success,” Milne said.