Matthew Phillips Bio
Matthew Phillips is a Canadian professional ice hockey right wing who is currently playing with the San Diego Gulls in the American Hockey League (AHL). Born on April 6, 1998, in Calgary, Alberta, he was selected by the Calgary Flames, 166th overall, in the 2016 National Hockey League (NHL) entry draft. Standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing approximately 161 pounds, Phillips has built a reputation as a skilled and productive scorer at the minor professional level after developing through the Western Hockey League (WHL).
Early Life and Background
Matthew Phillips was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, a city with a deep hockey tradition and home to several junior and professional franchises. Growing up in this environment gave him early and consistent exposure to the sport, and he began playing organized minor hockey within the local community. His development through Calgary’s youth system would later serve as the foundation for his progression to higher levels of competition.
Before entering major junior hockey, Phillips played for the Calgary Bisons of the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League (AMBHL). During the 2012–13 season, he scored forty goals and 77 points in 37 games played, establishing himself as one of the top young players in the league. His performance with the Bisons drew the attention of WHL scouts and set the stage for his entry into major junior hockey.
Path to Professional Hockey
Phillips was drafted in the second round, 33rd overall, by the Victoria Royals in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft. Despite being selected, WHL rules prevented him from playing in the regular season as a 15-year-old, so he returned to his minor hockey team, the Calgary Buffaloes of the Alberta Midget Hockey League (AMHL). In his first season with the Buffaloes, he recorded fifteen goals and 35 points in 33 games.
The following season, Phillips joined the Royals’ training camp and preseason for the 2014–15 WHL season but was once again returned to the Buffaloes. He was leading the AMHL in scoring when he received his call-up to the Royals. Phillips made his WHL debut on January 23, 2015, against the Kamloops Blazers, scoring one goal in a 4–3 overtime loss. He finished that season with three points in two WHL games while also winning the Harry Allen Memorial Trophy as the AMHL’s top scorer with 33 goals and 73 points in 34 games. He also earned the Trevor Linden Trophy as the league’s top forward and was named to the AMHL First All-Star Team.
Matthew Phillips Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
On December 31, 2017, Phillips signed a three-year, entry-level contract worth $2.325 million with the Calgary Flames, officially beginning his professional career. He spent his early professional seasons developing with the Flames’ American Hockey League affiliates, gradually refining his game and earning larger roles within the organization.
Phillips made his National Hockey League debut with the Calgary Flames on May 19, 2021, against the Vancouver Canucks. He finished the game with two shots on goal in 14:19 of ice time during a 6–2 victory, marking the culmination of years of work in the minors.
AHL Breakthrough and Calgary Flames Organization (2021–2023)
On August 8, 2021, Phillips signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with the Flames worth $750,000 at the NHL level. During the 2021–22 season with the Stockton Heat, the Flames’ AHL affiliate, he became the Heat’s franchise leader in career goals and points, cementing his status as one of the top minor-league scorers in the organization.
Phillips signed another one-year, two-way extension with the Flames on July 23, 2022, worth $750,000 at the NHL level. During the 2022–23 season, he spent the majority of the year with the Calgary Wranglers, where he led the team in goals and points. He was briefly called up to the Flames on December 8, 2022, appearing in two games before being reassigned. His strong play earned him the AHL Player of the Month award for November 2022, a selection to the AHL All-Star Classic alongside teammate Dustin Wolf and coach Mitch Love, and a place on the AHL First All-Star Team.
Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins (2023–2024)
On July 2, 2023, Phillips signed a one-year, one-way contract worth $775,000 with the Washington Capitals as a free agent, reuniting with former coach Mitch Love. He scored his first career NHL goal and added an assist in his first game against his former Flames team on October 16, 2023. After registering 3 points through his first five appearances, he was unable to secure a consistent forward role and saw reduced minutes across 27 games.
On February 16, 2024, Phillips was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Penguins. He made his Penguins debut in a 2–1 defeat to the Los Angeles Kings on February 18, 2024, but went scoreless through three games before being returned on waivers and re-claimed by the Washington Capitals on March 6, 2024. He was immediately assigned to the Hershey Bears, where he finished with 6 points in 9 regular-season games and one additional NHL appearance. Phillips remained with Hershey through the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs, appearing in six postseason games as the Bears defended the Calder Cup championship.
Colorado Avalanche Organization (2024–2025)
Leaving the Capitals as a free agent, Phillips signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Colorado Avalanche on August 9, 2024. After attending the Avalanche’s training camp, he was assigned to the Colorado Eagles for the 2024–25 season. Phillips assumed a top-line forward role and led the Eagles in points, collecting 18 goals and 39 assists for 57 points. Among Eagles skaters, he ranked second in assists, tied for third in plus/minus rating, and fifth in goals. His 57-point campaign marked his third AHL season with 55-plus points in his last four seasons. He helped the Eagles claim the Pacific Division title and added 8 points in 9 Calder Cup Playoff appearances.
San Diego Gulls Era (2025–Present)
At the conclusion of his contract with the Avalanche, Phillips opted to continue his career in the minor leagues, signing a two-year AHL contract with the San Diego Gulls on July 2, 2025. The move kept him within the Pacific Division and provided an opportunity to maintain a top scoring role. His transition to Anaheim’s AHL affiliate marked the next chapter in his professional journey.
Driving Style and Strengths
Phillips is widely recognized for his offensive creativity, skating ability, and scoring instincts at the AHL level. Despite his smaller stature, he has consistently produced at a high rate, demonstrating strong playmaking vision and the ability to drive a top line. His track record of leading his teams in points reflects both his individual skill and his value as a primary offensive contributor.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most memorable achievements, Phillips became the Stockton Heat’s all-time franchise leader in career goals and points during the 2021–22 season. He was named AHL Player of the Month for November 2022, selected to the AHL All-Star Classic, and named to the AHL First All-Star Team. He also scored his first NHL goal on October 16, 2023, against his former Flames team, and was part of the Hershey Bears’ Calder Cup championship run in 2024.
Matthew Phillips Career Wins
Matthew Phillips has built a productive professional career centered on consistent offensive output in the American Hockey League, complemented by limited but memorable NHL appearances. While specific win totals are not fully verified across every team and season, his legacy at the minor-league level is defined by point-scoring records and individual accolades.
Calgary Flames Organization Highlights
During his time with the Calgary Flames’ AHL affiliates, including the Stockton Heat and the Calgary Wranglers, Phillips established himself as a premier scorer. He became the Stockton Heat’s all-time leader in career goals and points, and later led the Wranglers in goals and points during the 2022–23 season.
Other Performances
Phillips also produced strong numbers with the Colorado Eagles in 2024–25, leading the team in points with 57 and helping the club capture the Pacific Division title. Across multiple AHL seasons, he has recorded 55-plus points in three of his last four campaigns, underscoring his durability and offensive consistency.
Matthew Phillips Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Specific details about Matthew Phillips’s family background and upbringing are not publicly documented in available sources. He grew up in Calgary, Alberta, where he developed through local minor hockey programs before advancing to major junior and professional ranks.
Personal Life
Matthew Phillips tends to keep his personal life private, and no publicly verified information about a spouse, partner, or children is available at this time. His professional focus remains on his hockey career with the San Diego Gulls.
2025 Season Performance
Matthew Phillips entered the 2025 season as a member of the San Diego Gulls after signing a two-year AHL contract on July 2, 2025. Coming off a 57-point campaign with the Colorado Eagles, expectations were high for him to provide immediate scoring depth and veteran leadership to a Gulls squad competing in the Pacific Division. His track record of producing at a point-per-game or better pace made him a central figure in the team’s offensive plans.
Throughout the early portion of the season, Phillips was expected to slot into a top-six forward role and likely top-line minutes, much as he had with the Eagles. His ability to generate offense, distribute the puck, and play effectively on the power play positioned him as a key contributor for San Diego’s pursuit of a playoff berth.
With two years remaining on his current deal, Phillips’s performance in 2025 will be closely watched as both the Gulls and other AHL organizations evaluate his trajectory. A strong season could open pathways back to the NHL, while continued scoring production would further cement his reputation as one of the AHL’s most consistent offensive forwards.