Noah Philp Bio
Noah Philp (born August 31, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 200 pounds, he plays a hard, physical brand of hockey built on size, skating, and two-way responsibility. After a winding path through junior, college, and minor professional hockey, Philp made his NHL debut in October 2024.
Born in Canmore, Alberta, Philp grew up in a hockey family and developed his game in the Western Hockey League (WHL) before continuing his career at the University of Alberta. His journey to the NHL included a brief retirement and an eventual return to the Oilers organization, where his strong play earned him a first NHL opportunity.
Early Life and Background
Noah Philp was born on August 31, 1998, in Canmore, Alberta, a mountain town known for its strong hockey tradition. He is the youngest of three hockey-playing brothers, which made the sport a central part of daily life in the Philp household. From a young age, he competed alongside his siblings, learning the habits and toughness required to play at higher levels.
His eldest brother, Simon, played for the Canmore Eagles, and both Noah and Luke later joined the same junior club, occasionally lining up as teammates of Simon during their time there. His older brother Luke has gone on to play professionally in Europe, currently skating for Färjestad BK of the Swedish Hockey League. This family hockey background gave Philp early exposure to organized competition and helped shape his physical, detail-oriented approach to the game.
Path to Hockey
Philp began his formal hockey career in the Western Hockey League, joining the Kootenay Ice as a junior player. The WHL is one of the primary development pipelines for Canadian players aiming at the NHL, and his time with the Kootenay organization gave him his first sustained look at high-level competition.
Midway through his junior career, he was traded to the Seattle Thunderbirds, where he continued to develop his offensive game and physical presence. After his junior eligibility ended, Philp accepted an amateur tryout with the Stockton Heat, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Calgary Flames, but he was not offered a contract. He then chose the college route, enrolling at the University of Alberta, where he played two seasons for the Alberta Golden Bears. In 36 games with the Golden Bears, Philp posted 20 goals and 18 assists, demonstrating that his scoring touch had translated to the university level.
Noah Philp Career
Early Career (2016–2021)
Philp’s early professional development came through the WHL, first with the Kootenay Ice and later with the Seattle Thunderbirds. His time in Seattle helped him refine his two-way game and gave him opportunities to play in important late-season matchups. Although he was not signed by Stockton after his amateur tryout, the experience exposed him to the speed and structure of professional hockey.
Following his junior career, Philp transitioned to the University of Alberta program, where he balanced academics with a demanding hockey schedule. His offensive production with the Alberta Golden Bears stood out, and it caught the attention of NHL scouts evaluating unsigned free-agent talent.
Edmonton Oilers Contract (2022–2023)
On April 5, 2022, Philp signed a one-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers, a major milestone after years of development. He finished that season on an amateur tryout with the Bakersfield Condors, the Oilers’ AHL affiliate, appearing in three games before the contract officially began the following season.
In his first full professional year with the Bakersfield Condors, Philp recorded 19 goals and 18 assists in 70 games. That production earned recognition from the Oilers’ front office, and he appeared to be tracking toward an NHL opportunity. However, on June 14, 2023, Philp announced his retirement from professional hockey, citing personal reasons, and stepped away from the game for an extended period.
Return to Edmonton and NHL Debut (2024–Present)
One year after his retirement, Philp returned to the sport, signing a new one-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers on July 1, 2024. He impressed during the NHL pre-season with his physical play and willingness to drive to the net, but the Oilers ultimately assigned him to the Bakersfield Condors for further development. He continued to work on his game at the AHL level as the regular season began.
On October 29, 2024, Philp was recalled by Edmonton alongside forward Drake Caggiula after an injury sidelined captain Connor McDavid. Two days later, on October 31, 2024, Philp played in his first NHL game, a 5–1 home win against the Nashville Predators. He recorded his first career NHL point that night, an assist on a Corey Perry goal that also stood as the game-winner, marking a memorable start to his top-flight career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Philp is recognized for his physical, straight-line playing style, using his 6-foot-3 frame to win board battles, protect pucks, and finish checks. He combines that power with responsible defensive habits, making him a trusted option in penalty-kill situations and on defensive-zone faceoffs. Coaches have pointed to his willingness to play through traffic and his consistent effort as the foundation of his professional identity.
Notable Events and Milestones
Philp’s NHL debut on October 31, 2024, against the Nashville Predators was the signature moment of his career to date, coming after a unique journey that included a full retirement and a return to professional hockey. He recorded his first career NHL assist on Corey Perry’s game-winning goal that night, giving him a milestone in his very first appearance. His recall alongside veteran Drake Caggiula, in the wake of an injury to superstar Connor McDavid, underscored the organization’s belief in his readiness for top-level competition.
Noah Philp Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hockey runs deep in the Philp family, with Noah being the youngest of three brothers who all played competitive hockey. His older brother Simon was a teammate of Noah and Luke during their time with the Canmore Eagles, where the brothers shared the ice in junior hockey. His other older brother, Luke Philp, has built a notable professional career of his own, currently playing in the Swedish Hockey League with Färjestad BK, giving the family a presence in top leagues in both North America and Europe.
Personal Life
Philp was raised in Canmore, Alberta, the small mountain community where his hockey roots were formed. Beyond his personal connection to family and hometown, he has generally kept his private life out of the public spotlight, focusing public attention on his on-ice work and professional development.
2025 Season Performance
Philp entered the 2025 season as part of the Edmonton Oilers organization following his NHL debut the previous fall. After spending additional time with the Bakersfield Condors to refine his game, he remained on the cusp of the Oilers’ NHL roster, valued for his size, forechecking, and penalty-killing reliability. His recall in October 2024 had already shown that the team was willing to trust him with NHL minutes when needed.
Throughout the 2025 season, Philp continued to push for a larger role in Edmonton, balancing AHL playing time with potential NHL call-ups. His consistent production in Bakersfield and his strong work ethic kept him firmly within the Oilers’ forward depth chart as the season progressed. With Edmonton once again contending in the Western Conference, Philp’s physical, defense-first profile made him a logical option for late-season call-ups and playoff support.
Looking ahead, Philp’s focus remains on establishing himself as a full-time NHL contributor rather than a depth call-up. His combination of size, skating, and two-way responsibility fits the style the Oilers have leaned on in their contending lineups. Continued strong play in 2025 could cement his place as a regular in Edmonton’s bottom six and on the penalty kill for seasons to come.