Phil Kemp Bio
Philip Kemp (born February 12, 1999) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who currently plays for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing roughly 203 pounds, he is recognized for a steady, defensive style that developed during a four-year collegiate career at Yale University. Kemp first entered the professional ranks through the Edmonton Oilers organization before joining Pittsburgh as a free agent in the summer of 2025.
Early Life and Background
Philip Kemp was born on February 12, 1999, in Greenwich, Connecticut, a community well known for producing competitive youth athletes across several sports. Growing up in the greater New York and Connecticut corridor gave him early access to competitive rinks and travel hockey programs that helped shape his development as a defenseman. The Cold Spring area, just outside Greenwich, is also home to Phillips Exeter, a private school where Kemp later completed his secondary education before heading to Yale.
Kemp comes from an athletic family with a clear connection to the sport, though public details about his parents remain limited. His brother, Thomas Kemp, also pursued hockey at a high level and played at Phillips Exeter before advancing to Providence College, a fact that helped motivate Philip through his teenage years. The sibling rivalry and shared training environment strengthened both brothers on the ice and pushed Philip toward a more complete, positionally sound game.
Path to Hockey
Long before any NHL draft conversation, Kemp sharpened his skills with the Avon Old Farms prep program in Connecticut, a school with a strong track record of developing Division I hockey talent. He served as team captain at Avon Old Farms and earned recognition as one of the top college-bound defensemen in New England during his draft year. His poise, leadership, and two-way play drew the attention of both National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) programs and NHL scouts.
After his prep career, Kemp enrolled at Yale University, where he joined the Bulldogs of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and steadily grew into a top-four defenseman. He wore the “C” for Yale in the 2019–20 season, capping his development as a respected leader at the collegiate level. That same year, his combination of size, skating, and hockey sense translated into professional interest when the Edmonton Oilers selected him in the seventh round, 208th overall, of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Phil Kemp Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Kemp signed his first professional deal on November 25, 2020, when he agreed to a three-year entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers. Shortly afterward, he was assigned to Väsby IK of HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden’s second-tier professional league, to begin his transition from the college game to the professional style. The early months in Sweden gave Kemp valuable minutes against men, sharpening his defensive zone reads and puck-moving habits.
After Väsby’s season ended, the Oilers reassigned Kemp on March 27, 2021, to the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL, joining fellow prospect Raphaël Lavoie. The move to Bakersfield represented a return to North America and marked the beginning of his most consistent stretch of pro hockey.
Bakersfield Condors Era (2021–2025)
Kemp spent three full seasons with the Bakersfield Condors, establishing himself as a reliable, penalty-killing defenseman with above-average hockey sense for the AHL level. His consistent minutes and steady improvement made him a trusted presence on the Condors’ back end, where he often matched up against opposing teams’ top lines.
Following the 2022–23 campaign, the Oilers organization rewarded his growth by re-signing him in May 2023 to a two-year, two-way contract, signaling their continued investment in his development. The deal paved the way for his NHL debut, which arrived on January 13, 2024, when he stepped onto the ice against the Montreal Canadiens. Although his time in the NHL was brief, it confirmed his readiness to compete at the sport’s highest level and validated his long-term path through the minor leagues.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2025–Present)
After five seasons within the Edmonton system, Kemp became an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025. On July 2, 2025, the Pittsburgh Penguins signed him to a two-year, two-way contract that runs through the 2026–27 season, securing both his NHL and AHL commitments. The Penguins immediately assigned him to their top affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he was expected to play a significant role on the blue line.
For Kemp, the move to Pittsburgh represents a fresh opportunity to compete for NHL ice time while serving as a steady veteran presence in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. His combination of size, right-shot flexibility, and penalty-killing experience fit the organizational needs of a Penguins team refreshing its defensive depth. Early in his tenure with the club, he has logged steady minutes and provided the kind of dependable, low-maintenance game that coaches value in depth defensemen.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kemp’s game is built on positioning, stick detail, and reliable defensive zone play rather than flashy offense. His 6-foot-3 frame allows him to win board battles and clear the front of the net, while his calm puck movement helps his team break out of pressure. Coaches have praised his penalty-killing instincts and his ability to log tough, shutdown minutes against top opponents.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Kemp’s career are his Yale captaincy in 2019–20, his 208th-overall selection by the Oilers in the 2017 NHL Draft, and his first NHL appearance against the Montreal Canadiens on January 13, 2024. Each milestone reflects a steady, step-by-step climb through the professional ranks.
Phil Kemp Career Wins
Kemp’s professional resume is defined more by steady contributions and leadership than by trophy-case accolades. While detailed win totals in the AHL and HockeyAllsvenskan are not publicly cataloged, his progression from a seventh-round pick to a two-way NHL contract underscores his durability and value to winning environments.
Bakersfield Condors Highlights
During three seasons with the Condors, Kemp became a fixture on the penalty kill and a trusted partner for younger defenders learning the pro game. His consistent presence helped stabilize a back end that regularly cycled through NHL-bound prospects. Although the Condors did not capture a Calder Cup during his tenure, Kemp’s individual reliability earned him a new contract and, eventually, his first NHL recall.
Phil Kemp Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hockey runs in the Kemp family. His brother, Thomas Kemp, also played at a high level, suiting up at Phillips Exeter before continuing his career at Providence College. The brothers trained together throughout their teenage years in Connecticut, pushing each other to refine their games. Public information about other family members remains limited.
Personal Life
Philip Kemp has kept his personal life largely private and has not publicly shared details about a spouse, partner, or children. He continues to live a quiet, hockey-focused lifestyle as he settles into the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. Off the ice, he is known among teammates for a calm, steady demeanor that mirrors his approach to the game.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year marks a true turning point in Kemp’s career, beginning with the conclusion of his time in the Edmonton system and culminating in his July signing with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He joined Wilkes-Barre/Scranton determined to translate his AHL experience into an expanded NHL role with Pittsburgh. Early-season reports out of Wilkes-Barre highlighted his dependable defensive play and his immediate fit on the team’s penalty-killing units.
As the year progresses, Kemp is expected to push for NHL recalls whenever Pittsburgh needs a steady, right-shot defenseman. His two-way contract keeps him flexible between affiliates, giving the Penguins options as injuries and roster moves arise. With playoff experience in the AHL and a newly signed deal running through 2026–27, Kemp has both short-term motivation and long-term security heading into the heart of the 2025–26 campaign.