Phillip Di Giuseppe Bio
Phillip Di Giuseppe (born October 9, 1993) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who plays for the Manitoba Moose in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). A versatile winger known for his two-way play and steady work rate, he was selected 38th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Across more than a decade in professional hockey, Di Giuseppe has built a long resume in both the AHL and NHL, contributing as a depth scorer and reliable penalty killer.
Early Life and Background
Phillip Di Giuseppe was born on October 9, 1993, in Maple, Ontario, a community in the city of Vaughan just north of Toronto. He is the son of Luciano Di Giuseppe, who works as a general contractor, and Cathy Di Giuseppe, who works in finance. Growing up in a hockey-aware region of southern Ontario, Phillip was surrounded by competitive youth leagues from an early age. He first laced up the skates when he was seven years old, beginning a steady climb through the Greater Toronto Hockey League system.
Di Giuseppe developed his game with the Vaughan Kings of the Greater Toronto Hockey League before moving on to the Villanova Knights of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). During the 2009–10 season with the Knights, he produced 16 goals and 31 assists across 56 games, establishing himself as one of the league’s most promising young forwards. At the conclusion of that campaign, he was selected in the sixth round of the 2009 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Draft by the Niagara IceDogs.
Path to Professional Hockey
Although drafted by Niagara, Di Giuseppe opted to remain in the OJHL for the 2010–11 season and immediately took a major step forward. He broke out with 24 goals and 39 assists for 63 points, then added six goals and 10 assists in 10 playoff games. His strong play was recognized when he was named to the South-East Conference All-Prospects Second Team.
During his time with the Knights, Di Giuseppe committed to the University of Michigan, joining the Wolverines of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) for the 2011–12 season. He spent three years in Ann Arbor from 2011 to 2014 while enrolled in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, sharpening his game against top NCAA competition. That pathway ultimately shaped him into a draft prospect ready for the NHL.
Phillip Di Giuseppe Career
Early Career (2011–2014)
Di Giuseppe’s freshman year at Michigan was a strong one. He scored his first two NCAA goals on October 8 in a 4–1 win over the Bentley Falcons and finished October as the CCHA Rookie of the Month. He led the Wolverines with seven goals over 16 games by late November and was ranked 28th among North American draft-eligible skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. Following the season, the Carolina Hurricanes selected him in the second round, 38th overall, in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Across three collegiate seasons, Di Giuseppe registered 13 goals and 11 assists in his final year, finishing fifth on the Wolverines in scoring. After 115 games at Michigan, he chose to forgo his senior season and signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Hurricanes on March 26, 2014. He was immediately assigned to the Charlotte Checkers on an amateur tryout, recording one assist in three AHL games to close out the 2013–14 regular season.
Carolina Hurricanes Era (2014–2019)
Di Giuseppe began the 2015–16 season with the Checkers before earning his first NHL recall on December 4, 2015. The following day he made his NHL debut in a 3–2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Over the next several seasons, he split time between Charlotte and the NHL roster, working his way into a depth role with the Hurricanes. On July 27, 2017, Carolina re-signed him to a one-year, two-way contract worth $725,000.
On January 1, 2019, Di Giuseppe was claimed on waivers by the Nashville Predators. He appeared in three NHL games for Nashville while also suiting up for 24 games with their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, before moving on as a free agent later that summer.
New York Rangers Era (2019–2021)
On July 18, 2019, Di Giuseppe signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New York Rangers. Assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL, he led the club with six goals and seven assists through 25 games by December and also led the team in shots on goal. He finished the shortened 2019–20 season with one goal and three assists in 20 NHL games while averaging 9.70 shots on goal per 60 minutes of ice time at five-on-five. On October 13, 2020, he signed a contract extension to remain with the Rangers organization.
Vancouver Canucks Era (2021–2025)
Di Giuseppe joined the Vancouver Canucks organization in 2021 and signed a one-year, two-way contract extension on July 28, 2021. He attended the Canucks’ Development Camp ahead of the 2021–22 season and was assigned to their new AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks. After a recall in December 2021 was cut short by a positive COVID-19 test, he returned to action in Abbotsford and finished the season ranked sixth on the team in scoring with new career highs of 24 assists and 36 points.
He signed another one-year, two-way extension on July 13, 2022, and began 2022–23 recovering from a lower-body injury before being placed on waivers for assignment to Abbotsford. On March 12, 2023, he signed a two-year, two-way contract extension with the Canucks. On June 23, 2025, Di Giuseppe won the Calder Cup as a member of the Abbotsford Canucks, capping four seasons inside the Vancouver system.
Winnipeg Jets Era (2025–Present)
After four seasons with the Canucks organization, Di Giuseppe departed as a free agent and signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Winnipeg Jets for the 2025–26 season on July 2, 2025. The deal runs through 2026 and keeps him within the Jets’ system, where he is expected to play for the Manitoba Moose in the AHL while remaining an option for NHL call-ups.
Driving Style and Strengths
Di Giuseppe is regarded as a dependable two-way winger who brings energy, shot volume, and responsible play without the puck. He excels at generating chances through hard, direct drives to the net and has shown strong chemistry with skilled linemates at both the AHL and NHL levels. His willingness to play a structured, team-first game has helped him thrive in bottom-six and checking-line roles.
Notable Events and Milestones
The standout moment of Di Giuseppe’s professional career came on June 23, 2025, when he helped the Abbotsford Canucks capture the Calder Cup. That championship followed his NHL debut with Carolina on December 5, 2015, and a steady climb through six NHL organizations, marking him as a durable, journeyman professional whose persistence paid off with a title at the AHL level.
Phillip Di Giuseppe Family
Family Background and Hockey Roots
Phillip Di Giuseppe grew up in a supportive household in Maple, Ontario, the son of Luciano and Cathy Di Giuseppe. His father works as a general contractor and his mother works in finance, providing a stable environment that allowed Phillip to pursue competitive hockey from a young age. The family remained in the Greater Toronto Area throughout his youth.
Personal Life
Di Giuseppe is a Canadian citizen and has spent much of his adult life between AHL and NHL cities across North America. Public details about his personal relationships and family life beyond his parents remain limited, and he tends to keep his private life out of the public eye.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year marked a major turning point in Di Giuseppe’s career. He helped the Abbotsford Canucks win the Calder Cup in June, then entered free agency and signed with the Winnipeg Jets on July 2, 2025, joining their organization on a one-year, two-way deal that runs through 2026. With Manitoba as his expected primary home, he brings AHL championship experience and a track record of NHL reliability to the Jets’ depth chart.
Di Giuseppe’s combination of shot volume, defensive responsibility, and postseason success makes him a steady option for the Jets as they manage roster movement throughout the 2025–26 season. His ability to play both special teams and even-strength minutes gives Winnipeg valuable flexibility. Heading into the rest of the year, he will look to translate his Calder Cup form into another NHL opportunity while serving as a veteran presence for the Manitoba Moose.