The 50-goal scorer for the Victoria Royals of the major-junior WHL has been called up to Stockton of the American Hockey League, which is in a playoff race with five regular-season games remaining.
鈥淚 was the smallest guy out there in WHL games. That [size factor] is magnified a bit in the pros. I鈥檒l just play my game and keep doing what got me here,鈥� said Phillips, who turned 19 on Thursday.
Phillips is a late-round Calgary Flames draft pick. Stockton is the AHL farm team of the Flames. Phillips has not yet been signed by the Flames and is up in the pros on an amateur tryout agreement following the Royals鈥� elimination in the first round of the WHL playoffs.
鈥淚 wish I was still playing with Victoria in the playoffs. But this is the next best thing,鈥� he said.
Regardless of what happens in Stockton, Phillips is guaranteed to return to play in Victoria next season.
鈥淭his will show me what it鈥檚 like at the next level,鈥� said Phillips.
鈥淓verybody is fighting for jobs [in the AHL/ECHL minor-pro system] and they take pride in taking care of the little details. I am focusing on those details it takes to play at the pro level.鈥�
Stockton鈥檚 next game is tonight against the San Jose Barracuda. Phillips skated in his first practice Friday in Stockton.
Twitter.com/tc_vicsports
