While the Calgary Flames have punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup playoffs, the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat are in the midst of a battle for the last Pacific Division playoff spot. Well, the Heat just got some reinforcements. The club announced today that they’ve signed junior star Matthew Phillips to an amateur try-out deal.
Phillips, who turned 19 yesterday, was a sixth round selection by the Flames in the 2016 NHL Draft. He followed his selection with an incredible offensive season for the Western Hockey League’s Victoria Royals – he amassed 50 goals (tied for 3rd in the WHL) and 90 points (tied for 9th in the WHL) – despite being a small, small man and younger than most of the guys ahead of him.