Edmonton Oilers prospect Noah Philp set to resume pro hockey career a year after retirement

A year after stepping away from hockey, Noah Philp will make his return to the pro game next season.

This, according to Oilers colour commentator Bob Stauffer, who reported the 6’3, right-shot centre is set to lace up his skates again. Philp, 25, said in June 2023 he was doing well and was “at a time in his life where I want to focus on things outside the realm of hockey.”

Undrafted, the native of Canmore, Alta., spent one year in the AJHL with the Canmore Eagles before joining the WHL in 2015. Over four seasons with the Kootenay Ice and Seattle Thunderbirds, he scored 54 goals and 166 points. In 2019, Philp joined the University of Alberta Golden Bears, playing 34 regular-season games, where he racked up 20 goals and 38 points, as well as seven goals and 16 points in 10 playoff games.

He signed with the Oilers in April 2022 and appeared in 70 games with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors the following season, scoring 19 goals and 37 points. After Philp stepped away, the Oilers issued him a qualifying offer to retain his rights, leaving the door open for a potential return down the road.

In Oilersnation’s Bruce Curlock’s review of Philp’s 2022-23 season, he opined that the centre is a legitimate NHL prospect.

He’s not a top six player and likely wouldn’t fit most top nines. However, Noah Philp can play a 4th line role in the NHL. He’s a right-shot center with great size and hockey sense. He can score enough to ensure that his line will not be underwater on goal share. These are the players that the Oilers will need for years to come given the salary cap challenges of trying to keep McDavid and Draisaitl together.

After Philp retired, the Oilers had a lack of right-shot centres in the organization. It led the Oilers to trade a 2023 5th-round pick to the New York Rangers in exchange for Jayden Grubbe, who has appeared in 56 games with the Condors this season, scoring seven goals and 13 points.

Philp’s return is great news for him individually and for the organization. The Oilers lack right-shot centre depth, and Philp’s return will help shore up that depth.