Oilers Prospect coming out of retirement is turning heads at training camp

Oilers insider Bob Stauffer shared a quick update on the big standouts in the first few days of training camp. Noah Philp, a 26 year old undrafted free agent signing, is reportedly making a great impression.

Philp signed with the Oilers in August of 2022 after two seasons with the University of Alberta. The 6'3 right shot centreman joined the Bakersfield Condors full time in 2022-23 and was a great two-way player by all accounts, scoring 19 goals and 37 points in 70 games.

Unfortunately, Philp announced he was retiring from hockey after that season due to personal reasons. He's never elaborated on that explanation, but Philp made the decision to return this offseason, and the Oilers signed him to a one year contract for $775K. Speaking to the media yesterday, Philp only said that the decision to step away from hockey was a gut feeling he needed to follow.

It's not just Stauffer that's mentioned Philp as an early standout candidate either. Earlier reports from the Edmonton Journal noted that Philp reported to camp in great physical shape and with the goal to make the NHL roster. With this level of drive coming out of retirement for personal reasons at such a young age, it's easy to cheer for Philp.

The Oilers are heading into next season as the oldest team in the NHL, and if they want to inject a bit of youth in their lineup, the bottom six forward group would be the area. There's potential for Matthew Savoie to earn some games in the bottom six wing as the Oilers top prospect, but if Noah Philp continues to impress in preseason, he could win over the fourth line center job from veteran Derek Ryan.

Preseason games will begin tomorrow night with the Oilers hosting the Winnipeg Jets at home. They'll play 8 games before their regular season opener, and many of these young players will be fighting to prove themselves and maybe even earn a roster spot on a cup-contending team.

Source for Philp Stats: PuckPedia - Noah Philp