Phillips called up to Winnipeg Jets to begin Stanley Cup Playoffs
WINNIPEG, Manitoba – Former Michigan Tech goaltender Jamie Phillips was called up to the NHL's Winnipeg Jets the team announced on Wednesday (April 11). The Jets begin the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, hosting the Minnesota Wild at Bell MTS Place.
Phillips, 25, has a 6-7-0 record in 16 games with the AHL's Manitoba Moose this season with a 2.76 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. The Caledonia, Ontario native has also played 16 games for the ECHL's Jacksonville IceMen this year and has a record of 3-11-0 with a shutout. He has yet to appear in an NHL game in his career.
Phillips had been serving as the third goaltender for the Moose, behind Second-Team AHL All-Star Michael Hutchinson and Eric Comrie. He is being added to the Jets roster to provide depth. Connor Hellebuyck will start Game 1. Steve Mason will serve as the team's backup, while Phillips is expected to be in the building as an emergency third goaltender.
Phillips was a seventh-round (190th overall) pick by Winnipeg in the 2012 NHL Draft. He was named the starter of the 2016 ECHL All-Star Game during his first pro season last year and played 31 games in the ECHL for the Tulsa Oilers and 11 games for the Moose. In October 2016, he was named the ECHL Goaltender of the Month.
Phillips played four seasons (2012-16) for Michigan Tech, posting a 2.00 goals-against average and .922 save percentage in his career. He had a .678 (57-25-8) winning percentage and is Tech's all-time shutout leader with 10. Phillips was a two-time All-WCHA selection and named the WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete as a senior. He was also a finalist for the Senior Class Award in 2015-16 and the Mike Richter Award in 2014-15.