Revised Article:
Oilers Prospect Noah Philp Unexpectedly Retires at Age 24
In a surprising turn of events, Noah Philp, a promising Oilers prospect, has announced his retirement from professional hockey at the young age of 24. Ken Holland, the Oilers’ general manager, revealed the news during an interview with Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic. Philp’s decision came as a shock to the team and fans alike.
Holland explained that Philp had endured a challenging year, which ultimately led him to make the difficult choice of ending his hockey career. Philp expressed his desire to be closer to his family and friends in Calgary, citing personal reasons for his decision to step away from the sport.
The Oilers had shown interest in re-signing Philp and had offered him a two-year contract. They recognized his potential and were eager to see his performance in training camp. However, Philp made it clear that he had lost interest in continuing his hockey journey.
Philp began his career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Kootenay Ice in the 2015-16 season. After two seasons, he joined the Seattle Thunderbirds, where he showcased his skills. In the 2017-18 season, he tallied 14 goals and 50 points in 71 games. The following year, he had an impressive campaign with 26 goals and 49 assists, totaling 75 points in 71 games.
Following his WHL tenure, Philp pursued Canadian University hockey, playing for the University of Alberta Golden Bears in the USports League. He continued to excel, recording 27 points in 28 games. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Philp showcased his talent during the 2021-22 season, scoring eight goals in eight games and contributing 14 points in seven playoff games.
Last spring, Philp signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Oilers, leading to his assignment to the Bakersfield Condors in the American Hockey League (AHL). Throughout the past season, he displayed his skills with 19 goals and 37 points in 70 games.