The Washington Capitals recalled Matthew Phillips this morning from the American Hockey League.
Since returning to the organization due to a wire claim, Phillips has scored three points (1g, 2a) with the Hershey Bears. He previously played 30 games in the NHL with the Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins, posting five points (1g, 4a).
Phillips arrives as Tom Wilson faces a major suspension from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for a dangerous high stick he threw on Toronto Maple Leafs forward Noah Gregor in Wednesday’s 7-3 loss. Wilson was offered an in-person hearing from Player Safety, meaning he can be suspended six games or more for his actions.
TJ Oshie (upper body) and Aliaksei Protas (lower body) also missed the Capitals’ game against the Toronto Maple Leafs due to injury.
With the Capitals chasing a playoff spot and Phillips already comfortable with head coach Spencer Carbery’s system, he was likely preferred over other options in Hershey like Ethen Frank.
Here’s the Capitals full press release:
Capitals Recall Matthew Phillips
Forward has appeared in 27 games with Washington this season
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled forward Matthew Phillips from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Phillips, 25, has recorded five points (1g, 4a) in 30 games with the Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins this season. Phillips, who played 27 games for Washington before being claimed off waivers by Pittsburgh on Feb. 16, was reclaimed by the Capitals on March 5. Phillips scored his first career NHL goal and tallied his first assist in the Capitals’ 3-2 shootout win over the Calgary Flames on Oct. 16. In four games with Hershey this season, Phillips has registered three points (1g, 2a).
Phillips, a Calgary native, was drafted by the Flames in the sixth round (166th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft and spent seven years in the Flames organization before signing with Washington last summer. In 33 career NHL games with the Capitals, Penguins and Flames, Phillips has registered five points (1g, 4a).
Phillips recorded 76 points (36g, 40a) in 66 games with the Calgary Wranglers of the AHL in 2022-23. Phillips led the AHL’s top-regular season team in scoring and ranked second in the AHL in goals and fifth in points. Phillips was named to the AHL’s First All-Star Team last season and played in the AHL’s All-Star Game in 2020. In 269 career AHL games, Phillips has registered 240 points (104g, 136a). The Calgary, Alberta native played four seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Victoria Royals, recording 281 points (136g, 145a) in 215 career games.
