Each week, DUBNetwork will be conducting interviews with people who are directly involved (or have been involved) in the Western Hockey League in some capacity. This includes players, prospects, alumni, team staff, radio broadcasters, etc. We will then post the transcript of the interview for our fans to read and enjoy, in an attempt to get to know these people a little better.
This week, I interviewed Victoria Royals forward Matthew Phillips. Matthew is an 18-year-old centre from
Calgary, and is entering his sophomore season in the WHL. He was recently taken in the sixth round of the 2016 NHL entry draft by his hometown Calgary Flames. He was kind enough to sit down and answer some questions for us recently. Enjoy!
Matthew, first off I just want to say congratulations on being selected by the Flames this past June. Was it a dream come true being selected by your hometown NHL team? Did you have any idea that they were considering choosing you or was it quite a surprise?
It was the definition of a dream come true. To be drafted into the NHL, let alone to my hometown team I’ve grown up watching, is a special and unique opportunity. I had an interview with the Flames following the season, which I felt went well. I definitely had my fingers crossed that they would call my name on draft day.
Tell me a little bit about draft day. You were a later round pick, so were you in attendance? If not, how and where did you find out you were selected by Calgary?
I was not in attendance. I was actually driving to an ice time when I got a text from my agent telling me the news. Shortly after that my phone started blowing up with calls and texts.
You just completed your first NHL camp. What were some things you took away from it and what are some things that the Flames brass want you to work on this season?
The camp was a great learning experience, and a big takeaway for me was the consistency. You need to come to the rink sharp and ready to perform every day. The message to me coming back to Victoria was to push the pace of my teammates in practice and games. Keeping the pace and intensity of the camp in my game all season long will help me and our team be successful this season.
Looking back, you were taken fairly high in the WHL bantam draft (second round, 33rd overall), and then in your 16-year-old season you were sent down by to the Calgary Buffaloes in midget AAA. While lighting it up in midget, did you ever think it was possible to jump into the WHL at 17 years old and put up 76 points in 72 games?
Looking back, playing midget as a 16-year-old was the best thing for my hockey development. I had the opportunity to play in key situations and play big minutes every game. The season helped me grow as a player and as a person and enabled me to come into camp as a 17-year-old with a lot of confidence in my game. Adam Redmond and the rest of the coaching staff played a huge role in helping prepare me on and off the ice for the WHL.
To what do you attribute your phenomenal rookie season success?
I would attribute my success to our team success. We had a special group of guys who gelled from day one. We had a great leadership group and everyone on the team was willing to learn and work hard for each other which was evident with our on-ice success.
Dave Lowry has the reputation of being one of the best junior coaches in all of Canada. He has experience coaching at the NHL level and the world junior level, and was involved in the NHL as a player for parts of 19 seasons. What is it like having a coach with that much knowledge and expertise, and how has he helped you progress over the past year or so, as a person and a player?
Dave is a coach who wants the best for every player on the roster. He has high expectations for players and knows how to get the best out of his guys. Dave’s knowledge is incredible; he is someone who seems to know the answer to any question you may have (hockey or not) and has a great understanding of the right way to play the game. It is no fluke he has won WHL coach of the year two of the last three seasons. I’m very thankful he’s coached the Royals since I was drafted here and I’m very fortunate that I get to learn from him every day.
You are listed at 5-foot-6 and 141 pounds. Was height ever an issue for you growing up through the hockey ranks or do you think the sport has evolved enough over the last decade to where size is not as big of factor as it once was?
I’ve grown up always being the smallest player on my team so it’s something I’m used to. I’ve learned to play a certain style, which allows me to compete despite my size. The game evolving recently has helped smaller players in a big way and there is evidence in the NHL with players such as Gaudreau, Johnson, Gallagher, etc.
Staying on the subject of smaller hockey players, it only takes a quick Google search of your name to find out that many people are already comparing you to Johnny Gaudreau. Is “Johnny Hockey” somebody that you look up to or compare your play to?
He is someone that I have watched closely since he entered the NHL. Seeing a player his size make the impact that he does makes him a great player to look up to. He brings a special energy to the game and is flat out electrifying to watch. I try to watch him closely when he plays and notice the little details that he does so well.
Coming off a year where your Victoria Royals finished first overall in the Western Hockey League’s regular season, what are the expectations for this season? Do you believe there are enough key pieces still in place that will allow the Royals to make a push for a championship?
Every team’s goal entering a new season is to win a title and ours is no different. We have a lot of players returning from what was a great season and a great step for the organization. Obviously we have some holes to fill from losing some key players but there is a lot of excitement surrounding our young players who are looking to step up and take on increased roles.
This past off-season you were not only preparing for your second full season in the WHL, but also for your first-ever NHL camp. Can you speak a bit about what your off-season training schedule/routine looks like?
I feel like I had a great summer in preparation for the season and my first NHL camp. I spent my fifth summer with Bold Athlete Development in Calgary. I was in the gym six times a week and my on-ice sessions increased as the summer went on.
Thank you for answering those questions, Matthew. Next I am going to ask you some rapid fire questions. Ready?
Besides Victoria’s rink, what is your favourite WHL arena to play in and why?
Calgary. I grew up with season tickets to the Hitmen. It’s an NHL facility and I get to play in front of family and friends.
If you weren’t a hockey player, what do you think you would be?
No idea.
Favourite hockey memory?
Getting drafted by the Calgary Flames.
What type of music (or who) do you listen to before a game?
Anything upbeat.
What is your go-to pregame meal?
Whole wheat penne with tomato sauce and chicken.
Thanks for your time Matthew, and good luck with the Royals this season!
