Edmonton Oilers prospect hangs up the skates at age 24

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Cooper Godin
June 14, 2023 (6:59 PM)

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Edmonton Oilers prospect Noah Philp has decided to retire from professional hockey at the age of 24 after only one season in the organization spent entirely with the AHL's Bakersfield Condors.

In a recent interview with Daniel Nugent-Brown of The Athletic, Oilers General Manager Ken Holland announced that Philp has decided to retire for personal reasons.

"Philp is not playing hockey next year. He's made a decision to call it a career. It was a very, very difficult year for him. He told us he wants to be around Calgary and close to his family and friends. For personal reasons, he's not playing hockey." Holland said.

He added, "He made great progress. We liked him. We wanted to re-sign him. We offered him a two-year contract. We were anxious to see what he could do in training camp. But he's not interested."

The Canmore (Alberta) native spent four seasons in the Western Hockey League playing for the Kootenay Ice and Seattle Thunderbirds. Following his junior career, Philp made the jump to Canadian university hockey, where he played two years with the University of Alberta Golden Bears program.

At the conclusion of his second season with the University of Alberta, the Oilers signed Philp to a one-year contract for the 2022-23 campaign. In his first professional season, he put up 37 points (19 goals, 18 assists), 61 penalty minutes and was a plus-four in 70 games.

Update Philip issued the following statement:

I want to start off by thanking the Edmonton Oilers and Bakersfield Condors. The treatment of players and overall atmosphere they've created is amazing. I have nothing but respect for everyone within both organizations and I'll always be grateful for the opportunity I received.

I'm at a time in my life where I want to focus on things outside the realm of hockey. I'm doing well and wish all the best to the players, coaches and staff in Bakersfield and in Edmonton.