Phillips razor-sharp in debut; De Leo a savvy veteran

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This article was published 17/09/2016 (3284 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PENTICTON, B.C. — One thing is certain — Jamie Phillips sure is a quick study.

The 23-year-old goaltender made a dazzling 2016 debut for the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets, stopping 21 of 22 shots during a 30-minute outing at the Young Stars Classic rookie tournament Friday night. He shared duties with 18-year-old Russian Mikhail Berdin in a 4-1 loss to the Calgary Flames.

Saturday was a practise day for the Jets but today Phillips will start and is expected to play the entire game against the Vancouver Canucks rookies at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

For Phillips, who signed an entry-level deal with the Jets this summer, it’s been a long time coming. The Caledonia, Ont., product finished a four-year college career at Michigan Tech by posting a 1.97 goals-against average, .922 save percentage and a 23-8-5 record in 36 appearances in 2015-16.

The performance finally earned a contract offer from Winnipeg, although Phillips could have become an unrestricted free agent by waiting a few extra months. That was never a consideration.

“I’ve always wanted to be a Jet since they drafted me (in the seventh round of 2012) and I was just patient and waited it out,” he said, adding he wasn’t deterred by Winnipeg’s rich array of young goaltending talent that includes Connor Hellebuyck and Eric Comrie. He aims to crack the Moose roster this fall.

Phillips said staying in school had some perks, too, where he majored in kinesiology and took some pre-med classes.

“My parents really instilled a good work ethic and (dedication) in school,” said Phillips. “My mom was a dentist and now she’s a doctor. My dad’s a pretty successful teacher.”

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Chase De Leo is participating in his third Young Stars Classic but seemed unfazed by returning to play in an event that includes a lot of very raw rookies.

The 20-year-old centre scored 40 points, including 19 goals, during his rookie season with the Manitoba Moose in 2015-16, and insists he’s enjoying the big brother role he’s assumed this week. Advising young players seems to come naturally.

“It’s nonstop and I like that,” said De Leo. “(It’s) probably why they had me come here and help the young guys… I didn’t even think twice about it. As soon as they invited me, it wasn’t like ‘S—, (not) this again.’”

De Leo is hungry to push for a spot in the bigs this fall.

“I’m gonna do whatever it takes to play in the NHL for the Jets,” he said. “Whether it’s in the bottom-six (forwards) or whatever they need me for. I’m willing to kill penalties. I try to use my versatility to my advantage.”

The Moose were not a playoff team last season but that had some unintended benefit for De Leo.

A longer off-season meant more time to work out.

“I worked out and put on 10 pounds of muscle (to 195 pounds),” said De Leo, who is generously listed at 5-11. “I didn’t lose any speed or quickness. It was a long summer for me and I think it definitely helped me out.”

Moose coach Pascal Vincent is a big supporter.

“He’s got a maturity to his game,” said Vincent, “but it’s our job to get him to the next level. So far, I like what I’m seeing.”

 NOTES: The Jets rookies will wrap up their participation in the Young Stars Classic Monday afternoon against the Edmonton Oilers before returning to Winnipeg for the start of main training camp… Russian goaltender Mikhail Berdin is scheduled to start against the Oilers.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14