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Former ICE standout excelling in Canada West
Former Kootenay ICE scoring forward and current Alberta Golden Bear Luke Philp is the Canada West Men’s Hockey (CW) First Half Top Performer, as announced Dec. 13 by CW and the Western Hockey League (WHL).
The new award honours the top WHL grad from the first half of the CW men’s hockey season and is selected by the conference’s eight head coaches.
Philp, who played 264 career WHL regular season games, is tied for the CW scoring lead with 20 points. The business student led the conference in scoring last season with 40 points. He has 20 points (9G-11A) through 12 games this season.
Philps joined Alberta for the 2016-17 season after spending four full seasons in the WHL between 2012 and 2016.
He tallied 235 points in 247 games with the ICE between 2011/12 and 2015/16, which ties him for fifth overall in franchise history with Steven DeSilva and Max Reinhart.
Philp concluded his time in the WHL, after being traded, with a solid playoff for the Red Deer Rebels in 2016, tallying 13 points in 17 games
Philp said he is hoping to use his CW career as a stepping-stone to professional hockey after securing his university degree. The business student wants to stay in the game after his time on the ice is complete, with a career in hockey management, or business operations.
“With the competitiveness of our league, it’s a humbling accomplishment to receive this award,” said Philp.
“Whenever someone wins an individual award, the team they play for has a lot to do with it. Looking at our team, I truly believe we have numerous guys who could’ve received this acknowledgement.”
The Canmore, Alta. resident is one of four Golden Bears inside the conference’s top 10 in scoring at the December break, as Alberta sits second in the CW standings heading into 2019.
“It’s nice to see Luke being recognized by the Canada West coaches for his first half. Luke has been a leader on and off the ice for us this season, and I think this award exemplifies that,” said Golden Bears head coach Ian Herbers.
“His skill is incredible, but it’s the work ethic and leadership he brings to the rink everyday that sets him apart. I have little doubt that he will be able to lead us to further success in the second half.”
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