Chris Phillips set to join elite few in the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020
Last week, 13 athletes were selected to join the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020, including Western Hockey League Alumni Chris Phillips.
Phillips, a product of Fort McMurray, Alta., spent two seasons in the WHL after being chosen with the first-overall selection in the 1993 WHL Bantam Draft by the Prince Albert Raiders. In his first season, Phillips notched 40-points (10G-30A) in 61 regular season games and was awarded the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as WHL Rookie of the Year. Phillips was also named to the Canadian Hockey League All-Rookie Team and helped team Canada to a Gold-Medal win at the 1995 IIHF Under 20 World Junior Championship.
His outstanding rookie season would catch the eye of many NHL scouts and Phillips would go on to get drafted with the first-overall selection by the Ottawa Senators at the 1996 NHL Draft.
The following season, Phillips returned to the WHL and split the season with the Raiders and Lethbridge Hurricanes. The sophomore followed up his previous year with an even better campaign, registering 48 points (7G-41A) during the 1996-97 WHL Regular Season. Phillips played a key role for the WHL Championship-winning Hurricanes and was awarded the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as Top Defenceman of the Year in the WHL for his efforts.
Phillips was a mainstay for the Senators, spending 18-seasons with the team and serving as a leader both on and off the ice. Phillips played in 1179 NHL games and tallied 288 points (71G-217A). On February 18, 2020 Phillips will have his number-four jersey retired by the Senators.
Phillips will be officially inducted with the rest of the class on May 29, 2020.
Meet the new kids on our block!
Congratulations to the athletes, builders, & award winners selected to join the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.#YourHeroesYourHall pic.twitter.com/oA7MsiLMgl
— Alberta Sports Hall of Fame (@ABSportsHall) December 5, 2019
