The Niverville Nighthawks bolstered their blueline, adding veteran defender Thomas Phillips via trade, and the 20-year-old Lorette product couldn't be more thrilled to be closer to home.
"I was super pumped up," Phillips says about being informed about the trade. "Obviously, coming home is something I'm super excited for. Getting to play in front of friends and family, especially in my last year, it's going to be fun. Niverville is a place that I always had my eye on, I always thought it be a fun place to go, so I was excited to hear that."
Having played in the MJHL in years past, Phillips is well aware of what it's like going there as a visitor. "Their first year in the league would have been my first year with Virden," he explains. "Then the last two years when I was with the Blizzard, we played them a couple times."
The former Eastman Selects says it's going to be a lot more fun having their passionate fanbase on his side. "I'm pumped up. It's a super fun place to play, it was always one of my favourites. To have them on my side, it's going to be so nice, they are a passionate hockey group and community, it's going to be fun."
For Nighthawks fans, Phillips details his game. "I'm not the biggest guy in the world, but I would call myself a pretty good skating, puck moving defenseman. I like to defend with my feet and my stick. I can jump in and I like to create some offense, too, from the backend."
Being a 20-year-old now, having played 115 regular season MJHL games, Phillips believes that experience is going to help him in Niverville. "From the time I entered the league till now, it's crazy how much you learn from different coaches, and playing with different players. It's experience, and it's so important to have. As a 20, it's something I'll try and bring, too. Having that experience for the younger guys, and to pass it along a little bit."
It's only been a short time since the trade was official, but Phillips says he's already talked with head coach Dwight Hirst and Mike McAulay about what his role will look like. "I talked to them both the day the trade went down. They had nothing but good things to say, which is really exciting. I played for Dwight back when I played Eastman, and I know what he's all about, I liked him as a coach, and I can't wait to play for him again."
Phillips knows that this is a big year for the Nighthawks organization, having been in the playoffs, but looking to get past the first round for the first time, something the newest member of the group is looking forward to. "100%, talking to Dwight and Mike, you can hear how excited they are for this year. Looking at the roster, I played with or against most of the players, and it's a really deep team. Looking at it from my perspective, I believe we can win it all. I think it'll be exciting for the team and the community. I think this is the year to make the jump, for sure."
It's not just on the ice where Phillips believes he can make an impact, as he says a close team off the ice is crucial for success. "I think that's honestly one of the most important things. You want to sit in a room, across from guys you like, and that you want to go to battle for every single night. Having a close team, that chemistry is huge, especially for deep playoff runs. When you're going to be putting in those long hours at the rink, you're going to be seeing these guys every single day, so I think it's one of the more important parts of the team, for sure."
The Phillips family is perhaps more excited than the blueliner. "Oh yeah, they are really fired up," Phillips says with a laugh. "Especially my parents. I've always wanted to be closer to home, and I think the only ones that wanted that more than I did, was them. It's very exciting for them, they'll get to come to every home game, and especially that it's my last year, it will be something very special for both of us."
When it comes to what number he plans to wear, Phillips says he's not superstitious, or even a little-stitious, he's just happy to be a Niverville Nighthawk. "I haven't thought about it. Growing up, I was always number 2, but that changed when I got to junior. I'm not a guy that's about a number, I'll just look at what's available. There's maybe a couple numbers that I hope are out there."
Whatever number he happens to wear, just the fact he's closer to home, and has a chance to win, will make this senior season of junior A even more special for Thomas Phillips, and his family.