Prospect game takeaways: Flames’ Mace’o Phillips steals the show

CALGARY – Absolute specimen.

That’s how Flames director of player development, Ray Edwards, described Mace’o Phillips mere hours before the young defenceman used his 6-foot-6, 230-pound frame to steal the show.

Down 1-0, late in the first period of Monday’s NextGen prospects game against the Oilers, Phillips adeptly recognized Weston Cameron was being a little too reckless with his 6-foot-4 body, and called on the visitor to fight.

After a few early exchanges, seven straight rights by Phillips buckled the Oiler, prompting 9,000 Dome dwellers to rise in unison. 

As a punctuation mark, Phillips immediately skated straight towards the Flames bench for an animated flyby that included a series of fist pumps.

It was a Costco-sized example of why the 19-year-old Minnesotan is one of the organization’s most intriguing prospects.

“It was pretty electric tonight, the juices are flowing, and I’m just trying to get a spark for the boys, feeding off the crowd,” said Phillips, who made a similar splash a year earlier when he fought Connor Clattenburg.

“That’s something that’s part of my game, and I just want to do whatever the team needs from me.”

On a team that will spend the next few years adding high-end skill that will need to be protected, Phillips is the type of nuclear deterrent who could come in handy, much like three of his idols, Darnell Nurse, Nikita Zadorov and K’Andre Miller.

“There’s so many things that he brings to the table that we don’t have a ton of, and most guys don’t have a ton of – so it’s exciting that way,” said Edwards, whose club picked the towering prospect in the third round in 2025.

“There aren’t a ton of (230-pounders), and while I know Nurse isn’t 230 pounds, I see similarities in their game – physicality and the way he skates. Like Darnell, he’s a tough defender that is mean.”

An unheard-of 187 penalty minutes in 44 games as an 18-year-old rookie with Green Bay in the USHL last season speaks to his rugged nature.

“Yeah, I would say I’m a physically dominant defenceman – I take pride in being hard to play against, and I can contribute offensively at the right times as well,” said Phillips, who is known for his polite, cheerful demeanour off the ice.

“I think being mean is important with hockey. You’ve got to bear down, play hard, and be hard on the ice. I’m kind of the complete opposite off the ice, keeping it light and positive, always happy and stuff. But I think once you step on the ice, you don’t have any friends. You’re competing to win, and I don’t love anything more than winning.”

The Flames haven’t had that type of snarl on the back end in a long time. Given the roadmap to the NHL Phillips will likely have to take, through junior and perhaps next year in college, it may still be some time before he makes the jump.

Originally slated to play college hockey this year, he opted instead to play junior, where Medicine Hat traded for his rights so he could play close to Calgary, where the Flames development team can help him grow his game. 

“He couldn’t have gone back to the USHL – he would never last in that league this year, they’d suspend him, and he’d be done,” chuckled Edwards.

“He’s in the right spot, playing for a great coach in Willie (Desjardins) and his staff, playing lots and getting lots of touches. We don’t necessarily want him fighting all the time, but we’ve got to help him with that too, with techniques, so he can be a better fighter, because it’s going to happen.”

It happened Monday, and it electrified the crowd, the bench, and management.

Five other players who stood out in the Flames’ 6-1 loss to Edmonton.

Matvei Gridin: As the Flames’ leading scorer the last quarter of the season, Gridin was a bit of a surprise inclusion in the rookie camp/game, as he’s expected to start the season on the Flames’ top line. His line with Tyson Gross and Aydar Suniev was indeed the best Monday, making several great passing plays to give all three prime scoring chances. 

Aydar Suniev: The tremendous hands that made the 21-year-old a third-round draft pick in 2023 were on display in tight when he walked in and roofed the Flames’ only goal. He had several good scoring chances, getting off good shots every time.    

Tyson Gross: Perhaps the frontrunner to join Gridin on the big club opening night, the 23-year-old Calgarian made several great setups, killed penalties and was noticeable all night as their top centre.   

Ryder Boulton: The son of former NHL tough guy Eric Boulton clearly comes by his aggressive nature, honestly, finishing every check possible, trying his best to shake things up every shift.  

Chase Harrington: The second-rounder is going to be fun to watch for many years, and Monday’s performance demonstrated why, as he constantly finished checks, had one great scoring chance, ensured he gave the Oilers goalie a bump on his way by and then offered a backhand to the face of a defender. Involved in everything. Edwards said Harrington is a throwback player who has the ability to drag his team into the fight, à la Matthew Tkachuk.