Jonathan Phillips (ice hockey)

Last updated

Jonathan Phillips
Born (1982-07-14) 14 July 1982 (age 42)
Cardiff, Wales
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 181 lb (82 kg; 12 st 13 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Right
NIHL team Sheffield Steeldogs
Played for Sheffield Steelers
Cardiff Devils
EHF Passau Black Hawks
National teamFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain
Playing career 1998present

Jonathan Phillips (born 14 July 1982) is a Welsh professional ice hockey forward who plays for the Sheffield Steeldogs of the NIHL

Contents

He captained the Sheffield Steelers from 2007-2013 and 2014-2023

Phillips also captained the Great Britain men's national ice hockey team from 2012–2023 and passed 100 senior caps at the 2021 IIHF World Championship. [1] [2]

In May 2022, Phillips passed Ashley Tait for the most senior Great Britain ice hockey caps with 111, achieving the feat at the 2022 IIHF World Championship. [3]

Career

Phillips played both football and ice hockey growing up, however by the age of 11 he fully committed to ice hockey. He caught the attention of Cardiff Devils's coach Paul Heavey while playing for Great Britain's Under 18 and Under 20 International team, and was named to his squad for 1999-00 season. [4] He spent three seasons with the Devils in the Elite Ice Hockey League before joining the Sheffield Steelers under coach Dave Matsos. [5] In his first season with the Steelers, he was named an alternate captain before being promoted to captain midway through the season after Shawn Maltby was injured. [6] During his first three seasons, Phillips led the team to two Playoff Championships and League title. [7] In September 2011, Phillips underwent surgery to repair damaged knee ligaments. [8]

During the 2013–14 season, Phillips lost his captaincy to Stephen Goertzen but it was returned the following season. [9] In April 2017, Phillips helped lead the Steelers to two milestones. He became the most-capped Sheffield Steelers player in history and also helped the team become the second in UK history to record ten playoff wins. [10] After re-signing with the team, [11] he set another milestone by becoming the first EIHL player to reach 1000 games played. [12]

Phillips initially agreed to re-sign with the Sheffield Steelers in 2020 for a 15th year, however after the 2020–21 Elite League season was suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic, he moved to the German Oberliga side EHF Passau Black Hawks in November 2020. [13] [14] [15]

In February 2021, Phillips returned to the UK to sign for NIHL side Sheffield Steeldogs ahead of their Spring Cup series. [16] He then rejoined the Sheffield Steelers ahead of the Elite Series in April 2021.

In February 2023, Phillips announced the 2022–23 season would be his last as a professional ice hockey player. [17] He made his final Sheffield Steelers appearance on 16 April 2023, a 7-4 victory over the Nottingham Panthers in the Elite League third/fourth place play-off. [18]

His final professional game - and record-extending 116th senior appearance for Great Britain - was the 2023 IIHF World Championship Division I decider on home ice against Italy at Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on 5 May 2023, with Phillips again as captain. [19] GB won 5-3 to win promotion back to the top tier of the IIHF World Championship. [20]

He would sign with the Sheffield Steeldogs for the 2023-24 season. [21] Later in the season Jonathan would return to the Steelers for a weekend. The Steelers won both games 3-0 (Manchester) 6-3 (Coventry). [22] [23] [24]

Personal life

Phillips met his wife Kirsty in 2000 and they married in 2012. [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guildford Flames</span> Ice hockey team based in Guildford, Surrey, England

The Guildford Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Guildford, Surrey and they play their home games in the Guildford Spectrum. They compete in the top-tier of hockey in the United Kingdom, the Elite Ice Hockey League.

The Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL), sometimes referred to internationally as the British Elite League, is an ice hockey league in the United Kingdom. Formed in 2003 following the demise of the Ice Hockey Superleague, it is the highest level of ice hockey competition in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nottingham Panthers</span> Ice hockey club in Nottingham, England

The Nottingham Panthers are a British professional ice hockey club based in Nottingham, England. They are members of the Elite Ice Hockey League. RHPS are Panthers major sponsor for 2024-25.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheffield Steelers</span> Ice hockey club in Sheffield, England

The Sheffield Steelers are a professional ice hockey team located in Sheffield, England. They were formed in 1991 and play their home games at the Utilita Arena. They are currently a member of the Elite Ice Hockey League. The club's main (title) sponsor is Sheffield Window Centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edinburgh Capitals</span> Scottish ice hockey club

The Edinburgh Capitals are a Scottish ice hockey club, playing in the Scottish National League (SNL). They are based in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. The team play at the Murrayfield Ice Rink, close to Murrayfield Rugby stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telford Tigers</span> Ice hockey team in Telford, Shropshire

The Telford Tigers are a National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) ice hockey team that formed in 1985. After initially closing in 1999, a new team, under the name 'Telford Wild Foxes', was formed in 2001; and re-adopted the original name in 2005.

David Phillips is a British professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) side Hull Seahawks. Phillips was previously with EIHL sides Belfast Giants and Sheffield Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardiff Devils</span> Welsh ice hockey team

The Cardiff Devils are a Welsh professional ice hockey team who play in the UK-based Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). The team plays at Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff Bay, currently known as Vindico Arena for sponsorship reasons.

Ashley Tait is a British ice hockey forward who is currently player/coach for the Basingstoke Bison of the National Ice Hockey League.

Andreas Valdix is a Swedish professional ice hockey centre who is currently signed to National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) side Sheffield Steeldogs. Valdix most recently iced with Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) side Sheffield Steelers. He was selected by the Washington Capitals in the 4th round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Dowd (ice hockey)</span> English ice hockey player

Robert Dowd is an English professional ice hockey player currently playing with UK Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) side Sheffield Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manchester Storm (2015)</span> British ice hockey team

The Manchester Storm are a British professional ice hockey team founded in 2015. They are members of the Elite Ice Hockey League and are based at Planet Ice in Altrincham, Greater Manchester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Bowns</span> Ice hockey player

Ben Bowns is a British professional ice hockey goaltender for UK Elite Ice Hockey League side Cardiff Devils and the Great Britain national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liam Kirk (ice hockey)</span> English ice hockey player (born 2000)

Liam Kirk is a British professional ice hockey left winger currently playing under contract with Eisbären Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Kirk began his career with the British Elite Ice Hockey League club the Sheffield Steelers.

Jackson Whistle is a Canadian-born British professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Belfast Giants of the Elite Ice Hockey League and the British national team. He represented Great Britain at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, 2021 IIHF World Championship,2022 IIHF World Championship and 2024 IIHF World Championship.

Evan Mosey is a British-American ice hockey player for UK Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) side Cardiff Devils and the British national team.

Luke Ferrara is a British ice hockey player who currently plays for UK NIHL side Peterborough Phantoms. A member of the British national team, Ferrara previously played with the Cardiff Devils, Sheffield Steelers, Coventry Blaze and Nottingham Panthers.

Ben O'Connor is a British ice hockey player who currently plays for Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) side Dundee Stars.

Ben Lake is a Canadian-born British ice hockey player for Belfast Giants and the British national team.

Joshua Tetlow is an English ice hockey player for Nottingham Panthers and the British national team.

References

  1. "Phillips: GB future in safe hands". Ice Hockey UK. 31 October 2016. Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  2. "100 caps for Jonathan Phillips and debut cap for Sam Jones" . Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  3. "Jonathan Phillips Set to Become Most-Capped Player in Gb History – Ihuk". Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  4. Phillips, Terry (25 October 2019). "Welsh Winger And Former Devil 'Jonna' Celebrates 1,000 Match Landmark – In Steelers' Colours". dai-sport.com. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  5. Craig Anderson (25 October 2019). "Millennium man Phillips hits massive milestone". britishicehockey.co.uk. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  6. "Jonathan Phillips to set new Elite League record". eliteleague.co.uk. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  7. "Captain Jono To Lead the Steelers Once Again". eliteleague.co.uk. 28 April 2009. Archived from the original on 5 May 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  8. "Steelers Captain Jono Undergoes Surgery". chesterfieldpost.co.uk. 20 September 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  9. "Captain Phillips – A Testimonial Year for the Most Successful Captain in the Clubs History". sheffieldsteelers.co.uk. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  10. Newbolt, Robert (10 April 2017). "Sheffield Steelers win play off title and make history". European Ice Hockey. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  11. "STEELERS RE-SIGN CAPTAIN PHILLIPS". pointstreaksites.com. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  12. "No sign of Sheffield Steelers' Jonathan Phillips slowing down after EIHL milestone". The Yorkshire Post. 28 October 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  13. "Jonathan Phillips Back for a 15th Season" . Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  14. "EIHL Board Suspend 2020-21 Season". EIHL. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  15. "Signed! Black Hawks verpflichten Jonathan Phillips und Anthony DeLuca" (in German). 4 November 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  16. Facebook https://www.facebook.com/190288554339778/posts/3690051181030147/ . Retrieved 8 February 2021.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. "Jonathan Phillips: Great Britain & Sheffield Steelers legend to retire". BBC Sport. 23 February 2023.
  18. "Sheffield Steelers 7-4 Nottingham Panthers, 16 April 2023".
  19. "Thank you Jono - a Great Britain legend".
  20. "GB win gold and promotion on dramatic night in Nottingham".
  21. "Roster Round Up – Sheffield Steeldogs" . Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  22. "Steelers Ask and Jonno Answers for the Steelers – Sheffield Steelers" . Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  23. "Tansey's Steelers 3-0 Victors Over the Storm – Sheffield Steelers" . Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  24. "Tansey Brace Helps Steelers to Victory – Sheffield Steelers" . Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  25. "What is it like being the wife of a Sheffield Steeler?". The Star. 8 March 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2020.