Jonathan Phillips (ice hockey) explained

Jonathan Phillips
Position:Forward
Shoots:Right
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
Weight Lb:181
Team:Sheffield Steeldogs
League:NIHL
Played For:Sheffield Steelers
Cardiff Devils
EHF Passau Black Hawks
Ntl Team:GBR
Birth Date:1982 7, df=yes
Birth Place:Cardiff, Wales
Career Start:1998

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 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]

Notes and References

  1. News: Phillips: GB future in safe hands. Ice Hockey UK. 31 October 2016. 25 August 2017.
  2. Web site: 100 caps for Jonathan Phillips and debut cap for Sam Jones. 2 June 2021.
  3. Web site: Jonathan Phillips Set to Become Most-Capped Player in Gb History – Ihuk .
  4. Web site: Phillips . Terry . Welsh Winger And Former Devil 'Jonna' Celebrates 1,000 Match Landmark – In Steelers' Colours . dai-sport.com . 29 March 2020 . 25 October 2019.
  5. Web site: Craig Anderson . Millennium man Phillips hits massive milestone . britishicehockey.co.uk . 29 March 2020 . 25 October 2019.
  6. Web site: Jonathan Phillips to set new Elite League record . eliteleague.co.uk . 29 March 2020 . 23 October 2019.
  7. Web site: Captain Jono To Lead the Steelers Once Again. . eliteleague.co.uk . 29 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090505120645/https://www.eliteleague.co.uk/news/detail.php?id=6639 . 5 May 2009 . 28 April 2009.
  8. Web site: Steelers Captain Jono Undergoes Surgery . chesterfieldpost.co.uk . 29 March 2020 . 20 September 2011.
  9. Web site: Captain Phillips – A Testimonial Year for the Most Successful Captain in the Clubs History. . sheffieldsteelers.co.uk . 29 March 2020.
  10. News: Sheffield Steelers win play off title and make history. Robert. Newbolt. European Ice Hockey. 10 April 2017. 26 August 2017.
  11. Web site: STEELERS RE-SIGN CAPTAIN PHILLIPS . pointstreaksites.com . 29 March 2020 . 8 May 2018.
  12. Web site: No sign of Sheffield Steelers' Jonathan Phillips slowing down after EIHL milestone . The Yorkshire Post . 29 March 2020 . 28 October 2019.
  13. Web site: Jonathan Phillips Back for a 15th Season. 4 November 2020.
  14. Web site: EIHL Board Suspend 2020-21 Season. EIHL. 21 August 2019 . 4 November 2020.
  15. Web site: Signed! Black Hawks verpflichten Jonathan Phillips und Anthony DeLuca . de . 4 November 2020 . 9 April 2023.
  16. Web site: https://www.facebook.com/190288554339778/posts/3690051181030147/ . Facebook. 8 February 2021.
  17. News: Jonathan Phillips: Great Britain & Sheffield Steelers legend to retire. BBC Sport. 23 February 2023.
  18. Web site: Sheffield Steelers 7-4 Nottingham Panthers, 16 April 2023.
  19. Web site: Thank you Jono - a Great Britain legend.
  20. Web site: GB win gold and promotion on dramatic night in Nottingham.
  21. Web site: Roster Round Up – Sheffield Steeldogs . 2024-06-18 . en-GB.
  22. Web site: Steelers Ask and Jonno Answers for the Steelers – Sheffield Steelers . 2024-06-18 . en-GB.
  23. Web site: Tansey’s Steelers 3-0 Victors Over the Storm – Sheffield Steelers . 2024-06-18 . en-GB.
  24. Web site: Tansey Brace Helps Steelers to Victory – Sheffield Steelers . 2024-06-18 . en-GB.
  25. News: What is it like being the wife of a Sheffield Steeler? . 29 March 2020 . The Star . 8 March 2017.