WASHINGTON, D.C. – Shortly before Matthew Phillips faces off on Monday against a Flames organization that drafted and developed him for seven years, he’ll receive a text from Happy Adventure, Nfld.
It is from that tiny village of 118 people his 87-year-old grandfather, Don Winsor, has sent pre-game encouragement before every single game.
But this note will be different.
For the first time in Phillips’ professional career, the 25-year-old winger will go up against his long-time Flames friends, as a member of the Washington Capitals.
As far as Winsor, and a legion of Flames fans are concerned, it should never have come to this.
Despite a lengthy call-up as one of the AHL’s top scorers last season, Darryl Sutter refused to play the undersized AHL star in more than two games, making it easier for the sniper to sign elsewhere.
“Revenge wouldn’t be in my vocab because it isn’t in Matty’s vocab, but vindication, for sure,” said Winsor of the tone his message to “Matty” will be.
“The Flames should have given him a better chance.
“Against the Leafs he hit the goal post and if that had gone in maybe the coach would’ve given him more time.
“I’m pleased he left, but his heart was in Calgary, no doubt about that.”
An impressive training camp with the Capitals landed the 5-foot-8, 160-pound Calgarian a surprising opening night spot on a line with Dylan Strome and Sonny Milano.
And while the Caps were blanked 4-0 in their opener, Phillips was back on their line and taking second PP unit reps at the team’s practice facility in Virginia Sunday.
“It’s pretty unique that we’re playing the Flames the second game of the season and I’m excited – hopefully I’m in the lineup,” beamed the affable winger who scored 67 goals and averaged over a point a game the last two years with Calgary’s AHL affiliate.
“It’s kind of weird actually, as I know pretty much the whole team and have a lot of friends and great relationships.”
A graduate of Calgary’s minor hockey system, who went on to score 50 goals in junior, the sublimely skilled Phillips insists his motivation isn’t to prove anything to the Flames.
“I was definitely open to anything after the season ended, but I just felt like I owed it to myself to kind of explore a different opportunity, and when these guys approached me it felt like a great chance,” said Phillips, sitting next to Norris Trophy winner John Carlson and just down from Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom.
“It’s a very unique team, how many legends we have, and some Hall of Famers in the room, so you’re kind of wide-eyed at first.
“But everyone has been so approachable and encouraging – it’s been an easy transition.
“The team has shown confidence in me in camp and gave me a really good opportunity.”
He said new Capitals coach Spencer Carbery is very offensive-minded, encouraging and a clear communicator.
Which brings us to his coach in Calgary, who many blame for ultimately costing the club a popular, intriguing prospect.
“I definitely think my situation was blown out of proportion,” he said of all the controversy surrounding his treatment by Sutter.
“Personally there was nothing that crossed the line or that I felt disrespected.
“There was just not much communication.
“But everyone has their coaching styles and that was his.”
He dismisses the notion that he joined Washington because they had hired his former Wranglers coach Mitch Love.
But it didn’t hurt.
“They approached me on their own terms and he wasn’t involved at first,” said Phillips, who certainly considered staying in Calgary where Craig Conroy had championed Phillips’ cause before and after he was drafted in the sixth round in 2016.
“And then as we weighed our options he did reach out and gave his opinion on the organization and where I could fit.
“I obviously trust him a lot and respect him a ton, so that definitely helps to have a familiar face.
“But he’s also the defence coach, so unless I play defence he doesn’t have too much to do with me.”
Phillips raised plenty of eyebrows in the preseason when he played five of six games, generated plenty of offence and scored an overtime winner in Boston while taking Ovechkin’s spot on the top line that night.
“He had to show a few people what he could do, but at the end of the day he produced,” said former Flames assistant Kirk Muller, now with the Capitals.
“He had that game winner in Boston and set up another big winner.
“He made his presence felt.
“The key is he’s got to make the plays he’s capable of making and getting on the scoresheet.”
Indeed, he’s not focused on proving anything to the Flames anymore.
He needs to continue showing the Capitals he’s NHL material.
“I’ve been training with him in the summers and playing with him since I was ten years old so I’m happy for him and his family,” said Flames winger Dillon Dube of his pal’s fresh new start.
“He deserves that.
“His mindset changed over the summer, knowing he could do it and came into their camp and proved he belongs to start the year.”
There will be plenty of Calgarians cheering him on.
And one proud Grandpa in Newfoundland.
