Noah Philp Retires From Professional Hockey

Undrafted center Noah Philp, who reached the NHL as a member of both the Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes, has retired from professional hockey. The news comes via a press release from SHL club HV71. Philp signed a one-year contract with an option for a second year with HV71 earlier this summer, but has now decided to hang up his skates.

In a translated version of the press release, Philp apologized to HV71 for the timing of the decision, but clarified that his “motivation for hockey is not fully there” and that he “would rather be completely honest than not be fully invested in playing.” Per the press release, HV71 will look to move swiftly to secure a replacement for Philp in their lineup.

This is not the first time the 6’3″ center has stepped away from the game. After a strong first season playing professional hockey, one where he scored 37 points in 70 games for the Bakersfield Condors, Philp decided to hang up his skates. That turned into a one-year hiatus from the game, but it did also suggest Philp has considered retirement at a far earlier point than most players do.

A former top scorer for the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds, Philp was a legitimate developmental success story for the Oilers organization. After three years and two playing seasons at the University of Alberta, Philp turned pro in the spring of 2022. As previously mentioned, his rookie campaign in the AHL, 2022-23, was a real success, but he ended up taking the next year off, rather than building closer to an NHL call-up.

In 2024-25, Philp improved as an AHL scorer, posting 35 points in 55 games. He also earned his first NHL call-up, and got into 15 games for the Oilers. This past season, Philp made the Oilers’ NHL squad out of training camp, but scored just three points in his first 15 games of the year. He was placed on waivers in early December, and was claimed by the Hurricanes.

After being claimed, Philp played two NHL games for Carolina, but spent most of the rest of the year on a reassignment to the AHL with the Chicago Wolves. He scored 14 points in 21 AHL playoff games for the Chicago Wolves in a run to the Calder Cup Final before signing with HV71 this summer.

PHR extends its congratulations to Noah on his professional career, and wishes him all the best in the next chapter.