Not just a student of the game

If you said Jets’ goalie prospect Jamie Phillips is a good student you’d be right, but you might need to be more specific.

That’s because Phillips, who signed with the Jets just before this summer’s development camp, is a dedicated learner on and off the ice.

This summer Phillips is wrapping up some course work at Michigan Tech University – oh, he already has a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science – but there’s more.

Phillips is also well-versed in organic chemistry and will soon have the credits in place to be set for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) one day. Yes, the goalie may just take on medical school in the future.

Oh, and by the way, if he does – he’ll be following in some family members foot steps, including his mom Katherine, and his brother - who's a current med student.

Phillip’s hockey and in-class work were so impressive he was named the WCHA's Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year this spring.

Even with goals of maybe one day completing medical school, the 23 year-old insists his focus right now is on stopping pucks and he’s clearly a devoted student of that craft as well.

CREDITS COACHING

A finalist for top goalie in US college hockey two seasons ago, and a nominee again this past season, Phillips credits Michigan Tech goalie coaches Steven Shields, Dieter Kochan and Joe Shawhan for helping him refine his game over the past four years.

Phillips is also quick to point out Derek Bujan as a big influence. Phillips has worked with Bujan back near home in Hamilton, ON since the Jets’ hopeful was just 11-years-old. And the two have a great ability to communicate with each other allowing Phillips to be his best self in the net.

Put all that teaching together with a willing student and you get a talent worth watching.

Phillips is coming off a senior year that saw him post a 1.97 goals against average and a .922 save percentage, not to mention a fantastic 23-8-5 record for the Huskies who tied with Minnesota State for first in the Conference this past regular season.

In some respects the banner year was a culmination of all the work done over his college career – with consistency being the ultimate goal.

“In college it’s tough, with the school grind, you have to learn how to play your best every night because in college every night is like a game seven – the intensity’s through the roof, “ says Phillips. “There’s no off-nights. So, I was able to learn how to be consistent every night – play my best and give my team a chance to win.”

LOGJAM ON DEPTH CHART

As impressive as Phillips’ credentials are, he knows he’s now starting fresh, but isn’t afraid to keep working to see just how close to the head of the class he can get.

“I’m just trying to improve every day to be the best goalie that I can be and hopefully I can work my way up the depth chart,” said Phillips. “There’s no really pressure there for me. Obviously with the two guys in the NHL (Ondrej Pavelec and Michael Hutchinson), and then Helly (Connor Hellebuyck) and Comrie they’re both really good goalies, but, I just have to perform my best and I know good things will happen.”

With Phillips’ track-record of success, there’s no reason to doubt he’s capable of scoring top marks at whatever he puts his mind to.