The London Knights have acquired defenceman Markus Phillips from the Guelph Storm. In exchange the Knights will send Hamilton’s 2nd Round Selection in 2023, Barrie’s 3rdRound Selection in 2021, and a 4th Round Selection in 2021.
Phillips was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth-round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old split time this season with the Ontario Reign of the AHL and the Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL, tallying six points with the latter before being assigned to Guelph on January 1st.
In Phillips, the Knights receive a defenceman who’s strong in his own zone, physical and comes with a lot of experience. The Port Perry native was a member of Canada’s 2019 IIHF under 20 World Juniors squad, as well as the 2019 OHL Champion Guelph storm.
🚨WE HAVE A TRADE TO ANNOUNCE🚨
The London Knights have acquired over-age defenceman, and @LAKings prospect, Markus Phillips (@mphillips_18) from the Guelph Storm.
FULL DETAILS | https://t.co/WhFRxidQIC#OHLTradeDeadline pic.twitter.com/aHvxvir1sq
— London Knights (@GoLondonKnights) January 8, 2020
The move confirms that London is preparing for a deep playoff run after last year’s disappointing second-round exit. The Knights lost to the Phillips and the Guelph Storm after leading the series 3-0.
While Phillips will help fill out the left side of London’s defense, the move sparks rumors as London has too many overage players. The OHL permits each team to have 3 players who are 20 years old. The addition of Phillips (born in 1999) puts London at 4 overage players, with forwards Cole Tymkin and Josh Nelson as well as goaltender Dylan Myskiw.
The Knights have made it apparent that Tymkin will be the odd man out. London has until Thursday’s overage trade deadline at noon to move the former 5th Round OHL draft pick. The official trade deadline is Friday at noon.
