It's been a few years since I clipped a Luke Philp goal, but I am sure glad he is back. He predated the Wranglers with the Stockton Heat so this will go down as his first goal as a Wrangler.
FlamesNation has no direct affiliation to the Calgary Flames, Calgary Sports and Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Wranglers winger Luke Philp reflects on return to Flames organization
Photo credit: Photo Credit: Eric Boldt/Calgary Wranglers
Oct 7, 2026, 10:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 7, 2026, 00:55 EDT
Right winger Luke Philp was a part of the Calgary Flames’ AHL system between 2019 and 2022 with the Stockton Heat. He played games at the Scotiabank Saddledome when the Heat needed to play a modified 30 game season in 2020-21 during the Covid-19 bubble season but departed from the organization before the Heat turned into the Wranglers. As of this past summer, he’s back in Calgary, this time to be a Wrangler and to be closer to home, as he was born in Canmore.
For Philp’s initial reaction to coming back to Calgary, he said,:
“It’s great. It’s awesome to be back here. It’s super close to home for me. It’s good to be back with this organization. So it’s been a really fun start.”
Philp played 148 games with the Stockton Heat and had played 281 games in the league prior to this season. In his last year with the Heat, he was a top five scorer on the team with 21 goals, 23 assists and 44 total points in 66 games played. After that, he had a career season with the Rockford IceHogs with 53 points in 60 games. He tore his Achilles tendon, prior to the 2023-24 season and was only able to skate in 15 games. In his last season in the AHL, he was with the Hershey Bears for a full season, putting up 30 points before going to the SHL to play with Farjestad BK where he had 35 points in 52 games.
When Philp was with the Heat, he played with current Flames players Martin Pospisil, Yan Kuznetsov and Dustin Wolf and current Wranglers Connor Zary and Alex Gallant. When the news broke that he was returning to the organization, he did have some of these guys reach out. Philp said:
“A bunch of guys that I had played with before reached out and, it’s fun seeing all former teammates and then a lot of the staff as well. It’s cool to reconnect and be back and it’s been great so far.”
For some of these connections, that reunion was officially made at Flames training camp this year. Philp was able to participate in Flames camp but missed some time for the birth of his first child during Wranglers camp and into the two game exhibition series against the Canucks. Philp talked about Flames camp and said:
“It was great to see those guys. It’s awesome to see those guys who have played with the Wranglers and the Heat over the years and now make their way to the NHL. And are playing well up there too. So it was fun to reconnect and I’m really happy for those guys and they’re all great players and great people.”
Luke Philp has already found some early success this season by scoring the second goal in Calgary’s 4-2 win over the Canucks last Saturday. He also earned the second star of this game for his efforts. Philp has played in the Saddledome quite a bit, even outside the AHL in USports with the University of Alberta and in the WHL with the Red Deer Rebels and Kootenay Ice. This was his first goal with a Flaming W on the front of his jersey. This goal did come with some familiarity for him in a building he enjoys playing in.
With three seasons on AHL teams that don’t tend to overlap in the Pacific Division, we haven’t seen much of Luke Philp to know what’s changed in the last few years. His response is that not much has changed. He said:
“My game is my game, right? I think you try and improve on certain aspects of it every year, and I definitely think I’ve done that. Just all different areas of the game, trying to get better all the time. The games change a little bit since I started playing pro, so you kind of got to adjust. I think I’d say the game’s speed has picked up a little bit. So it’s fun to be back in this league and playing here again.”
Luke Philp is playing on the fourth line for the Wranglers currently but this is the deepest lineup the Wranglers may have ever had. His centre is Jonathan Castagna and the other winger has been former Laval Rocket and Yale University captain Will Dineen. Even the coaching staff recognizes they’re rolling with four lines and it’s not really a matter of ranking them from one to four. They’re all serving roles and purposes. Philp said:
“We got four lines contributing. Everybody’s playing a role, playing their part, and I think that’s a big reason why we’re off to a good start here. We just got to keep it rolling and keep playing the way we were.”
The Wranglers’ results are the exact opposite of the Flames so far, as they started the season 2-0 against the Abbotsford Canucks. They are currently tied for first in the Pacific Division and look to keep their hot start going in their next series against the Bakersfield Condors this weekend.
This article is presented by Bon Ton Meat Market
A Tradition of quality products and personalized service for 104 years.
Proud to feature only the finest premium AAA Alberta Beef, Locally raised fresh pork, locally raised fresh free range chicken and turkey, fresh Alberta lamb and milk fed veal.
Over 20 varieties of in store made salads, delicious desserts and of course our famous in store made meat pies. Proud to be Calgary, and Southern Alberta’s Consumers Choice Award Winner for best Meat and Deli for 24 consecutive years! Bon Ton Meat Market, 28 Crowfoot Circle NW.
Breaking News
- Wranglers winger Luke Philp reflects on return to Flames organization
- Report: Flames have considered adding Patrik Laine, but want to look at their youngsters first
- Who will the Flames call up from the AHL?
- Flames roster news: Connor Zary and Brayden Pachal assigned to AHL’s Calgary Wranglers
- Flames roster news: Connor Zary and Brayden Pachal both clear NHL waivers, eligible for AHL assignment
Calgary FlamesTeam Cap Summary
Cap Summary
2026-27
2027-28
Projected Cap Hit
$87,766,215
$68,766,666
Projected Cap Space
$16,233,785
$44,733,334
Current Cap Space
$16,841,467
$44,733,334
Active Players
21/23
15/23
Draft Picks
Round
'27
'28
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
2
1