Thursday

Harold Phillipoff

This is Harold "Hal" Phillipoff. He was a high draft choice (1st round, 10th overall by Atlanta Flames in 1976) after an impressive junior career with Ernie "Punch" McLean's New Westminster Bruins of the WHL. They were a junior dynasty in the 1970s, with the likes of Stan Smyl, Barry Beck and Mark Lofthouse. Phillipoff was an important member of two Memorial Cup appearances.

The Kamsack, Saskatchewan native made his pro debut in 1977, playing with the Flames farm team in Nova Scotia. He helped the Voyageurs capture the 1977 Calder Cup championship.

The following season Phillipoff debuted in the NHL, finishing his rookie year with a respectable 17 goals and 36 assists for 53 points. However he would fall victim to the dreaded sophomore jinx, and never really found his way in the NHL again. He struggled that season to a 9 goal, 26 point performance in 51 games before being traded to Chicago.

That trade was quite the notable transaction. Eight players changed their address on March 13, 1979, making it the biggest trade (in terms of bodies involved) in history to that point.
Atlanta traded Phillipoff, Tom Lysiak, Pat Ribble, Greg Fox and Miles Zaharko to Chicago in exchange for Ivan Boldirev, Phil Russell and Darcy Rota.

Phillipoff never found his way in The Windy City, either. He would get into just 23 games over 2 seasons, picking up zero goals and 4 assists. He was destined for the minor leagues for the rest of his career.

Late in his career he had what looked to be his final reprieve. Phillipoff was traded by Chicago with Dave Logan to Vancouver for Ron Sedlbauer on Dec. 21, 1979. But Phillipoff, who spent much of his successful junior career in British Columbia's Lower Mainland, never played for the Canucks.

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