Maillet Signs AHL Deal

(UNDATED) U SPORTS men’s hockey Player of the Year and Atlantic University Sport MVP Philippe Maillet has signed a one year professional contract with the American Hockey League’s Ontario Reign. It will include the remainder of this season and the 2017-18 season.

The Reign are the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings.

The Reign are currently third in the AHL’s Pacific Division, and are on course to meet the second place San Diego Gulls in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs. Maillet is expected to make his debut in the Reign’s next game, Friday against the Bakersfield Condors.

The 24-year-old Terrebonne, Quebec, native recently completed his fourth season with the UNB Varsity Reds, and he did so in style.

Maillet registered 10 points (four goals and six assists) to lead the Varsity Reds in their second consecutive U SPORTS men’s hockey championship. Maillet was named the University Cup MVP after a four-assist performance in the championship game, a 5-3 victory over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. On the eve of the tournament, Maillet was named the U SPORTS men’s hockey Player of the Year. He led the country in scoring with 55 points (23 goals and 32 assists).

“It’s been such a dream year for me and my teammates,” said Maillet, before leaving Fredericton for California. “Coming to UNB has truly changed my life as a player and a person. I have improved so much here. To go out as a national champion is the ultimate goal, and now to be able to get a pro contract and continue my career in the AHL is a dream come true.”

Varsity Reds head coach Gardiner MacDougall echoes Maillet’s sentiments, saying Maillet's dream season was a result of Maillet’s hard work and dedication. “He set a new standard for himself with his off-season conditioning,” said MacDougall. “It paid off, as Phil was able to achieve all his personal and team goals for the season. Full credit to Phil for his passion for the game and relentless work ethic this past season.”

“We pride our program on high level consistency and finding ways to get better. Phil has truly embraced this philosophy and will leave his mark as one of UNB’s all-time greats,” said MacDougall. “Team wise he has been part of two national championships, one national silver medal and four consecutive AUS pennants. In the classroom, he’s been an Academic All-Canadian. On the ice, he’s been a four-time AUS all-star, two-time AUS MVP, two-time All-Canadian and national MVP. He finishes his career third in UNB scoring behind Hunter Tremblay and current Associate Coach Rob Hennigar. He leaves quite a legacy here at UNB.”

Over four seasons with the Varsity Reds, Maillet recorded 166 points in 101 regular season games(60 goals and 106 assists).