The newest member of the Waterloo Warriors can kill penalties, shut down opponents, score goals, and garner instant respect in the dressing room – call him a Jack of all trades.
Former Flint Firebirds forward Jack Phibbs has joined the Warriors men's hockey program, beginning with the 2020-21 season. And like most student-athletes at uWaterloo, Phibbs is as excited to get into the classroom as he is to get on the ice.
"It wasn't too tough," said Phibbs on his decision to attend uWaterloo. "The school side speaks for itself – it's an unbelievable school. And I am good friends with (current Warrior) Owen Burnell (Caledonia/Hamilton Bulldogs, OHL), who had nothing but good things to say about the hockey side of things."
Phibbs, a native of Hagersville, Ontario, will come back a little closer to home after four OHL seasons with Flint. In 233 career major junior games, the 6'0" forward registered 26 goals and 32 assists for 58 points, including a career-high 16 goals this past season.
Throughout his junior career, Phibbs earned a reputation as a high-end shutdown forward and penalty killer with the Firebirds. But Warriors head coach Brian Bourque thinks Phibbs also adds a solid offensive side that could blossom at the OUA level.
"He played against other teams' top lines," Bourque said. "He played that role of defensive forward so well. But he also has some skill and can contribute offensively."
"I consider myself a two-way forward," Phibbs added. "I was in more of that defensive role in Flint, but I have that offensive side that I hope to bring to Waterloo."
The 20-year-old Phibbs said his attention turned to USports hockey early in his overage year with the Firebirds. And when Bourque thought enough about his game to make the cross-border trek to meet with him, Phibbs knew Waterloo was a possible landing spot for him to continue his career.
"Brian came to Flint to meet and have breakfast," said Phibbs. "That's when you know – that feeling that they really want you there. I wanted to play for a good program, get a good education, and come a little closer to home. Waterloo checked all the boxes."
Phibbs plans to arrive on campus in September and join the Warriors for training camp, before hitting the ice for the OUA regular season in early October.
