Blackhawks' Luke Philp Scores First NHL Point Under Perfectly Unconventional Circumstances

The 27-year-old scored his first NHL point in a game he wasn't even slated to play in, and it's only fitting given his unconventional path to the show.

It's been a long and unconventional journey to the NHL for Chicago Blackhawks forward Luke Philp. But after biding his time in juniors, Canadian college hockey, and the AHL, the 27-year-old finally got the call to the show on Monday. He made his Hawks debut Tuesday in Vancouver and recorded his first NHL point Thursday against Calgary.

The crazy thing is, Philp wasn't even scheduled to suit up against the Flames. At Chicago's morning skate, Boris Katchouk skated on the fourth line and Philp was on the outside looking in.

According to Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Alberta native intended to have dinner with some hometown friends since he'd be watching from the press box.

But those plans changed quickly as Jonathan Toews came down with an illness less than an hour before puck drop. As a result, the Blackhawks had to shuffle their lines and Philp was back in the mix.

With the game tied at one nearly midway through the second period, Philp had his "welcome to the show" moment. After collecting the puck behind the net and shrugging off a Flames defender, Philp fed a pass to the high slot where Katchouk ripped a shot past Jacob Markstrom.