Phillips heads down to ECHL

The 23-year-old defenceman - who made history last year when he became the first British-trained player to crack the AHL, North America's second tier - has not featured for his new club so far this season.

The former Hull Stingrays and Belfast Giants blue-liner made his AHL debut for the Rockford IceHogs last season, eventually playing 52 games, in which he notched up six assists and 52 penalty minutes.

He also skated in six games for Rockford's East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) affiliate Toledo Walleye, scoring a goal and an assist and two penalty minutes.

Phillips clearly impressed enough to earn a one-way AHL deal with 2008 Calder Cup winners Chiago Wolves after his debut season.

And Wolves GM Wendell George said in a recent interview with the Yorkshire Post that Phillips was very much part of the organisation's plans for the 2010-11 season, but that an unexpected number of defencemen coming down from NHL affiliate the Atlanta Thrashers had edged the Yorkshireman down the pecking order.

A recent injury, reportedly caused by a skate cut in training, has also contributed to Phillips's limited chances at the Allstate Arena.

Given his lack of ice time at Chicago so far it's likely the main reason the GB international has returned to Toledo - despite Chicago having their own ECHL affiliate Gwinnett Gladiators - is simply in order for him to get some much-needed game time.

Toledo are next in action on Friday night at home to the Cincinatti Cyclones. Chicago are at home to Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.

To listen to a special feature on David Phillips in the AHL go HERE