Penguins defense prospect Clayton Phillips looking for fresh start in college hockey

One of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ top prospects could use a change of scenery.

Clayton Phillips, an offensive defenseman picked in the third round of the 2017 draft, is in the middle of the transfer process after spending the first two years of his college career at the University of Minnesota.

Penn State is among the rumored destinations for the 19-year-old from Edina, Minn.

“I’m trying to sort that all out,” Phillips said Wednesday. “I’m grateful for my time there. I met a bunch of great people. I’m just really excited for a fresh start.”

Midway through the 2017-18 season, Phillips left his USHL team in Muskegon and joined the Gophers for the second semester of the school year. In hindsight, the process might have been rushed.

A talented puck mover, Phillips went without a point in 11 games as a freshman. He had one goal and 10 points in 34 games as a sophomore.

Phillips said his time at Minnesota had its ups and downs, but he’s pleased with how his game is trending.

“I really felt like this year, I started to develop my game defensively and kind of the quick first passes in my own zone,” Phillips said. “I just felt like my game is becoming more rounded. Try to take that to the next step, wherever I end up next year.”

He also said the Penguins have been supportive during the transfer process.

“They really respect what you want to do,” Phillips said. “Obviously they’ll give you their thoughts and opinions, but they’re not telling me to do one thing or another.”

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