Owen Tippett (born February 16, 1999) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted with the tenth overall pick by the Florida Panthers at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Playing career
Junior hockey
Mississauga Steelheads (2015–19) Considered by scouts as the best pure natural goal scorer at his age group, Tippett was drafted in the first round, fourth overall, in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection by the Mississauga Steelheads. Tippett appeared in his first career OHL game on September 25, 2015, as he was held with no points in a 7–0 win over the Ottawa 67's. Tippett recorded his first OHL goal and point in his fourth career game, as he scored against Lucas Peressini of the Kingston Frontenacs in a 3–1 victory on October 2. On November 20, Tippett recorded his first multi goal game, as he scored twice against Jake Kment of the North Bay Battalion in a 7–0 win. Tippett scored 15 goals and 20 points in 48 games in his rookie OHL season, and was named to the OHL's First All-Rookie Team. In his first career OHL playoff game, Tippett earned an assist in a 5–2 loss to the Barrie Colts. In game six of the series against the Colts, Tippett scored his first career OHL playoff goal against goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood in a 7–0 Steelheads victory. In seven playoff games, Tippett scored a goal and three points as Mississauga lost to the Barrie Colts in the conference quarter-finals.
Tippett had a very impressive season in 2016–17, scoring 44 goals, which led the team and ranked him fifth in the OHL, and 75 points in 60 games with the Steelheads, helping the team finish in first place in the Central Division. On December 4, Tippett set a career high with four points in a game against the Ottawa 67's, scoring two goals and adding two assists in a 6–3 win. Tippett opened the post-season with a four point effort, scoring a goal and three assists in a 6–2 victory over the Ottawa 67's. Tippett continued his very strong play in the post-season, scoring 10 goals and 19 points in 20 games, as the Steelheads advanced to the J. Ross Robertson Cup finals, where they lost to the Erie Otters.
Tippett returned to the Steelheads in 2017–18 after beginning the season with the Florida Panthers. In 51 games with Mississauga, Tippett scored 36 goals to lead the club, and earned 75 points. On January 4, Tippett recorded his first career OHL hat trick, scoring three goals in the first period against Tyler Johnson in a 4–3 shootout victory over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. On March 4, Tippett earned his second hat trick of the season, scoring three goals against Daniel Murphy and adding an assist in a 7–2 win over the Erie Otters. In the playoffs, Tippett scored three goals and five points in six games as the Steelheads lost to the Barrie Colts in the conference quarter-finals.
The Florida Panthers returned Tippett to the Steelheads after training camp for the 2018–19 season. Tippett played in 23 games with Mississauga, scoring 19 goals and 33 points. In his first game of the season on September 28, Tippett scored three goals against Noah Battaglia of the Erie Otters, and added an assist in a 6–1 Steelheads victory. On November 18, Tippett had another four point game, scoring two goals and adding two assists in a 5–3 win over the Sudbury Wolves. On January 5, 2019, Tippett was traded to the Saginaw Spirit in exchange for Aidan Prueter and six draft picks.
Saginaw Spirit (2019) Tippett finished the 2018–19 season with the Saginaw Spirit following a mid-season trade. In his first game with the Spirit on January 5, 2019, Tippett scored an empty net goal and added an assist in a 5–2 win over the Kitchener Rangers. On February 13, Tippett scored three goals against the Flint Firebirds in a 9–2 victory. On February 23, Tippett tied his career high with points in a game, as he scored a goal and four points in a 6–3 victory over the Hamilton Bulldogs. Less than a month later, Tippett again matched his career high with points in a game, as he earned four points against the Sarnia Sting, helping Saginaw win the game 6–2. In 31 games with the Spirit, Tippett scored 14 goals and 41 points, helping the club finish in first place in the West Division.