On Jan. 15th, 2025, the Winnipeg Jets traded defenceman Dmitri Kuzmin to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defenceman Isaak Phillips.

Phillips, 23, had played 28 games for the Rockford IceHogs this season prior to the trade. He registered one goal and seven assists for a total of eight points. The Barrie, Ontario native has also appeared in 56 games with the Blackhawks over the past four seasons, recording two goals and 10 assists for 15 points, along with 31 penalty minutes.

Drafted in 2020 in the fifth round (141st overall), Phillips has spent most of his career in the AHL with Chicago’s affiliate, where he has served as an alternate captain.

Kuzmin, 21, was drafted by the Jets in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, in the third round (82nd overall). He has played in 39 games with the Jets’ AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, recording two goals and five assists for seven points.

The Kholstovo, Belarus native also played 24 games for the Jets’ ECHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals, last season, tallying two goals and seven assists for nine points.