[2] However, with NHL ambitions, and following an impressive performance in a Chicago Blackhawks evaluation camp, Phillips was signed to a two-way contract with American Hockey League affiliate team, the Rockford IceHogs on 12 July 2009.

With only five points in 31 games with the Walleye, on 12 November, Phillips was reassigned by the Wolves to fellow ECHL team, the Gwinnett Gladiators.

On 25 December, Dave was released from his contract with the Wolves and shortly joined fellow AHL team, the Lake Erie Monsters, on a professional try out on 5 January 2011.

However, following the suspension of the 2020–21 Elite League season, Phillips signed abroad for a third time after agreeing to join Hungarian Erste Liga side Dunaújvárosi Acélbikák.

[10][11][12] In May 2023, Phillips became the sixth men's Great Britain ice hockey player to win 100 senior caps, a milestone he reached at the 2023 IIHF World Championship Division I.