Phil Kessel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Phil Kessel
Kessel with the Arizona Coyotes in November 2019
Born	(1987-10-02) October 2, 1987 (age 37) Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	208 lb (94 kg; 14 st 12 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shoots	Right
NHL team Former teams	Free Agent Boston Bruins Toronto Maple Leafs Pittsburgh Penguins Arizona Coyotes Vegas Golden Knights
National team	United States
NHL Draft	5th overall, 2006 Boston Bruins
Playing career	2006–present

Philip Joseph Kessel Jr. (born October 2, 1987) is an American professional ice hockey player. He plays as a winger and is currently a free agent. People often call him "Phil the Thrill" because of his exciting play.

Phil has played for several teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). These include the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Arizona Coyotes, and Vegas Golden Knights. He is a three-time Stanley Cup champion. He won two championships in a row with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017. He then won a third Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights in 2023.

Kessel was part of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. This program helps train top young players. Before turning professional, he played college hockey for the University of Minnesota. The Boston Bruins picked him fifth overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. After his first season, he received the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. This award is for players who show great sportsmanship and dedication. He earned it after overcoming a serious health challenge while continuing his career.

In 2009, Kessel was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played there for six seasons. Then, in 2015, he moved to the Pittsburgh Penguins. With the Penguins, he won his first two Stanley Cups. They beat the San Jose Sharks and the Nashville Predators. In 2023, he won his third Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights. They defeated the Florida Panthers.

Phil Kessel is known for scoring many goals. He has scored over 400 goals in his career. He also holds an amazing NHL record. He has played the most games in a row, over 1,000! During the 2020–21 season, he became only the fifth player to play 900 consecutive games. On October 25, 2022, he broke the record for the longest streak. He played his 990th game in a row. A few weeks later, on November 17, he became the first NHL player to reach 1,000 consecutive games. His streak reached 1,064 games in a row. This incredible streak started in the 2009–10 season. It is still the NHL record.

Kessel also plays for the United States internationally. He has played in three World Championships. He also played in the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics. He won a silver medal in 2010. In 2014, he was named the best forward in the tournament.

Playing Hockey

Early Years and College Hockey

Phil Kessel started playing youth hockey in his hometown of Madison, Wisconsin. He played for the AAA Madison Capitols. He was a very strong offensive player from a young age. In one season, he scored 286 points (176 goals and 110 assists) in 86 games. The next year, he had 158 points (113 goals and 45 assists) in 71 games. Kessel gives credit to his former coach, Bob Suter, for helping him become the player he is today. Suter was part of the famous 1980 U.S. Olympic team, known as the "Miracle on Ice."

In 2003, Kessel joined the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP). He moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for this. He set new NTDP records for goals. In the 2004–05 season, he scored 52 goals and 98 points. These were records for an under-18 player at the time. Later, Patrick Kane and Cole Caufield broke his points and goals records.

Kessel finished high school in 2005. He then went to the University of Minnesota on a sports scholarship. He played for the Golden Gophers men's ice hockey team. His first college goal was special. He scored it on a penalty shot. This was the first time in team history a player scored their first goal this way. As a freshman, he was second on his team in scoring. He had 51 points (18 goals and 33 assists) in 39 games. He was named the WCHA Rookie of the Year.

The Boston Bruins picked Kessel fifth overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He signed a contract with them on August 17, 2006. This meant he would not play his last three years of college hockey.

Professional Career

Boston Bruins (2006–2009)

On August 17, 2006, the Bruins announced they signed Kessel. It was a three-year contract. He would earn the maximum amount for a rookie, $850,000.

Kessel played his first NHL game on October 6, 2006. It was an 8–3 loss to the Florida Panthers. In December, Kessel was hospitalized for a health issue. It was reported that he was diagnosed with a form of cancer. On December 16, doctors said he was cancer-free. He returned to the Bruins lineup on January 9, 2007. He only missed 11 games after his surgery.

Kessel with the Boston Bruins in April 2008. He played with the Bruins from 2006 to 2009.

Kessel was chosen for the 2007 NHL YoungStars Game. He scored three goals, including the game-winner, and had an assist. At the end of the season, Boston sports writers chose him for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. This was for his courage in battling cancer. He officially received the award at the 2007 NHL Awards Ceremony.

In the 2007–08 season, Kessel led the league in shootout goals. He scored 5 game-deciding goals in shootouts. He set a Bruins record with 9 shootout-deciding goals in his career.

Kessel scored the first Bruins goal of the 2008–09 season. He ended that season with his second career hat-trick. He scored 36 goals, which was his highest number of goals in the NHL at that time. He also had an 18-game point streak. This was a long streak for an American-born NHL player.

Kessel played a big part in Boston's 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs run. He led the Bruins with six goals. They lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games. After the playoffs, Kessel needed shoulder surgery. This injury likely happened during a game in March. The surgery meant Kessel would miss the start of the 2009–10 season.

Toronto Maple Leafs (2009–2015)

On September 18, 2009, the Bruins traded Kessel to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs then signed him to a five-year contract worth $27 million.

Kessel in December 2009, shortly after his debut game with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Kessel missed the first month of the season due to his shoulder injury. He finally played his first game as a Leaf on November 3, 2009. It was against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He had ten shots on goal, a career-high. He scored his first goal as a Maple Leaf four days later. This was in a 5–1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. On December 5, 2009, Kessel played against his old team, the Bruins, for the first time. The fans in Boston booed him every time he touched the puck. Kessel said it didn't affect him.

After the 2010 NHL Winter Classic, Kessel was chosen for Team USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics. He scored a goal and an assist. The U.S. team won a silver medal, losing to Canada in the final.

Kessel at a Maple Leafs practice held at an outdoor rink in Trinity Bellwoods Park in December 2010.

On April 2, 2011, Kessel scored his 30th goal of the season. This was his third season in a row with 30 goals. He was one of only eight NHL players to do this since the 2008–09 season.

Kessel had another great start to the 2011–12. He scored his first hat-trick as a Maple Leaf in the second game of the season. He was the NHL's top scorer in October. He was named the NHL's First Star of the Month. That season, Kessel was chosen for the NHL All-Star Game again.

On February 6, 2012, Kessel reached 300 career points. The next day, he scored his 30th goal of the season. This was his fourth year in a row reaching that mark. He also set a new career-high with 65 points that month.

In a survey by The Hockey News, Kessel was ranked as the 16th best player in the league by his fellow players. On March 31, 2012, Kessel scored his 37th goal of the season. This broke his old career-high of 36 goals. He finished the season with 37 goals and 82 points. Both were new career-highs and placed him sixth in the NHL.

Kessel started the 2012–13 with a long goal drought. He finally scored his first goal in his tenth game. On April 20, 2013, Kessel and the Maple Leafs made the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs. This was the first time Kessel had been in the playoffs since joining the Leafs. It also ended a seven-year playoff drought for the team. Kessel finished seventh in NHL scoring that season.

On October 1, 2013, Kessel signed a big contract. It was an eight-year, $64 million extension. This was the largest contract in Maple Leafs history at the time. During the 2013–14 campaign, Kessel had a great week in October. He scored his fourth career hat-trick. He also scored in Toronto's next two games. He was named Second Star of the Week for his five goals.

After the 2014 NHL Winter Classic, Kessel was named to Team USA for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. On February 1, 2014, Kessel scored his fifth career hat-trick. This was also his 30th goal of the season. On February 15, he scored another hat-trick for Team USA against Slovenia at the Olympics. He led the tournament in scoring with five goals and three assists. He was named to the All-Star Team and Best Forward. The U.S. team lost the bronze medal game to Finland. Kessel led Toronto in goals, assists, and points for the third year in a row.

During the 2014–15 season, the Maple Leafs struggled. Kessel still led the team in points with 61.

Pittsburgh Penguins (2015–2019)

Kessel with the Pittsburgh Penguins in October 2015.

On July 1, 2015, the Maple Leafs traded Kessel to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Toronto also kept $1.2 million of Kessel's salary. Kessel scored his first goal as a Penguin on October 10, 2015. On December 19, 2015, Kessel played his 500th consecutive game. He became the 23rd player in NHL history to do this. On June 12, 2016, Kessel won his first Stanley Cup. The Penguins defeated the San Jose Sharks in six games. Kessel played on a very effective line with Nick Bonino and Carl Hagelin. This line was called the "HBK line." Kessel led the Penguins in playoff scoring with 10 goals and 22 points. He also led the team in shots. Kessel almost won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP. His teammate and captain, Sidney Crosby, won it.

As a Stanley Cup champion, Kessel got to spend a day with the trophy. He first brought the Cup to his hometown of Madison, Wisconsin. He celebrated with his family and friends. Then, he took the trophy to SickKids Hospital in Toronto. He shared it with patients and their families.

Kessel with the Pittsburgh Penguins in June 2017.

When Kessel won his second championship, he took famous pictures. He was eating hot dogs out of the Stanley Cup!

In the 2017–18 season, he scored a career-high 92 points. This included 34 goals and 58 assists. He was eighth in the NHL in points.

On October 11, 2018, Kessel scored his sixth career hat-trick. This was his first "natural" hat-trick (three goals in a row). From February 1 to March 5, 2019, Kessel had a long goal-drought. He didn't score in 16 games, but he had 11 assists. On March 19, 2019, Kessel played his 320th consecutive game for the Penguins. This was the longest streak in their history. Kessel was second in points for the Penguins that season. He also led the league with 10 game-winning goals. Kessel and the Penguins lost in the first round of the 2019 playoffs. This was his last postseason with the Penguins.

Arizona Coyotes (2019–2022)

On June 29, 2019, Kessel was traded to the Arizona Coyotes. On October 12, 2019, Kessel played his 1,000th career NHL game. It was against the Colorado Avalanche.

On May 7, 2021, Kessel scored his 900th point in the NHL. It was a breakaway goal against the San Jose Sharks.

Kessel kept his "iron man" streak going during the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 8, 2022, he played the first shift of a game. Then, he left to fly back to Arizona. He wanted to be there for the birth of his first child. This extended his streak to 956 consecutive games. His coach, André Tourigny, encouraged him to leave early. Less than 48 hours later, he rejoined the Coyotes. He played a game against his former team, the Maple Leafs. He even got an assist in a 5–4 win. His teammate Jakob Chychrun called it "a pretty cool gesture." On April 2, 2022, Keith Yandle's iron man streak ended. Kessel then had the longest active streak in the NHL.

Vegas Golden Knights (2022–2023)

On August 24, 2022, Kessel signed a one-year contract with the Vegas Golden Knights. His usual jersey number, 81, was already taken. So, he wore number 8 for the first time in his NHL career. On October 24, 2022, Kessel played his 989th consecutive game. This tied Yandle's iron man streak. The next night, against the San Jose Sharks, Kessel officially broke the record. He played his 990th consecutive game. In that game, he also scored his 400th career goal. On November 17, 2022, Kessel made history. He became the first player in NHL history to play 1,000 consecutive games. The Golden Knights won that game 4–1 against Kessel's former team, the Arizona Coyotes.

Kessel played in all 82 regular season games for the Golden Knights. He started their first playoff series in the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs. However, his coach decided to not play him in Game 5. This was the first game Kessel had missed since October 31, 2009. His official iron man streak was not affected. It only counts regular season games. Kessel had not missed a playoff game since April 15, 2008. His unofficial streak, including both regular season and playoffs, was 1,149 games. Coach Bruce Cassidy praised Kessel as a "terrific teammate." Kessel helped the team's spirit during their deep playoff run. Even though he didn't play in later playoff games, Kessel won his third Stanley Cup. Vegas defeated the Florida Panthers in the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals in five games.

The Golden Knights did not sign Kessel again. He became a free agent for the 2023–24 season. He did not play that entire season. He also did not sign with a team for the 2024–25 season.

International Play

Kessel with the United States national team at the 2007 World Championship.
Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
Olympic Games
Silver	2010 Vancouver
IIHF World U18 Championship
Silver	2004 Minsk
Gold	2005 Plzeň

Playing for Team USA

Kessel first played for the United States in international games in 2004. He played with the under-17 National Team Development Program team. He finished fourth in points and second in goals at that tournament.

Later in 2004, Kessel played in the 2004 IIHF World U18 Championships. The U.S. team won a silver medal. He had ten points in six games. He led the tournament in goals. He was also named to the tournament all-star team.

In 2005, Kessel played in the IIHF World Junior Championship. The team finished fourth. He scored four goals and two assists in seven games.

Kessel played in the World U18 Championship again in 2005. This time, he won a gold medal. He had 16 points in six games. He led the tournament in goals and assists. Kessel was named the tournament's best forward. He was also on the tournament All-Star Team.

Kessel then played in the 2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. The U.S. team finished fourth again. Kessel led the tournament in points (11) and assists (10).

Senior Team Appearances

Kessel first played for the senior U.S. team in 2006. He competed at the 2006 IIHF World Championship. He scored one goal and one assist. The U.S. team placed seventh.

After his rookie year with Boston, Kessel played at the 2007 IIHF World Championship. The U.S. finished fifth. He scored two goals and five assists in seven games.

Kessel with the United States men's national hockey team at the 2010 Winter Olympics. The U.S. team won silver in the Olympic tournament.

Kessel played in the World Championship for a third time in 2008. The U.S. team finished sixth. Kessel had ten points (six goals and four assists) in seven games.

In 2010, Kessel played for Team USA at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The U.S. team won the silver medal. Kessel had a goal and an assist in six games.

On January 1, 2014, Kessel was named to the 2014 Olympic Team. He competed at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The U.S. team did not win a medal. However, Kessel had great individual success. He scored 5 goals and 3 assists in 6 games. He led the tournament in points (8). He was named the best forward and to the All-Star Team.

Kessel was not chosen for the American team at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. This was even after he had a very successful Stanley Cup win with the Penguins. After Team USA was eliminated, Kessel posted a funny message online. Many people thought he was joking about not being picked. Kessel said his comments were not meant to disrespect anyone.

About Phil Kessel

Family and Hobbies

Phil Kessel is from Verona, Wisconsin. His family has many successful athletes. His father, Phil Kessel Sr., played college quarterback in football. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins. Phil's brother, Blake, is a defenseman in hockey. He was drafted by the New York Islanders. Phil's sister, Amanda, is also a professional ice hockey player. She won a gold medal with the United States at the 2018 Winter Olympics. Kessel's cousin, David Moss, also played in the NHL.

In his free time, Kessel enjoys playing poker. He has played in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) every year since 2012. He has won some money in these tournaments. Kessel is also friends with professional poker player Daniel Negreanu.

Kessel and his girlfriend have one daughter.

Unique Lifestyle

Kessel holding the Stanley Cup after winning the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals with the Penguins.

Phil Kessel is known for his unusual diet. It's not typical for a professional athlete. Kessel reportedly does not drink water. He prefers soft drinks and sports drinks instead. He sometimes drank Coca-Cola between periods during games. He was even said to have threatened to retire once. This was when a coach wanted to remove soft drinks from the locker room. Kessel enjoys junk food and snacks like Sour Patch Kids. This is different from other hockey players who follow strict diets.

Kessel's pre-game meal was a bowl of cheddar cheese. While in Toronto, there was a story that he ate a hot dog every afternoon from a street vendor. This hot dog story became a popular joke in hockey. Kessel himself made fun of it. After winning his second Stanley Cup in 2017, he posed with the Cup filled with hot dogs. He captioned the picture, "hot dogs taste better out of the Stanley Cup!" He even had a hot dog-themed cake for his birthday in 2022.

Many NHL players have talked about Kessel's eating habits. Some were surprised he could play at an elite level with such a diet.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2004	United States	U17	4th		5	6	4	10	0
2004	United States	WJC18			6	7	3	10	6
2005	United States	WJC	4th		7	4	2	6	2
2005	United States	WJC18			6	9	7	16	2
2006	United States	WJC	4th		7	1	10	11	2
2006	United States	WC	7th		7	1	1	2	2
2007	United States	WC	5th		7	2	5	7	6
2008	United States	WC	6th		7	6	4	10	6
2010	United States	OLY			6	1	1	2	0
2014	United States	OLY	4th		6	5	3	8	2
Junior totals			26		21	22	43	12
Senior totals			33		15	14	29	16

NHL All-Star Games

Awards and Honors

Kessel being interviewed by Billy Jaffe shortly after winning the 2017 Eastern Conference Finals with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Records and Milestones

NHL Records

• First NHL rookie to win the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
• Most consecutive games played: 1,064
• First player in NHL history to play 1,000 consecutive games
• Most consecutive games played including playoffs: 1,149 (unofficial)

Pittsburgh Penguins Records

• Most consecutive games played: 328

NHL Milestones

• Played first game on October 6, 2006, against Florida
• Recorded first point (an assist) on October 7, 2006, against Tampa Bay
• Scored first goal on October 21, 2006, against Buffalo
• Scored first hat-trick on October 12, 2007, against Los Angeles
• Scored first overtime goal on March 11, 2010, against Tampa Bay
• Scored first shorthanded goal on November 26, 2010, against Buffalo
• Scored first goal on a penalty shot on January 7, 2012, against Detroit
• Recorded career-high 4 assists and 5 points in a game on March 26, 2016, against Detroit
• Recorded 3,000th shot on goal on March 1, 2018, against Boston
• Scored first natural hat-trick on October 11, 2018, against Vegas
• Scored 10th overtime goal on January 18, 2019, against Arizona
• Scored 100th power play goal on March 12, 2019, against Washington
• Recorded 300th power play point on February 2, 2021, against St. Louis
• Recorded 500th assist on March 20, 2021, against Anaheim
• Recorded 900th point on May 7, 2021, against San Jose
• Scored 70th game-winning goal on May 8, 2021, against San Jose
• Played in 1,200th game on April 22, 2022, against Washington
• Played in 990th straight regular-season game (NHL-record) and scored 400th goal on October 25, 2022, against San Jose
• Played in 1000th straight regular-season game on November 17, 2022, against Arizona
• Registered 400th penalty minute on March 25, 2023, against Edmonton
• Played in 100th playoff game on April 24, 2023, against Winnipeg

See also

• List of NHL players with 500 consecutive games played
• List of NHL players with 1,000 games played