Phil Kessel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Position | Centre/Winger |
| Shoots | Right |
| Height Weight |
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 193 lb (88 kg) |
| NHL Team | Boston Bruins |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Born | October 2, 1987, Madison, WI, US |
| NHL Draft | 5th overall, 2006 Boston Bruins |
| Pro Career | 2006 – present |
Phil Kessel (born October 2, 1987, Madison, Wisconsin) is an American professional ice hockey forward for the Boston Bruins of the NHL.
Contents |
[edit] Playing Career
Kessel started his career by playing collegiate hockey for the University of Minnesota in the WCHA. Following a very successful freshman season, he was drafted 5th overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins. Prior to the draft he dropped in ranking from first to third place among the North American skaters and in the final ranking he was ranked fifth among the North American skaters.
On August 17, The Bruins announced that Kessel signed a multi-year entry-level contract, reportedly worth the rookie maximum of $850,000. While Phil is not among top rookies in goals or assists, he is second among rookies with three shoot-out goals. (3-4)
On December 11, 2006, his family announced that Kessel was hospitalized for a reason unrelated to hockey. Later during the day, Bob Lobel, a sportscaster in the region of Boston confirmed that Phil was diagnosed with a form of testicular cancer. [1]
On December 16, 2006, Phil was announced cancer-free, and returned to the Bruins line-up on January 9, 2007 against the Ottawa Senators.
Phil was named to the 2007 NHL YoungStars game which took place in Dallas, Texas on January 23, 2007. Phil recorded a hat trick during this game in a 9-8 Eastern conference victory.[2]
[edit] Awards & Honors
- 2004: Silver Medal (2004 World Junior Ice Hockey U18 Championships)
- 2005: Gold Medal (2005 World Junior Ice Hockey U18 Championships)
- 2005-06: WCHA Rookie of the Year
- 2005-06: WCHA All-Rookie Team
- 2006-07: Played in the NHL YoungStars game
[edit] Records
- USA Hockey’s National Development Team's franchise record for most career goals: 104
- USA Hockey’s National Development Team's franchise record for most career points: 180
[edit] Milestones
- Played his first NHL game October 6, 2006, vs. Florida Panthers.
- Recorded his first NHL point October 7, 2006, vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, assisting on a goal by Brad Boyes.
- Scored his first NHL goal October 21, 2006, vs. Buffalo Sabres.
[edit] Career statistics
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2005-06 | Minnesota Golden Gophers | WCHA | 39 | 18 | 33 | 51 | 28 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| WCHA Totals | 39 | 18 | 33 | 51 | 28 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||||
[edit] Transactions
- 06/24/06 Drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 1st round (5th overall) in 2006.
- 08/17/06 Signed by the Boston Bruins to a multi-year contract.
[edit] International play
Played for the United States in:
- 2004 World Junior Ice Hockey U18 Championships.
- 2005 World Junior Ice Hockey U18 Championships.
- 2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
- 2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
- 2006 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships.
[edit] International Statistics
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | United States | WJC18 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 6 |
| 2005 | United States | WJC18 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 16 | 2 |
| 2005 | United States | WJC | 7 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| 2006 | United States | WJC | 7 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 2 |
| 2006 | United States | WC | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
[edit] International career notes
[edit] References
- Press releases:
- In the Spotlight. Kessel's the '06 draft's wild card. Jul 17, 2006.
- St. Paul Pioneer Press. Brothers, Bruce. Kessel leaving Gophers. 17 Aug 2006.
- (17 Aug 2006). Bruins sign Phil Kessel to multi-year contract.
- Profiles:
- Boston Bruins. Phil Kessel. Retrieved 17 Aug 2006.
- Hockey's future. Phil Kessel.
- Internet Hockey Database. Phil Kessel. Retrieved 17 Aug 2006.
- Minnesota Golden Gophers. Phil Kessel. Retrieved 17 Aug 2006.
- National Hockey League. Phil Kessel.
- National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA). Phil Kessel.
- Other information:
- Bish of Bish's Blog, is John Bishop. He is the beat reporter for BostonBruins.com. Bish's Blog.
- Updates and Insights from Globe Sports Writers. Bruins Blog.
- USA Hockey. 2006 USA Men's National Hockey Team Media Guide. Retrieved 17 Aug 2006.
