Phil Kessel: Iron man of Hockey

Phil Kessel made history on October 25th, 2022, when he broke the NHL record for the most consecutive games played, becoming the new Ironman leader. In a game against the Sharks, he played his 990th NHL game in a row, surpassing the previous record set by Keith Yandle.

Kessel's streak began in 2009, during his first season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Since then, he has played for several teams, including the Maple Leafs, Penguins, Coyotes, and Golden Knights. During this time, Kessel won the Stanley Cup twice, back-to-back in 2016 and 2017, while playing for Pittsburgh. On October 25th, he broke the tie with Yandle, becoming the NHL's Ironman King.

Previously, Doug Jarvis held the record for consecutive games played, but Yandle surpassed him last season. Unfortunately, Yandle was scratched from the game towards the end of the Flyers' season, preventing him from becoming the first player in the league to play 1,000 games in a row. Phil Kessel made history on November 17th, 2022, by becoming the first NHL player to ever play 1,000 consecutive games. The historic feat that took place when he suited up for the Golden Knights against his former team, the Coyotes.

Phil Kessel's Glorious Career

Phil Kessel is a professional American ice hockey player who has had a storied career in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Kessel was drafted fifth overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He started his professional career with the Bruins, playing for three seasons before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2009.

Kessel's time with the Maple Leafs was marked by high-scoring seasons and controversy, as he struggled to live up to his billing as a high draft pick. Nevertheless, he still managed to lead the team in points for several seasons, establishing himself as one of the most dangerous offensive threats in the league. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015, where he finally won his first Stanley Cup in 2016. He went on to win another cup with the Penguins in 2017, cementing his status as one of the NHL's top players.

Phil Kessel was then traded to the Arizona Coyotes in 2019, where he continued to score at a high level. His strong play caught the attention of the Vegas Golden Knights, who signed him as a free agent in 2020. Kessel's tenure with the Golden Knights has been marked by more high-scoring seasons, and in October of 2022, he made NHL history by breaking the record for most consecutive games played in league history.

Kessel has consistently been one of the NHL's most dangerous offensive players, with quick releases and powerful shots. He has won two Stanley Cups, been a six-time NHL All-Star, and led the league in goals in 2022. Despite his success, he has also faced criticism for his defensive play and his sometimes-quirky personality. Nevertheless, his career has been a testament to his skill and perseverance, and he remains one of the most exciting players in the NHL.

Vegas Golden Knights v Toronto Maple Leafs