Golden Knights forward Phil Kessel, who last missed a game in 2009, broke the NHL’s Ironman record with his 990th consecutive appearance.

Phil Kessel : NHL record | Net worth | Hall of Fame

Kessel is a product of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program as an identified elite player under the age of 18.

Phil Kessel : NHL record | Net worth | Hall of Fame

Born October 2, 1987 (age 35)
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 223 lb (101 kg; 15 st 13 lb)       
        Position        Right wing
Shoots Right

He finished his amateur career playing collegiate hockey in the NCAA for the University of Minnesota in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) conference. He was then selected fifth overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins.

After his rookie season, 2006–07, he was awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for overcoming testicular cancer while continuing his professional career.

In 2009, Kessel was traded from Boston to the Toronto Maple Leafs where he spent six seasons before being dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015. 

Phil Kessel NHL record 

Vegas Golden Knights forward Phil Kessel has broken the National Hockey League’s ‘ironman’ record by playing his 990th consecutive game.

The 35-year-old American surpasses the mark set by Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Keith Yandle last season.

Kessel started his streak in November 2009 in his first game with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

He also scored his 400th career goal as the Golden Knights claimed a 4-2 win at the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.

“I’ve played a lot of games, and you always want to win,” Kessel told ESPN following the Golden Knights victory against the Maple Leafs on Monday as he drew level with Yandle for the games played record.

“There’s games you’re going to miss throughout your career, but I’ve been fortunate so far.”

In a video tribute to Kessel, Yandle said: “To play in even one NHL game is a remarkable achievement but to play in every game going back 13 years takes unbelievable talent to stay in the line-up day in and day out, tremendous determination to play through aches and pains, and a whole lot of luck.

“It’s nice to see the record in your hands, a fellow American, an all-time great guy and a guy I can call a friend.”

Having retired after last season, Yandle, 36, had become the NHL’s ironman record-holder when he reached his 965th game in a row in January, passing Doug Jarvis’ record.

Kessel’s 990-game streak has covered his time with the Maple Leafs, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Arizona Coyotes and the Golden Knights, who he signed for in August.

Net worth 

Phil Kessel is an American professional hockey player who has a net worth of $14 million, According to Celebritynetworth.

Phil Kessel : NHL record | Net worth | Hall of Fame

Net Worth: $14 Million
Salary: $8 Million
Date of Birth: Oct 2, 1987 (35 years old)     
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (1.83 m)
Profession: Ice hockey player, Athlete
Nationality: United States of America

Kessel was selected to the NHL All-Star Game in 2011, 2012, and 2015. In 2013 he signed an eight year deal with Toronto that will pay him an average of $8 million a year.

Hall of Fame 

Kessel has a daunting task ahead of him if he wants enshrinement. To wit, American born players ahead of Kessel still aren’t in the Hall of Fame despite stellar careers. Keith Tkachuk and Jeremy Roenick were Team USA stalwarts, NHL All-Stars and highly marketable players in their respective cities. Yet their name does not appear on the guestbook in Toronto.

Roenick notched 1216 points with 513 goals in his career. Tkachuk racked up 538 goals.

Phil Kessel : NHL record | Net worth | Hall of Fame

Kessel’s resume thus far is substantial. Two Stanley Cups, including a starring role on the 2016 Pittsburgh Penguins team which laid waste to their competition during a dominant Cup run. Last season, he scored a career-high 92 points with 34 goals, his sixth time scoring more than 30.

Kessel also played better hockey than he has for most of his career, which is an important note.

Kessel has 330 career goals and 741 career points in 914 games. He figures to cross the 1000 points mark, but he’ll need to maintain his current scoring pace for three to four more seasons to do so.

The knocks on Kessel ring deep in inner hockey circles. He doesn’t play enough defense. He avoids contact. In the Canadian controlled Hall of Fame, those are not insignificant criticisms. Kessel also has not won any major awards.

By Rishabh

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