University of Minnesota Athletics
Kessel Officially the NHL's Ironman
10/26/2022 10:30:00 AM | Men's Hockey
Former Gopher played his 990th-consecutive game
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Former Minnesota men's hockey player Phil Kessel has done something no one in National Hockey League history has ever done, and that is play in 990-consecutive games, becoming the official "Ironman" of the league.
He set the mark during his first shift Tuesday night for the Vegas Golden Knights on the road at the San Jose Sharks and added more thrills to the occasion, recording his 400th career goal in the first period.
Kessel, a 35-year-old in his 17th NHL season, broke the record of 989 games previously held by Keith Yandle, who did not miss a game from 2009-2022. The Madison, Wis., native has played every outing for his team since Nov. 3, 2009, when he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
A two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017, Kessel has played more regular season games in the NHL than any former Gopher at over 1,200. The Madison, Wis., native also has the most NHL points in program history totaling 959 during his tenure playing for five different teams, including a career-high 92 points for the Penguins in 2017-18.
He has produced year-after-year totaling 12 seasons with at least 20 goals and with his first goal of the season for the Golden Knights, Kessel reached the elusive 400-goal mark, which made him the first player in Gophers' history to hit that milestone. He also became the 12th American-born player to score 400 goals.
Kessel played one season for the Maroon and Gold in 2005-06 helping Minnesota to a WCHA championship and a No. 1 ranking at the end of the regular season. In that freshman campaign, he was second on the team in scoring with 51 points, behind 18 goals and 33 assists, in 39 games to land WCHA Rookie of the Year honors.
He set the mark during his first shift Tuesday night for the Vegas Golden Knights on the road at the San Jose Sharks and added more thrills to the occasion, recording his 400th career goal in the first period.
Kessel, a 35-year-old in his 17th NHL season, broke the record of 989 games previously held by Keith Yandle, who did not miss a game from 2009-2022. The Madison, Wis., native has played every outing for his team since Nov. 3, 2009, when he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
A two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017, Kessel has played more regular season games in the NHL than any former Gopher at over 1,200. The Madison, Wis., native also has the most NHL points in program history totaling 959 during his tenure playing for five different teams, including a career-high 92 points for the Penguins in 2017-18.
He has produced year-after-year totaling 12 seasons with at least 20 goals and with his first goal of the season for the Golden Knights, Kessel reached the elusive 400-goal mark, which made him the first player in Gophers' history to hit that milestone. He also became the 12th American-born player to score 400 goals.
Kessel played one season for the Maroon and Gold in 2005-06 helping Minnesota to a WCHA championship and a No. 1 ranking at the end of the regular season. In that freshman campaign, he was second on the team in scoring with 51 points, behind 18 goals and 33 assists, in 39 games to land WCHA Rookie of the Year honors.
Series Trailer: Rivalry Renewed
Friday, October 17
Highlights: Gophers 2, Boston College 2
Friday, October 10
Highlights: Gophers 1, Boston College 3
Thursday, October 09
Highlights: Gophers 3, Michigan Tech 5
Saturday, October 04