University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Kessel Sets U’s NHL Scoring Record
12/29/2021 12:13:00 AM | Men's Hockey, M Club
Kessel tallied four assists on Tuesday to end the night with 925 career NHL points.
MINNEAPOLIS – Living up to his nickname of "Phil the Thrill", Phil Kessel became Gopher Hockey's all-time leading NHL scorer on Tuesday night with his 925th regular-season point, tallying four assists for the Arizona Coyotes to surpass Neal Broten's previous record of 923 points that had stood for more than two decades.
Kessel continues to stand out as one of the most gifted offensive threats of his era. In addition to his 925 points, Kessel leads all University of Minnesota NHL alums in games played (1,152) and goals (396) while he ranks second in assists (529). Kessel is also the only Gopher to win the Stanley Cup twice as a player, winning back-to-back titles with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.
The 2007 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy recipient and three-time NHL All-Star (2011, 2012, 2015) is in his 16th NHL season and third with the Arizona Coyotes after previously playing with Pittsburgh, Toronto and Boston. A native of Madison, Wis., Kessel currently ranks 12th all-time among American-born NHL scorers and is second among active American players. Even more impressive is his durability as Kessel has played in 930-consecutive NHL games – the third longest streak in league history behind Doug Jarvis (964) and Keith Yandle (951, active).
With the Gophers, Kessel helped the Maroon & Gold capture the MacNaughton Cup as WCHA regular-season champions in 2005-06. The forward was named the WCHA Rookie of the Year after finishing second on the team with 51 points (18 goals, 33 assists) in 39 games. Following his freshman season, Kessel was selected fifth overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins – one of four Gophers selected in the first round that year.
On the international stage, the forward has competed in three World Championships as well as the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympic Games (Kessel won a silver medal in 2010 and was named the top forward in 2014).
Kessel continues to stand out as one of the most gifted offensive threats of his era. In addition to his 925 points, Kessel leads all University of Minnesota NHL alums in games played (1,152) and goals (396) while he ranks second in assists (529). Kessel is also the only Gopher to win the Stanley Cup twice as a player, winning back-to-back titles with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.
One of the top U.S. scorers of all time and one of the most durable players in NHL history, Phil Kessel set a new #Gophers record on Tuesday night with his 9️⃣2️⃣5️⃣th career point.
— Minnesota Men's Hockey (@GopherHockey) December 29, 2021
Congrats, Phil! Thanks for the thrills!
Release: https://t.co/hhmd4SWMSA pic.twitter.com/0fBcKHwIXg
The 2007 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy recipient and three-time NHL All-Star (2011, 2012, 2015) is in his 16th NHL season and third with the Arizona Coyotes after previously playing with Pittsburgh, Toronto and Boston. A native of Madison, Wis., Kessel currently ranks 12th all-time among American-born NHL scorers and is second among active American players. Even more impressive is his durability as Kessel has played in 930-consecutive NHL games – the third longest streak in league history behind Doug Jarvis (964) and Keith Yandle (951, active).
With the Gophers, Kessel helped the Maroon & Gold capture the MacNaughton Cup as WCHA regular-season champions in 2005-06. The forward was named the WCHA Rookie of the Year after finishing second on the team with 51 points (18 goals, 33 assists) in 39 games. Following his freshman season, Kessel was selected fifth overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins – one of four Gophers selected in the first round that year.
On the international stage, the forward has competed in three World Championships as well as the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympic Games (Kessel won a silver medal in 2010 and was named the top forward in 2014).
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