Vegas Golden Knights sign Phil Kessel to a one-year contract

VEGAS (August 24, 2022) – General Manager of Vegas Golden Knights Kelly McCrimmon announced today, August 24, that the team has signed ahead Philo Kessel to a one-year contract with an average annual value of $1,500,000.

Kessel, a two-time Stanley Cup champion (2015-16, 2016-17), has 956 points (399 G, 557 A) in 1,204 NHL career games. He ranks eighth among all players to appear in 2021-22 career games played and 10th in career points. He is one goal short to become the 13th American-born player to score 400 NHL goals.

Kessel played in 982 consecutive NHL games, the longest active run and seven games away from Keith Yandle’s record of 989. The 34-year-old played 16 seasons in the League with the Boston Bruins (2006-09), Toronto Maple Leafs ( 2009-15), Pittsburgh Penguins (2015-19) and Arizona Coyotes (2019-22). During the 2021-22 Arizona season, Kessel led the Coyotes with 44 assists, his highest total since the 2018-19 Pittsburgh season.

In the postseason, Kessel skated a total of 96 competitions. The forward led the Penguins during the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs with 22 points (10 G, 12 A). Internationally, the Madison, Wisconsin native has represented the United States three times at the IIHF World Championships (2006, 2007, 2008) and twice at the Winter Olympics (2010, 2014). Kessel was drafted by Boston in the first round (5th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft after a year playing NCAA hockey at the University of Minnesota.

Phil KesselForward
Place of Birth: Madison, Wisconsin
Height: 6-0
Weight: 223 pounds.
Age: 34
Shoot: Right
Comments:
-1,204 games played during the regular season rank eighth among all players who appeared in the NHL in 2021-22
-Posted 956 points (399 G, 557 A) spent 16 seasons with the Boston Bruins (2006-09), Toronto Maple Leafs (2009-15), Pittsburgh Penguins (2015-19) and Arizona Coyotes (2019-22)
– won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Penguins (2015-16, 2016-17), leading the team in scoring during the 2016 postseason with 22 points (10 G, 12 A) in each of 24 games from the team
– Has appeared in 982 consecutive NHL games, the longest active run and seven away from Keith Yandle’s record (989)
– Represented the United States three times at the IIHF World Championships (2006, 2007, 2008) and twice at the Winter Olympics (2010, 2014)
-Selected by the Bruins in the first round (5th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft