Matthew Kessel

Last updated

Matt Kessel
Born (2000-06-23) June 23, 2000 (age 23)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Right
NHL team (P)
Cur. team		 St. Louis Blues
Springfield Thunderbirds  (AHL)
NHL Draft 150th overall, 2020
St. Louis Blues
Playing career 2022–present

Matthew James Kessel [1] (born June 23, 2000) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Springfield Thunderbirds in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Contents

Early life

Kessel was born on June 23, 2000 in Arizona, USA [2] to parents Tom and Leila Kessel. [1] Although he was born in Arizona, Kessel grew up in Detroit, Michigan [3] alongside his three older brothers. [1] His eldest brother played college football at the University of Cincinnati [1] while his other two brothers played college hockey. His second oldest brother played college hockey at Western Michigan University before transitioning to the ECHL. [4] His third oldest brother played college hockey at the College of the Holy Cross from 2017 to 2021. [5]

Playing career

Amateur

Kessel first played junior ice hockey for the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League (USHL) in 2017–18, moving to the Chicago Steel later that season. In 2018, he moved to the Sioux Falls Stampede. [2]

Collegiate career

Kessel originally committed to play NCAA Division I college hockey at Miami of Ohio but changed to the University of Massachusetts Amherst following the firing of Miami's head coach. [6] Due to a close connection with one of the assistant coaches, Kessel was offered a spot at UMass Amherst without seeing the campus or being recruited through the normal means. [6] [7] Kessel began the 2019–20 season playing on the UMass Minutemen's third defensive pairing alongside fellow freshman Gianfranco Cassaro. [8] He made his collegiate debut on October 11 [1] and scored his first collegiate goal on October 15 against Northeastern. [9] Kessel impressed the UMass coaching staff through the first seven games of the season enough that he was dubbed the "most impressive freshman" by head coach Greg Carvel. [8] Mid-way through November, as the Minutemen mantained a 7–3 record, Kessel was promoted to their top defensive pair with Jake McLaughlin. [10] He then played the majority of the season as one of the team's top defenseman alongside Marc Del Gaizo and finished with seven goals to lead all freshmen defensemen in the nation. [6]

Professional career

Kessel (right) with the St. Louis Blues in 2024. St. Louis Blues at Seattle Kraken - 2024-01-26 - Jared McCann and Matthew Kessel (53492487749).jpg
Kessel (right) with the St. Louis Blues in 2024.

Kessel was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the fifth round, 150th overall, in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. After completing his junior season with the Minutemen, Kessel concluded his collegiate career in signing a two-year, entry-level contract with the Blues on March 28, 2022. [11] He was assigned to complete the 2021–22 season with the team's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. [2]

During the tail end of the 2022–23 season, Kessel was recalled and made his NHL debut with the Blues on April 2, 2023, against the Boston Bruins. [12] He played just one more game, two days later, before being sent down to the AHL. [2]

For the 2023–24 season, Kessel was again assigned to begin the year with the Thunderbirds. On December 30, 2023, he was recalled to the Blues. [13] On February 13, 2024, he recorded his first NHL point, an assist on a goal by Alexey Toropchenko. [14] On March 13, Kessel signed a two-year, one-way contract extension with the Blues. [15] In his 37th game, he scored his first NHL goal on April 7, against Lukáš Dostál of the Anaheim Ducks. [16]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2017–18 Fargo Force USHL 3203318—————
2017–18 Chicago Steel USHL20000430002
2018–19 Sioux Falls Stampede USHL6221719381213414
2019–20 UMass-Amherst HE 34741148—————
2020–21 UMass-AmherstHE2910132316—————
2021–22 UMass-AmherstHE376111722—————
2021–22 Springfield Thunderbirds AHL 150338181126
2022–23 Springfield ThunderbirdsAHL71528336620000
2022–23 St. Louis Blues NHL 20000—————
2023–24 Springfield ThunderbirdsAHL3635816—————
2023–24 St. Louis BluesNHL3916712—————
NHL totals4116712—————

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Lovejoy</span> American ice hockey player (born 1984)

Benjamin N. Lovejoy is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He most recently played for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Anaheim Ducks and the New Jersey Devils.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UMass Minutemen basketball</span> Basketball team

The UMass Minutemen basketball team represents the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, Massachusetts, in NCAA Division I men's college basketball. They play their home games in the William D. Mullins Memorial Center. The Minutemen currently compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Beginning in the 2025–26 season, the team will play as a member of the Mid-American Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Erixon</span> American-born Swedish ice hockey player

Tim Carl Erixon is an American-born Swedish professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently playing with Timrå IK in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Erixon was selected in the first round—23rd overall—by the Calgary Flames in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Erixon has previously played for Skellefteå AIK in the Elitserien, as well as various NHL teams. As the son of former NHL player Jan Erixon, he has represented Sweden at the World Junior Hockey Championships, winning a silver medal in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UMass Minutemen ice hockey</span> Mens college ice hockey program

The UMass Minutemen Ice Hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's college ice hockey program that represents the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The Minutemen are a member of Hockey East. They play at the 8,387-seat William D. Mullins Memorial Center in Amherst, Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommy Cross</span> American ice hockey player (born 1989)

Thomas Reginald Cross is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Boston Bruins. Cross was selected by the Bruins in the second round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marvin Degon</span> American ice hockey player

Marvin Degon is an American professional ice hockey defenseman, currently playing for HDD Olimpija Ljubljana of the Austrian Hockey League (EBEL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joel Hanley</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1991)

Joel Hanley is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). Undrafted, Hanley has previously played for the Montreal Canadiens, Arizona Coyotes and Dallas Stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Lindgren</span> American ice hockey player (born 1993)

Charlie Lindgren is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). Originally undrafted by teams in the NHL, Lindgren has also previously played for the Montreal Canadiens and St. Louis Blues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Gaudette</span> American ice hockey player

Adam Gaudette is an American professional ice hockey center for the Springfield Thunderbirds of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks, and Ottawa Senators. Gaudette played college ice hockey for the Northeastern Huskies of the NCAA, where he won the Hobey Baker Award, Hockey East Player of the Year, and was named to the AHCA East First-Team All-American. Selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Gaudette made his NHL debut with the team in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cale Makar</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1998)

Cale Douglas Makar is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected with the fourth overall pick by the Avalanche in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tracy Belton</span> American football player (born 1984)

Tracy J. Belton is a former American football defensive back. He played college football at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and attended Largo High School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. He has also been a member of the Arkansas Twisters, Green Bay Blizzard, Milwaukee Iron, Georgia Force, Jacksonville Sharks, Orlando Predators, New Orleans VooDoo and the Philadelphia Soul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Perunovich</span> American ice hockey player

Scott Douglas Perunovich is an American professional ice hockey defenceman for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Blues in the second round, 45th overall, in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

John Gerard Leonard is an American professional ice hockey player for the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Utah NHL team of the National Hockey League (NHL). Leonard was drafted in the sixth round, 182nd overall, by the San Jose Sharks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020–21 UMass Minutemen ice hockey season</span>

The 2020–21 UMass Minutemen ice hockey season was the 89th season of play for the program, the 31st season competing at the Division I level, and the 27th season in the Hockey East conference. The Minutemen represented the University of Massachusetts Amherst and were coached by Greg Carvel, in his 5th season. UMass won the first national championship in program history.

Robert Nicholas Trivigno is an American professional ice hockey winger for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was a collegiate All-American for the UMass Minutemen ice hockey team of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and was the Most Outstanding Player in his school's first national championship in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zac Jones</span> American ice hockey player

Zachary Jones is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Jones was drafted by the Rangers in the third round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Scott Dempsey Morrow is an American professional ice hockey defenceman for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the second round, 40th overall, by the Hurricanes in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He played college ice hockey at UMass.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022–23 UMass Minutemen ice hockey season</span>

The 2022–23 UMass Minutemen ice hockey season was the 91st season of play for the program, the 30th at the Division I level, and 29th in Hockey East. The Minutemen represented the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the 2022–23 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season were coached by Greg Carvel in his 7th season, and played their home games at Mullins Center.

Ryan Richard Ufko is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHHL) as a prospect for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played college ice hockey at UMass. He was drafted 115th overall by the Predators in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Gianfranco "JoJo" Cassaro is a Canadian ice hockey defenseman who is currently a free agent. He was named a Second Team All-American in 2023–24.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "#4 Matthew Kessel". umassathletics.com. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Matt Kessel". Elite Prospects. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  3. ↑ Korac, Lou (January 25, 2024). "Kessel's path to NHL has story of its own; defenseman showing great promise for Blues in early stages of NHL career". The Hockey News. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Will Kessel". Elite Prospects. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Peter Kessel". Elite Prospects. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 Marinofsky, Evan (April 6, 2021). "'Matt Kessel is the best NHL prospect on our team right now': How Matthew Kessel went from late addition to do-it-all defenseman for UMass". The Massachusetts Daily Collegian . Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  7. ↑ McCarthy, Colin (April 4, 2022). "'Nobody really had many expectations for any of them except us,' how Greg Carvel shapes undrafted Minutemen into NHL prospects". The Massachusetts Daily Collegian. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  8. 1 2 Marinofsky, Evan (November 7, 2019). "Kessel and Cassaro adjusting well to college hockey and solidifying UMass hockey's back-end". The Massachusetts Daily Collegian. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  9. ↑ "No. 15/14 Northeastern Nips #4 Massachusetts Hockey, 3-1". umassathletics.com. University of Massachusetts. October 15, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  10. ↑ Bortle, Noah (November 17, 2019). "Put on the first d-pairing, Matt Kessel helps UMass to 4-1 win". The Massachusetts Daily Collegian. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Blues sign Kessel to entry-level contract". St. Louis Blues. March 28, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Coyles SO goal helps Bruins defeat Blues". ESPN. April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Projected lineup: December 30 at Pittsburgh". St. Louis Blues. December 30, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  14. ↑ McCarthy, Dave (February 13, 2024). "McMann sparks short-handed Maple Leafs past Blues". NHL.com. Toronto. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Kessel signs two-year contract extension". NHL.com. March 13, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  16. ↑ Arritt, Dan (April 7, 2024). "Thomas has 4 points, Blues recover to defeat Ducks in shootout". NHL.com. Anaheim. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.