Michael Kesselring

Last updated

Michael Kesselring
2025-05-04 Deutschland gegen USA (Eishockey-Landerspiel) by Sandro Halank-034.jpg
Kesselring in 2025
Born (2000-01-13) January 13, 2000 (age 25)
Florence, South Carolina, U.S.
Height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight 220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams
Buffalo Sabres
Arizona Coyotes
Utah Hockey Club
National teamFlag of the United States.svg  United States
NHL draft 164th overall, 2018
Edmonton Oilers
Playing career 2021present

Michael Alan Kesselring (born January 13, 2000) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 164th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2018 NHL entry draft.

Contents

Playing career

Kesselring with the Utah Hockey Club in 2025 Michael Kesselring - February 2025.jpg
Kesselring with the Utah Hockey Club in 2025

Kesselring played high school hockey for the New Hampton School within the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council before spending the conclusion of the 2017–18 season with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League (USHL). In his first year of eligibility, with standout physical attributes and strong hockey sense, Kesselring was selected by the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the sixth round, 164th overall, of the 2018 NHL entry draft. [1]

In his only full season in the USHL in 2018–19, Kesselring split the season between the Buccaneers and the Fargo Force before committing to a collegiate career with Northeastern University of the Hockey East.

During his sophomore season in the NCAA, Kesselring opted to conclude his collegiate career and turn professional for the remainder of the 2020–21 season, signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers on March 22, 2021. [2] Appearing with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, on an amateur tryout basis, Kesselring collected three points through 21 regular season games and making six post-season appearances. In his first full professional season in 2021–22, Kesselring established himself on the Condors blueline, registering 2 goals and 13 points through 55 regular season games. [3]

Continuing with the Condors in his third season in the AHL in 2022–23 season, Kesselring showed offensive development by scoring 13 goals and 22 points through only 49 games with Bakersfield. Approaching the NHL trade deadline, Kesselring was traded by the Oilers along with a 2023 third-round pick to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Nick Bjugstad and Cam Dineen on March 2, 2023. [4] He was immediately recalled by the Coyotes and made his NHL debut the following day in a 6–1 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes at Mullett Arena. [5] [6] He was reassigned the following day to the Coyotes AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, on March 4, 2023. [7]

At the completion of the 2024–25 season, Kesselring was traded by the rebranded Utah Mammoth, along with Josh Doan, to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for JJ Peterka on June 25, 2025. [8]

Personal life

Kesselring was born at a hospital in Florence, South Carolina, [9] the son of Casey and Shawndra Kesselring. His father, Casey, played professional hockey at the ECHL level and has served as a minor, high school and junior head coach since 2003. Michael was coached by his father during his high school tenure with New Hampton School. [10] His younger brother, Mason, currently plays junior hockey with the Coquitlam Express in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and is committed to play at the University of Connecticut. [11]

International play

Medal record
Representing Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2025 Sweden/Denmark

Kesselring represented the United States at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where he recorded one goal and three assists in ten games and helped Team USA win their first gold medal since 1933. [12]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2014–15 New Hampton School USHS 36347
2015–16New Hampton SchoolUSHS4051116
2016–17New Hampton SchoolUSHS3082028
2017–18New Hampton SchoolUSHS3811233423
2017–18 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 120222
2018–19 Des Moines BuccaneersUSHL33210128
2018–19 Fargo Force USHL33715222020000
2019–20 Northeastern University HE 3423535
2020–21 Northeastern UniversityHE2053823
2020–21 Bakersfield Condors AHL 211231060332
2021–22 Bakersfield CondorsAHL55211134540000
2022–23 Bakersfield CondorsAHL491392240
2022–23 Arizona Coyotes NHL 90336
2022–23 Tucson Roadrunners AHL10257730002
2023–24 Tucson RoadrunnersAHL60001120000
2023–24 Arizona CoyotesNHL655162166
2024–25 Utah Hockey Club NHL827222989
NHL totals156124153161

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2024 United States WC 5th72130
2025 United StatesWCGold medal icon.svg101342
Senior totals173472

References

  1. "Dev Camp: Kesselring was at his lake house when drafted by Oilers". Edmonton Oilers. June 26, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  2. "Oilers sign Michael Kesselring to entry-level contract". Edmonton Oilers. March 22, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  3. "There's one huge advantage for Oilers big d-man prospect Michael Kesselring". Edmonton Journal . August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  4. "Coyotes get pick, Kesselring from Oilers for Bjugstad, Dineen". Arizona Coyotes. March 3, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  5. "Coyotes trade deadline wrap". Arizona Coyotes. March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  6. "Aho, Ghostisbehere lead Hurricanes to 6-1 win over Coyotes". USA Today . March 3, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  7. "Coyotes assign Kelemen, Kesselring and Kolyachonok to Tucson". Tucson Roadrunners. March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  8. "Sabres acquire Kesselring, Doan from Mammoth". Buffalo Sabres. June 25, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  9. "Kesselring Son". Florence Morning News. January 30, 2000. p. 29 via Newspapers.com. Lock-green.svg
  10. "Casey Kesselring team staff profile". eliteprospects.com. March 3, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  11. "Mason Kesselring player profile". eliteprospects.com. March 3, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  12. Zaccardi, Nick (May 25, 2025). "U.S. men's hockey team wins first standalone world championship since 1933". NBC Sports . Retrieved May 25, 2025.