Phil Kessel is an American professional ice hockey player who most recently played for the Vegas Golden Knights in the National Hockey League (NHL). A standout in his youth, Kessel holds the all-time record for goals (104) with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
Philip Joseph Kessel Jr. was born on October 2, 1987, in Madison, Wisconsin. From a young age, Kessel demonstrated exceptional athletic ability paired with a quiet, determined demeanor. He invested countless hours in honing his skills, often prioritizing practice over social interaction.
Phil’s disciplined, focused approach to sports mirrored that of his father, Phil Kessel Sr. His brother, Blake Kessel, noted the striking similarities between their father and Phil in an interview with The Globe and Mail: “They’re extremely similar. They’re quiet people, and people misunderstand that sometimes, but those two have been really close. They are kind of the same person—it’s scary sometimes.” Teammate Colby Armstrong echoed the sentiment: “It’s crazy. They’re really kind of the same guy. It was cool to go for dinner with both of them; it was like sitting next to twins.”
Phil Kessel Sr. played as a quarterback at Northern Michigan University and was selected in the 10th round of the 1981 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. Though his NFL career was brief, he found personal fulfillment in reaching the league and eventually returned to Wisconsin to raise his family.
Kessel emerged as a top prospect during his time with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and later while playing college hockey at the University of Minnesota. In his freshman year, he tallied 51 points in 39 games and finished sixth in NCAA scoring—a significant accomplishment for a newcomer to Division I hockey.
Despite his strong performance, Kessel’s draft stock dipped slightly before the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Concerns arose over his perceived social awkwardness and lack of polish in interviews, traits that led some scouts to question his maturity. As one senior scout stated, “We weren’t sure about him. He was a little immature… he didn’t seem like a very likable person. I’m not sure about that, but that was the knock against him then.”
Ultimately, Kessel was drafted fifth overall by the Boston Bruins in 2006. While he did not go first overall as some had predicted earlier in his career, he quickly began to prove himself on the professional stage.
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Profession: | Ice hockey winger |
| Date of Birth: | October 2, 1987 |
| Birth Place: | Madison, WI |
| Education: | N/A |
| Shoe Size: | N/A |
| Net Worth 2021: | 14 million |
