The NHL's Unlikeliest Ironman - Unless You've Met Him - Makes NHL History Tonight

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Stef
October 24, 2022 (9:41 PM)

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Phil Kessel - Nice guy, loves the game, Stanley Cup champ, new Ironman record holder.
Tonight, with his 5th NHL team, the 35 year old forward is set to play in his 989th straight game, tying Keith Handle (now retired) for the longest streak in NHL history.

There are 3 active players in the top 10 list of most consecutive games played, including Kessel. Colorado's Andrew Cogliano sits at number 7, with 830 games, and Brent Burns is at number 10, with 684.
At this point, it's pretty safe to say that Kessel's record will be safe, at least for the foreseeable future.

Diagnosed with testicular cancer at age 19, this particular Ironman streak might never have existed. But he overcame that obstacle, along with every other impediment along this path. And he wasn't even trying. In an interview with NHL.com, Kessel states, «I've always just said, �Screw it. I'll go out there and play because I like to play.' I'd rather be playing than sitting in the stands.»

I can definitely say that the Penguins were happy to have him playing with them, especially in 2016 and 2017.

Coincidentally, this milestone will be set against one of his former clubs, the Toronto Maple Leafs. If things continue along this trajectory (*knocks wood*), his 1000th game will be played against his most recent team, the Arizona Coyotes. The Coyotes are actually a big part of why his streak is still alive. When his first child was born, he played one shift against the Red Wings in Detroit before hopping the owner's private jet to Phoenix. He's just the kind of guy you want to support.

«I just want to be known as a good teammate,» he said. «And I still have fun playing the game. As long as that's the case, I plan to keep doing it.»

No matter where or when you see Phil Kessel, you're witnessing history, and you may not even realize it. But he has put in the time and the work, and he deserves the utmost respect for how he plays the game, and takes care of himself, because that's what got him here, today. And I, for one, cannot wait to see what his future holds.