Phil Kessel touched the so-called “Iron Man record” with 989 consecutive games. Against his old club, Kessel celebrated a 3-1 victory.
During Tuesday night, attention was directed towards the 35-year-old Phil Kessel. Known to appreciate good sausage with bread – and above all for not skipping work.
The last time Kessel missed a game was on October 30, 2009, when his club Toronto lost to Montreal, and Kessel injured his shoulder.
I’ve always been the one who’d rather play than sit on the sidelines. I try to play regardless, he tells the NHL website.
With the encounter against the former Toronto club, Kessel had a double celebration. Partly, he was noted for his assist with the first goal of the match, and partly for touching Keith Yandler’s so-called “iron man record” in 989 matches.
In the interview, Kessel says that just six months after enlisting in 2006, he developed testicular cancer, aged just 19.
– You’re growing up fast. You have changed who I am. It changed my view of life quite a bit, he says.
In one day, Kessel can single-handedly dominate the summit, when Vegas meets San Jose. Health permitting, he could be the first player to play his 1,000th game in a row in front of the home crowd on November 17, when he faces Vegas, Arizona.
How long is it expected to last?
– Until someone tells me I can’t play anymore, he says, laughing at the league’s website.