Vegas Golden Knights star Phil Kessel is set to break the record for consecutive NHL appearances on Tuesday as he gears up to play his 990th-straight game.
Kessel has not missed a single NHL game since making made his debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 3, 2009. The 35-year-old has since played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Arizona Coyotes before moving to Vegas, and will now break Keith Yandle's record of 989.
The record was tied on Monday night as Kessel played in a 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs, and he was denied a memorable goal against his former side after his effort was disallowed following a coach's challenge. Kessel sits on 399 career goals, and will be looking to grab his 400th as he takes to the ice for his record-breaking match against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night.
It's an incredible feat reaching 990-straight games, and one that will be very hard to replicate due to the intensity and physicality of the NHL. And it's perhaps even more meaningful for Kessel, as he battled testicular cancer during his rookie season with the Boston Bruins.
Kessel was drafted fifth overall by the Bruins in 2006, but just four months after signing a three-year rookie contract, the winger was diagnosed with cancer. Amazingly, Kessel only missed 12 games as he was soon pronounced cancer-free, and then became the first rookie to ever be awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
This is awarded to the player who 'best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the game of hockey', and Kessel was a worthy winner. But after 66 goals and 126 points in 222 games for Boston, Kessel traded to the Maple Leafs, which is where his iron man streak began.
Since then, 989 consecutive games have been played by the now veteran winger, and on Tuesday, a new record tally will be set. And it would be made even more sweeter if he could score his 400th goal, after being denied by his former side on Monday night.
But his streak almost came to an end in March 2021, when he was notified while at the Coyotes that his partner was preparing to give birth to their child. However, with Kessel keen to extend his run after a perfect record for over a decade, the Coyotes helped the winger make a stunning compromise.
Kessel took just one shift for the Coyotes before rushing off to board a charter flight, one that was arranged by the Coyotes. And from there, he flew home to be there for the birth of his child.
The Golden Knights star spoke to reporters about his streak after their 3-1 win against the Maple Leafs. "I've played a lot of games, and you always want to win," Kessel said.
"It's better when you win and if we can do it tomorrow, it'd be great. … I always want to play. There's games you're going to miss throughout your career, but I've been fortunate so far."
