He’s quirky. He’s misunderstood. He loves hot dogs. But Phil Kessel might be the toughest iron man in NHL history.
In October 2022, Kessel broke the NHL’s “Ironman” record for most consecutive games played, surpassing Keith Yandle with his 990th straight game. He didn’t stop there—by the end of the 2022–23 season, Kessel had extended the record to 1,064 consecutive games, a feat no other skater has reached.
What makes this even more remarkable? In 2013, while playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kessel went through an entire playoff series with a fractured foot. He didn’t tell media or fans. He didn’t complain. He just played.
Kessel also won three Stanley Cups—two with Pittsburgh and one with Vegas—adding elite playoff experience to his résumé. Despite his low-key, often self-deprecating personality, Kessel scored over 400 goals and contributed with speed and a lethal shot for nearly two decades.
He’s never been your typical NHL superstar, but that’s what makes his story so compelling. Kessel didn’t just play a lot—he played hurt, he played well, and he never missed a day.
