University of Massachusets Athletics
Former Minuteman Kessel Makes NHL Debut With St. Louis Blues
April 02, 2023 | Hockey
The defenseman is the 22nd UMass hockey alum to reach the highest level of professional hockey.
AMHERST, Mass. - Former University of Massachusetts hockey defenseman Matthew Kessel will become the 22nd Minuteman to make his NHL debut on Sunday afternoon after receiving a call-up from the St. Louis Blues for their contest against the Boston Bruins. Kessel signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Blues last spring, becoming the 10th player in head coach Greg Carvel's UMass tenure to ink an NHL contract, the sixth in that group to do so after coming to Amherst undrafted.
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Kessel, a two-time Hockey East All-Star and 2021-22 assistant captain helped the Minutemen to the 2020-21 National Championship and back-to-back Hockey East Tournament titles (2021 and 2022). The Bloomfield Hills, Michigan native has spent his first full season of professional hockey in Western Mass. with the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL. He has posted 31 points on five goals and 26 assists over 66 games. After turning pro last spring, Kessel appeared in 15 regular season games for the Thunderbirds and 18 postseason contests. Â
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Kessel earned a spot as a Hockey East Third Team All-Star for a second straight year in 2021-22 after receiving the honor for the first time in 2020-21. He appeared in all 37 games for the Minutemen in 2021-22, totaling 17 points on six goals and 11 assists and was +9 with two power-play goals and one game winner.
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As a sophomore he was a 2021 Hockey East Third-Team All-Star and registered 23 points on 10 goals and 13 assists over 29 games in 2020-21 with a +15 rating and a team-best six power-play goals. He led all defensemen nationally in goals, goals per-game (.34) and power-play goals. An All-Tournament Team selection at the 2021 Frozen Four, Kessel ended the year tied for fourth nationally in points by a defenseman, ninth in points per-game (.88) and tied for 10th in power play points (9).
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Kessel ended his three-year collegiate career having appeared in 100 career games with 23 goals and 28 assists for 51 points, nine power-play goals, two game winners and a +37 rating.
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Kessel, a two-time Hockey East All-Star and 2021-22 assistant captain helped the Minutemen to the 2020-21 National Championship and back-to-back Hockey East Tournament titles (2021 and 2022). The Bloomfield Hills, Michigan native has spent his first full season of professional hockey in Western Mass. with the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL. He has posted 31 points on five goals and 26 assists over 66 games. After turning pro last spring, Kessel appeared in 15 regular season games for the Thunderbirds and 18 postseason contests. Â
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Kessel earned a spot as a Hockey East Third Team All-Star for a second straight year in 2021-22 after receiving the honor for the first time in 2020-21. He appeared in all 37 games for the Minutemen in 2021-22, totaling 17 points on six goals and 11 assists and was +9 with two power-play goals and one game winner.
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As a sophomore he was a 2021 Hockey East Third-Team All-Star and registered 23 points on 10 goals and 13 assists over 29 games in 2020-21 with a +15 rating and a team-best six power-play goals. He led all defensemen nationally in goals, goals per-game (.34) and power-play goals. An All-Tournament Team selection at the 2021 Frozen Four, Kessel ended the year tied for fourth nationally in points by a defenseman, ninth in points per-game (.88) and tied for 10th in power play points (9).
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Kessel ended his three-year collegiate career having appeared in 100 career games with 23 goals and 28 assists for 51 points, nine power-play goals, two game winners and a +37 rating.
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Players Mentioned
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