Phil and Amanda Kessel have both been selected for the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame’s class of 2026. During his four seasons with the Penguins, Phil Kessel was instrumental in securing two Stanley Cup victories as part of the renowned “HBK Line,” alongside Carl Hagelin and Nick Bonino. Over his time in Pittsburgh, he scored 110 goals and dished out 193 assists across 328 games. After departing from Pittsburgh, Kessel added another Stanley Cup to his record with the Vegas Golden Knights, finishing his career with a total of 992 points in 1,286 games. He expressed his gratitude to NHL.com, saying, “This is a great honor. Playing for USA Hockey was always a privilege, and I’m proud to be inducted, especially alongside my sister, who was an incredible player.” Kessel also represented the United States at the Winter Olympics in 2010 and 2014, earning a silver medal.
Amanda Kessel, currently serving as the Penguins’ Director of Minor League Operations and Assistant GM of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, had an impressive international career of her own. She played in three Winter Olympics, winning one gold and two silver medals. Amanda also claimed three national championships with the University of Minnesota and competed for two seasons in the NWHL. She shared her pride at joining her brother in the Hall of Fame, saying, “It’s very special to go in with my brother, who’s been a huge support throughout my career.” Their induction marks only the second time a brother-sister pair has been honored together in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, following Cammi and Tony Granato, the latter a former Penguins assistant coach. The formal induction ceremony is scheduled for November 30.
Fan Take: The induction of the Kessel siblings into the Hall of Fame highlights the importance of family legacies in hockey, inspiring future generations. It also underscores the growth of women’s hockey, demonstrating that female players like Amanda are making a significant impact on the sport’s history.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
