SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks have their share of ties to Phil Kessel, the one-of-a-kind winger who is set to become the NHL’s all-time ironman Tuesday night when the Vegas Golden Knights take the ice for a regular season game at SAP Center.
David Quinn was the head coach for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program’s under-17 team in 2003-04 when he met Kessel, then a naturally gifted 16-year-old.
James Reimer played with Kessel for five seasons from 2010 to 2015 with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Nick Bonino won two Stanley Cups with him in 2016 and 2017 with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“Only one guy’s done it in over 100 years,“ Bonino said of Kessel’s 990 consecutive games. “It’s pretty amazing.”
Here’s what Quinn, Reimer, and Bonino had to say about Kessel on Tuesday.
DAVID QUINN
What was your time like with Phil when you guys were at NTDP?
“I love having Phil. It’s pretty cool that I’ll be here tonight. I remember him as a 16-year-old – he probably hasn’t changed much since then. He’s just made a lot more money and scored a lot more goals at a higher level. But Phil is very comfortable with himself. I always enjoyed coaching him, I’ve always loved seeing him, I’ve always loved being around him and it’ll be good to see him tonight.”
What were your first impressions of him as a player?
“The thing that I loved about him was just, his skating was so effortless and the thing that really jumped out at me about him was his release. He had an NHL release at the age of 16. He could do things at such a high level. He’s such a great athlete, you knew he was going to be a special player and he certainly has been for a long time in this league.”
Phil’s made fun of himself that his body maybe is not the type that you would think would break this record.
“Well, when you’re on a Skittles diet, it’s tough to have a great body. He’s been on a Skittles diet since he was 16.”
So are you surprised that this is the man who is going to break the ironman record?
“No, because he’s a smart player. Johnny Gaudreau is a perfect example. Johnny Gaudreau is a small guy, but he understands how to create contact and how to avoid it at the right time and Phil has mastered that.”
Supposedly he didn’t like to work out, didn’t like to stretch, doesn’t like to drink water. Did you have to get used to that?
“Well, he was 16, and most 16-year-olds don’t like to do any of those things. But again, that’s Phil. He’s comfortable with who he is. He acknowledges who he is and there’s no hidden part about him. He’s just a special talent.”
NICK BONINO
What were your first impressions of Phil when he first joined the Penguins (in 2015)?
“What you see and what you hear from everyone else was that he was a great guy, a great teammate, funny, and quite a character, and that was definitely true. He was kind and really fun to be around.”
Did it take time to get used to some of his habits? I guess he doesn’t like to work out.
“He’s actually one of the strongest guys I’ve been around in the gym. I don’t know where that narrative started, but everyone who’s played with him knows he’s in the gym for every lift and he’s usually lifting the most weight effortlessly.
“You’ve got to do something right off the ice to be as durable as he is, so, definitely, he’s a strong guy. At some point, that narrative came out and I think he just didn’t care to address it.”
How do you put this in perspective, 990 straight games?
“Regardless of the injury stuff, I think it’s pretty amazing to navigate COVID, and navigate the birth of his baby and stuff like that where you’re not only worried about a broken bone, but with COVID, if you’re exposed, you’re not coming to the rink. There’s been a little luck involved but Phil shows up every day and plays every game regardless of what’s going on, and if there’s something going on, Phil will tell you.”
How vital was he to the Cup run in 2016? (Bonino and Kessel were linemates, and Kessel had 10 goals and 22 points in 24 games).
“Very vital. Being able to produce from the third line there, me and him, just made it a lot harder to defend us as a team. We had production throughout, even (Matt Cullen’s) line. So Phil putting all of those goals in obviously helps. He was instrumental in the power play with those guys (Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang, and Evgeni Malkin).”
JAMES REIMER
What do you remember about Phil in your time together in Toronto?
“He has a dry, sarcastic, kind of self-degrading, negative humor to him. But you don’t understand him until you meet him and get to know him. He doesn’t take life too seriously and yet obviously, he takes his job very seriously. He’s just a funny guy, and credit to him for darn near 1,000 games in a row.
“He’s just an interesting bird, and it works for him, right? He’s just got God-given strength and talent, and his genetic makeup is phenomenal and it works for him. You’ve got to find what works for you, and he has.”