Phil Kessel
An American scoring machine with a blistering shot and an ironman streak, whose unconventional style and clutch play led to three Stanley Cup championships.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American ice hockey player·Birthday: October 2·Millennials
Biography
Phil Kessel has always done things his way. Drafted fifth overall in 2006, his explosive speed and wicked wrist shot were undeniable, but his laid-back demeanor and unique physique made him a constant subject of scrutiny. After early stints in Boston and Toronto, he found his perfect home in Pittsburgh. There, as 'Phil the Thrill,' he shed the pressure of being a franchise centerpiece and thrived as a complementary sniper, playing a crucial role in the Penguins' back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 2016 and 2017. His resilience was epitomized by an incredible ironman streak that saw him play over 1,000 consecutive games, a testament to his durability despite public narratives. In a storybook finish, he won a third Cup with Vegas in 2023, solidifying his reputation as a winner. Kessel's career is a testament to pure offensive talent triumphing over conventional expectations.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Phil was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Phil Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Phil's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won three Stanley Cup championships (2016, 2017 with Pittsburgh, 2023 with Vegas).
- Maintained the second-longest consecutive games played streak in NHL history, surpassing 1,000 games.
- Scored over 400 career NHL goals, establishing himself as one of the premier American-born scorers.
- Won the Bill Masterton Trophy in 2007 for his successful return to play after battling testicular cancer.
Did You Know?
His ironman streak began in 2009 and ended in 2022, spanning 1,064 consecutive regular season games.
Kessel is an avid video gamer and has been featured in promotional material for the NHL video game series.
He was famously traded from Boston to Toronto for two first-round picks and a second-round pick, a blockbuster deal at the time.
Despite his scoring prowess, he has never been selected to an NHL All-Star Game.
“I just want to play hockey and be left alone.”
