| |
NEWSMAKER: Phil Kessel The
next Sidney Crosby?
CBC Sports Online | April 25, 2005
Phil Kessel is being touted as the future
of American hockey. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) |
Sidney Crosby hasn't played a single NHL
game but that hasn't stopped pro scouts from billing him as the next
Wayne Gretzky. The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League star has become
such an icon that people are wondering who will be the next Sidney
Crosby.
Step forward, Phil Kessel.
The 17-year-old from Madison, Wis., is one of the top prospects in
the game and is already being touted as a possible No. 1 pick in the
2006 NHL Entry Draft.
Boasting an impressive mix of guile, skill and speed, Kessel helped
guide the U.S. to the gold medal at this year's world under-18 hockey
championship in the Czech Republic.
The forward finished the tournament as the runaway scoring leader
with an impressive 16 points (nine goals) in six games. Teammate Nathan
Gerbe and Russia's Ilia Zubov finished a distant second place in the
scoring race with eight points each.
When it mattered most, Kessel came through for the U.S.: he posted
a three-point effort (one goal, two assists) against Sweden in the
semifinal and notched a pair of goals against Canada in the final.
His dominating performance was noticed by everyone, including Canada
coach Shawn Camp, who noted Kessel's "a guy that can dominate
from shift to shift" in an interview with the Canadian Press.
Impressing on the international hockey stage is nothing new for Kessel.
As a 16-year-old, Kessel was the top scorer (seven goals in six games)
and finished one point (10) short of the tournament scoring leader,
as the U.S. captured silver at the 2004 world under-18 hockey championship.
Kessel was also a key member of the American squad that placed fourth
at the 2004 world junior hockey championship.
The Ontario Hockey League's Saginaw Spirit owned the major junior
rights to the American forward, but Kessel recently ended speculation
about his future when he announced he would play for the University
of Minnesota.
"I have a lot of respect for Saginaw and their organization,
but college hockey, I've always wanted to play it," Kessel told
reporters during a conference call after announcing his decision to
play university hockey.
"I grew up watching college hockey and I thought that would be
the best fit for me."
"It's been real hard for me making the decision," Kessel
told the USA Today. "I woke up one morning and in my heart I
felt Minnesota is the best place for me."
A unique quirk of fate could result in Crosby and Kessel going 1-2
in the 2006 draft.
Crosby turns 18 in August and is widely considered the top prospect
of the 2005 draft class. Kessel will turn 18 a few weeks past the
Sept. 15 deadline for the 2005 draft.
However, Kessel's late birthdate, combined with the fact the NHL cancelled
this year's draft due to the ongoing labour dispute with the players,
could result in both players going in the 2006 draft.
|
 |
|
Born:
October 2, 1987 in Madison, Wis.
Impressive numbers:
In 2003-04, he broke the U.S. National Team Development Program goal-scoring record with 52 goals in 62 games. The old record of 43 was set by the Nashville Predators' Adam Hal.
He plays like:
Kessel lists Peter Forsberg and Joe Sakic as his favourite players, although scouts compare him to Mike Modano because of their similar scoring and skating ability.
Athletic father:
Phil Sr., played quarterback for the CFL's Calgary Stampeders in 1982 and was drafted by the NFL's Washington Redskins.
What they're saying:
"He's our Sidney Crosby." -- Team USA assistant David Quinn..
|
