UMass Minutemen junior defenseman Matthew Kessel(51) decides to leave a year on the table and signs his 2-year entry level deal with St. Louis Blues.
The 6’3″ 203 lbs. blue liner was a 5th round pick in 2022 (#150 overall).
He reports to affiliate Springfield Thunderbirds and in 12 AHL games, has a pair of assists and is a +5 rating, heading into the playoffs.
The 2019 USHL Clark Cup Champion with Sioux Falls Stampede had a junior career high 17 assists that season.
He is definitely the height of on-ice accountability with an NCAA Division 1 hockey +37 rating.
The 21-year old may just play himself onto the big league squad before too long.
With some injuries to the blue line, the Scottsdale, AZ native scores a 1st NHL game for himself, in which he skates 15:17 ice time with 1 shot on net, 1 block shot and left the 4-3 shootout loss with a -1.
Still, nice start.
He signs a 2-year 1-way extension through 2025/2026 to continue in a Blues‘ jersey.
In his 35 game this season (37th overall), he scores a 1st NHL goal for himself.