Yahoo Sports Former Oilers Defender Makes NHL History
EDMONTON -- Making history is what hockey players dream of.
Sometimes, that history is recording 1000 points in an NHL career. Other times that means just being the first player to do something impressive.
There is one former Edmonton Oilers defender who made NHL history on Saturday night.
The Utah Hockey Club defeated the Buffalo Sabres 5-2. Propelling his team to a win was defenseman Michael Kesselring. Kesselring scored the first goal for Utah and assisted on the eventual game-winner netted by Nick Schmaltz.
Oh, and he also fought.
Malenstyn hit on Kesselring. Malenstyn vs Kesselring #sabrehood #utahhc pic.twitter.com/85iRXAgs1A
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) December 7, 2024
Kesselring was on the wrong end of a thunderous hit from Beck Malenstyn of the Sabres. He took exception to that and instigated fisticuffs with the opposing forward.
With the hit, goal, and assist, he became the first player to record a Gordie Howe Hat Trick in Utah Hockey Club history.
Kess Kess Kess! pic.twitter.com/qk6PQRokzo
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) December 7, 2024
The 24-year-old was named the first star of the game. Not bad for 16:12 worth of work.
Adding to how impressive this feat was -- it was Kesselring's 100th career NHL game. The promising defender has a potentially long career ahead of him, especially if he can continue to play like he did on Saturday night.
The 6-foot-4, 215 lbs defender was a sixth-round pick from the 2018 draft for the Oilers. He has 14 points in 26 games, averaging 19:15 of ice time per night.
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