PHIL “THE THRILL”

Hockey

Written by Chase Howard

Vegas Golden Knights winger Phil “The Thrill” Kessel has officially broken the NHL ironman record with 990 consecutive games played, as the Knights won 4-2 over the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.

Source (Background Photos): Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Kessel broke the record set last season by former PHX/ARI, NYR, FLA, PHI defenseman Keith Yandle, who made a video tribute for Kessel that, was played during the game. Having retired after last season,

Yandle had become the NHL's ironman record-holder when he reached his 965th game in a row in January, passing long time holder Doug Jarvis' record. While Phil The Thrill is a two-time Stanley Cup champ this may be his crowning achievement.

Kessel has long been haunted by a perceived laziness, bad attitudes or bad habits, although often without much merit; playing 990 consecutive games is a good way to prove their foolishness. It took him 12 years to accomplish this; it's hard to put it into words how crazy it is to play every single game of one full NHL season, let alone doing those 12 years in a row.

Considering the grind of skating almost every single day combined with ridiculous amounts of travel, its crazy this freak was never kept out of the lineup whether by flu, a sprain, a concussion, or anything else you can think of.

Back in March, Kessel even played in the first period of a game that he left for the birth of his daughter and was back with the team for their next game, talk about dedication to the game. All this from a guy that was once known for eating a bunch of candy and hot dogs, while rarely if ever drinking water.

For the record Kessel apparently did not like the taste of water, mostly having blue Gatorade instead (had to include that as it gets me every time). Just to put a cherry on top of his record setting evening Kessel also potted his 400-career goal.

Congratulations to the NHL’s new ironman Phil The Thrill.