Former Gophers to be Enshrined in U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Amanda Kessel and Phil Kessel from the University of Minnesota men’s and women’s hockey teams will be enshrined in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2026 it was announced Thursday by USA Hockey.
The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Celebration, which will include the formal enshrinement of the Class of 2026, along with the presentation of the NHL’s Lester Patrick Trophy, will be held Nov. 30, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Additional details will be provided later this month. T.J. Oshie, Ryan Suter, and Stan Wong are the other three members in the Class of 2026.
Amanda Kessel made an immediate impact at Minnesota, helping lead the Gophers to three national championships in 2012, 2013 and 2016, including the 2013 team that went undefeated at 41-0. The Madison, Wis., native won the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award in 2013, becoming Minnesota’s second recipient, and was also named USA Hockey’s Bob Allen Women’s Player of the Year, WCHA Player of the Year, and an ACHA/CCM Hockey First Team All-American. She finished her Maroon and Gold career with 248 points behind 108 goals and 140 assists, currently ranking third in program history in points and assists and fifth in goals. Kessel was inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame in 2024.
An international star, Kessel represented the United States at three Olympic Games, earning one gold and two silver medals, and competed in seven IIHF Women’s World Championships, capturing four gold medals. Her international success began with the U.S. Under-18 Team, where she was named the tournament’s most valuable forward at the 2009 IIHF Women’s U-18 World Championship after leading the United States to gold. Following her playing career, Kessel continued her career in professional hockey and joined the Pittsburgh Penguins’ front office and currently serves as manager of minor league operations for the organization and assistant general manager for the club’s AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
While Phil Kessel only played one season of college hockey for the Golden Gophers during the 2005-06 season, he put together a memorable campaign, winning a WCHA regular-season title with the Maroon and Gold. As a freshman, he recorded 18 goals and 33 assists for 51 points in 39 games, leading all NCAA freshmen in scoring. Kessel helped guide Minnesota to a WCHA regular-season title and earned WCHA Rookie of the Year honors. He was also named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team after finishing second on the team in total points.
Following his freshman campaign, Kessel was selected fifth overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins and made his NHL debut on Oct. 6, 2006. Across 17 NHL seasons with five franchises, he compiled 413 goals and 579 assists for 992 points in 1,286 regular-season games, the most NHL points and games played by any former Gopher. A three-time Stanley Cup champion, he won back-to-back titles with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017 before capturing a third championship with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023. Kessel also established the NHL’s all-time ironman record by playing in 1,064 consecutive regular-season games. On the international stage, he won a silver medal with USA Hockey at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver before placing fourth at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where he was named the best forward in the tournament. Kessel also skated with the Americans during three IIHF Men’s World Championships (2006, 2007, 2008) and two trips to the IIHF World Junior Championships (2004, 2005).
About the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
Inductees are chosen on the basis of extraordinary contribution to the sport of hockey in the United States. The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame was incorporated in 1969 and inducted its first class in 1973. The Class of 2026 will be the 54th installed to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. To date, there are 215 enshrinees. For information on the members of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, visit USHockeyHallofFame.com. The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum is located in Eveleth, Minn.