Phil Kessel’s Brother Joins Toronto Marlies

It appears hockey runs deep in the Kessel family jeans as a third Kessel is making news in the hockey world today. Phil Kessel‘s brother, Blake, has been invited to Toronto Marlies training camp. Imagine having two Kessel’s playing in Toronto and eventually having both on the Toronto Maple Leafs? The city of Toronto might not be able to handle that much Kessel!

Blake has been invited as one of the 10 defenceman to battle for a spot on the Marlies blue line. With Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner sticking in the NHL with the Leafs this upcoming season and T.J. Brennan finding a new home, there are definitely some open spots on the Marlies blue line.

Blake Kessel was drafted by the New York Islanders in the 6th round of the 2007 NHL draft but never got a chance to suit up for the Islanders choosing to join the Flyers organization after his time at the University of New Hampshire. He actually left New Hampshire after his junior year to become an NHL free agent instead of being Islanders property after his NCAA career.

The 6 foot 2 and 205 pound defenceman has made his bones playing in the AHL with the Adirondack Phantoms and various teams in the ECHL. Last season he also suited up for the Rochester Americans for 8 games tallying two assists.

In 74 career AHL games the younger Kessel has recorded 3 goals and 24 points with a respectable +/- of -4. In 101 career ECHL games he has 16 goals and 77 points with a +/- of -15. Last year he spent the majority of the season with the Orlando Solar Bears in the East Coast Hockey League where he put up 33 points in 43 games.

With Phil Kessel leading the Leafs and Amanda Kessel leading team USA, Blake is hoping to finally make a name for himself much like his siblings.

Now Kessel’s next challenge will be cracking the Marlies blue line for a full season in the AHL and he’ll certainly have his older brothers support if they end up playing in the same city. Can Toronto handle two Kessel’s in town?