Personal Life
Both of Phil Kessel's parents were athletes: father Phil Kessel, Sr, a college quarterback at Northern Michigan University, was drafted by the Washington Redskins of the National Football League, spending his first year on the injured reserve and then released. Not only were his parents athletically inclined but the entire Kessel family features successful athletes. Kessel has an older cousin who plays in the NHL,David Moss, of the Arizona Coyotes. His brother Blake Kessel, a defense-man, who was drafted by the New York Islanders in the sixth round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft plays for the Toronto Marlies the Leafs American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. Their sister Amanda Kessel also plays hockey for the Minnesota Golden Gophers of the WCHA, as well as internationally for the United States.