Former National Hockey League star Phil Kessel has been signed by WPT Global as its newest brand ambassador. Kessel, a popular player throughout his 17-year NHL career, will debut as a WPT Global representative at the WPT Playground Festival near Montreal, which begins on October 14.
Though Kessel is US-born, he formed a love for Canada during his six-year stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He now spends much of his time in Canada, and will spearhead a new 'Team Canada' initiative for WPT Global and the WPT. He's well known in the Canadian poker scene, and has been a poker fan and player for two decades. He's been a regular attendee at the WSOP most summers, cashing in seven events since 2013.
Kessel also spent the last of his 17 NHL seasons playing for the Las Vegas Golden Knights, where his friendship with poker superstar and Golden Knights enthusiast Daniel Negreanu flourished.
I’m incredibly excited to work with WPT Global. I have been an avid poker player for over 20 years, and a huge fan of the World Poker Tour,” said Kessel. ”I can’t wait to kick-off this relationship in Montreal and bring some cool experiences to fans.”
“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Phil to the WPT Global brand,” said WPT Global president Alex Scott. “Phil has not only excelled as a world-class ice hockey player but is also a huge poker enthusiast who embodies the values we hold dear. He’s engaging, passionate, and always striving to improve — qualities that make him a perfect fit for the WPT Global poker community.”
Kessel won a silver medal with the USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics.'Ironman' tourney featuring Kessel set for November
One of the early WPT Global promotions showcasing Kessel is set for late November. Kessel's Ironman Tournament will be invite-only, though new players can gain entry by registering with a special 'IRONKESSEL81' promo code, and existing WPT Global players can earn a tourney seat through other means.
The event will offer these prizes:
- 1st Place: A VIP WPT World Championship Package including travel to Las Vegas, hotel accommodations, dinner, golf with Phil, and entry to the $10,400 WPT World Championship Main Event.
- 2nd - 5th Places: Kessel-signed jerseys.
- 6th - 18th Places: Kessel-signed pucks or 8x10 photographs.
- Bounty Prize: The player who eliminates Kessel receives a special prize package, including a signed jersey, photo, puck, and a WPT Global Swag Bag, along with a personalized message from Kessel.
The event pays tribute to Kessel's stance as the NHL's reigning ironman, having played in 1,064 consecutive regular-season games through the end of the 2022-23 season. The streak is technically still active, as Kessel, now 37, wasn't on any NHL roster last season, although he appears to be gently skating into a new professional role.
The ironman streak is not Kessel's only honor, though it's his most distinctive hockey achievement. He's also been a member of three Stanley Cup-winning teams, and with over 400 goals and nearly 1,000 points tallied in his 17 regular seasons, he ranks among the top American-born players in NHL history.
Additional image courtesy of S.Yume/Wiki Commons.
