St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong declared on Wednesday that the Blues have secured defenseman Matthew Kessel to a two-year, one-way contract extension valued at $1.6 million. The contract carries an average annual value (AAV) of $800,000.
At 23 years old, Kessel has participated in 23 games this season for the Blues, accruing three assists and eight penalty minutes. He has predominantly played in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Blues’ affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, where he has notched two goals, five assists, totaling seven points, and accumulated 16 penalty minutes.
Selected at No. 150 overall in the 2020 NHL Draft by the Blues, Kessel displayed his talents after recording 11 points in 34 games with UMass in the NCAA. Over three seasons with UMass, he amassed 51 points in 100 games. Kessel played a crucial role in securing consecutive NCAA Hockey East Championships during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons and clinched the NCAA National Championship in 2020-21 by defeating St. Cloud State University.
Originating from Scottsdale, Arizona, Kessel transitioned to professional play during the 2021-22 season, featuring in 15 games with the Thunderbirds and tallying three assists. He made his debut in the National Hockey League with the Blues last season, appearing in two games. Throughout 25 NHL games, Kessel has registered three points and accumulated eight penalty minutes. Across his three AHL seasons, he has recorded 43 points in 120 games.
In tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Kings, Kessel is expected to form the second pairing with Torey Krug, as per Daily Faceoff’s line combinations for the Blues defensive pairings. Following tonight’s match, the Blues are set to face the Minnesota Wild on Saturday and the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday in consecutive games.
