Phil Kessel: three-time Stanley Cup champion.
That's right. The hot dog-loving, fan-favorite is on top of the hockey world yet again.
Kessel won his third ring in his NHL career Tuesday night, as he and the Golden Knights raised the 2023 Stanley Cup.
PHIL KESSEL IS ONCE AGAIN A STANLEY CUP CHAMPION 🌭🏆 pic.twitter.com/R6tivzn6kD
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) June 14, 2023
Phil Kessel says this one is special because he can share it with his daughter. pic.twitter.com/3Bn3IzKDWK
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) June 14, 2023
However, things were not always smooth sailing for the winger in his career. During his six years with the Maple Leafs, Kessel took quite a bit of heat, as he was dubbed as a player that couldn't win.
He had a message for those critics after raising Stanley Cup No. 3
Phil Kessel: “Takes me back to my Toronto days. You guys said I couldn’t win, and now I’m a three-time champ. Remember that.”@TheHockeyNews pic.twitter.com/qx1HwInSdV
— Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) June 14, 2023
"Takes me back to my Toronto days," Kessel said to The Hockey News' Mike Stephens. "You guys said I couldn't win, and now I'm a three-time champ.
"Remember that."
MORE: Who won the 2023 Conn Smythe?
It's a tough truth for Leafs fans to swallow, who also were the targets of comments made by Nazem Kadri last year when he won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche. The former Toronto forward, who is now on the Flames, told critics, "You can kiss my a––" after helping Colorado to its third title.
Both Kadri and Kessel were traded by the Maple Leafs, only to go on and win championships with their new clubs. Kessel was moved to the Penguins in 2015 and went on to win titles in 2016 and 2017, helping Pittsburgh go back-to-back. He played an integral part in both of those runs and was arguably snubbed of the Conn Smythe in 2016 after leading Pittsburgh in scoring that postseason.
It may have been easy to forget that Kessel was on Vegas during its 2023 playoff run. The 35-year-old skated in all 82 games of the regular season but found himself as a healthy scratch for the majority of the playoffs.
After being in the lineup for the first four games of the first round, Kessel was removed once William Carrier returned from injury. Kessel did not play another game the rest of the way, finishing the playoffs with two assists.
Nonetheless, Kessel is enjoying it just as much as his first one. And as an experienced partaker in post-victory festivities, Kessel had one thing on his mind when asked about the celebrations going on after the historic win.
Phil Kessel is just trying not to puke out here 🤣 pic.twitter.com/DBW9B4K1Dq
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 14, 2023
MORE: Jack Eichel reflects on Golden Knights trade after winning 2023 Stanley Cup
Despite the previous opinions of detractors, "Phil Kessel" will now be engraved on the Stanley Cup for the third time, putting another milestone on an impressive resume for the American.
Most Stanley Cups by an active player
Kessel is now tied for the most Stanley Cups among all active players.
In total, there are nine players who have hoisted Lord Stanley three times, including Kessel's teammates, Jonathan Quick and Alec Martinez.
Here is a look at that list of active three-time Stanley Cup winners.
| Player | Stanley Cups |
| Patrick Kane | 3 (2010, 2013, 2015) |
| Jonathan Toews | 3 (2010, 2013, 2015) |
| Sidney Crosby | 3 (2009, 2016, 2017) |
| Evgeni Malkin | 3 (2009, 2016, 2017) |
| Marc-Andre Fleury | 3 (2009, 2016, 2017) |
| Kris Letang | 3 (2009, 2016, 2017) |
| Pat Maroon | 3 (2019, 2020, 2011) |
| Alec Martinez | 3 (2012, 2014, 2023) |
| Phil Kessel | 3 (2016, 2017, 2023) |
| Jonathan Quick | 3 (2012, 2014, 2023) |