Amanda Kessel Ready to Become One of the Elite Players in the World

As the United States national women’s team works towards assembling a gold medal squad for the 2013 IIHF Women’s Worlds, a key component of their success will be Amanda Kessel. Having reached the NCAA 200 point club in only three seasons, she is ready to emerge as one of the world’s elites.

For fans that may not have been aware of Amanda Kessel’s superstardom, the 2012-13 NCAA women’s hockey season solidified her standing. Among her remarkable accomplishments, she accumulated a 100 point season, claimed the 2013 Patty Kazmaier Award and helped Minnesota to a 41-0-0 record, complemented by a national championship.

“That was one of the best teams that I have ever been a part of. It was the most fun I ever had, and there was great chemistry.” With the Gophers having won two NCAA Frozen Four titles in a row, the chances of winning a third are very strong. “There is a great chance there. Losing Noora (to graduation) will hurt us, but our lines are four deep. We will be fine.”

With her older brother Phil Kessel competing for the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, he may have to be used to being called Amanda’s brother. “He congratulated me and told me he was very proud. It was a quick turnaround for us as we had to go to the US camp the next day.”

Her hard work during the 2012-13 season paid off as she was named to the US roster for the 2013 IIHF Women’s Worlds in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. On April 3, Kessel had the opportunity to play against Gopher teammates Noora Raty and Mira Jalosuo, both competing for Team Finland. The US prevailed over Finland by a 4-2 tally. “It was exciting to play them. The only time I had ever played against her (Raty) was in practice (at Minnesota).”

With the Sochi Winter Games approaching in less than a year, the US would like to win their first gold since Nagano 1998. The dream of winning gold at the Winter Games is one Kessel would like to make come true. ”It is very important. I have dreamed of that since I was little. A gold medal is something I think of every day.”

When she nodded the 200th point of her storied NCAA career, the accomplishment was featured in the Faces in the Crowd section of the popular publication Sports Illustrated. “I did not even know that I was going to be in it. Someone showed it to me and I got my own copy.”

Growing up, Kessel looked up to women’s players such as Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell (who was the captain of the US team at the 2006 Torino Winter Games). “They were the reason I ended up going to Minnesota. They were my two favorites to watch.”

The winner of the Patty Kazmaier Award in 2013, the accomplishment is a great point of pride for her, “It was really such an honor. The three of us (including Gopher teammates Megan Bozek and Noora Raty) were finalists. No matter what happened, I was happy. To be in the same category as Krissy Wendell (the only other Gophers player to win the award) is just an honor.”

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”