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Oilers prospect, Michael Kesselring, commits to play at Northeastern University in Boston
Photo credit: UNIONLEADER
Sep 4, 2018, 12:36 EDTUpdated: Sep 4, 2018, 13:23 EDT
Michael Kesselring, the Edmonton Oilers sixth round pick from the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, has committed to play hockey at Northeastern University in Boston.
After putting up almost a point per game with New Hampton School in the USHS league last year, the right hand defenceman has become a very sought-after player amongst US colleges. It was Sunday when he made his final decision, taking his talents to Beantown for the 2019-20 hockey season. For the upcoming season, Kesselring will remain with the Des Moines Buccaneers in the USHL where he finished last season in. Here’s a fun fact for you: Not only did Kesselring get drafted by the Buccaneers in the USHL, but he ALSO got selected by the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL not too long ago. Kesselring obviously chose the collegiate route of hockey.
Going from High School Prep to the United States Hockey League to NCAA hockey seems like an ideal development path to me. In a few years from now, Kesselring will likely join the Bakersfield Condors as he continues his trek to the NHL. Not only is he a right shot defender, but Kesselring is also a big guy, standing at 6’4″, 190 lbs. Give him a few years to put some weight on and he could find himself a solid NHL defenceman.
As found in Baggedmilk’s draft article about him, here is the scouting report done on Michael Kesselring leading up to the draft.
“In terms of my strengths, I move the puck and can get up into the play and create offense,” Michael said. “As far as things I still have to work on, I’m 6-4, so I still have to fill out my frame — stay in the gym. And as a bigger guy you always have to work on your skating.”Michael was born in South Carolina, but spent most of his younger days in Manchester. He collected 34 points in 38 games with New Hampton last season, and then played 12 games for Des Moines in the USHL. Casey said he expects his son to play a full season with Des Moines next season and then it will be on to college hockey.“He skates well for a big kid,” Casey said. “He’s good offensively — like (former Boston University defenseman) Tom Poti from my era. He’s not overly physical, but he’s smart and can get things going on the power play. “
PRE-DRAFT RANKINGS
Ranked #167 by HOCKEYPROSPECT.COM
Ranked #274 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #214 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #75 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
USHL STATS SO FAR
| SEASON | TEAM | LEAGUE | GP | G | A | TP | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014-15 | NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL | USHS-PREP | 36 | 3 | 4 | 7 | – | |
2015-16 | NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL | USHS-PREP | 40 | 5 | 11 | 16 | – | |
2016-17 | NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL | USHS-PREP | 30 | 8 | 20 | 28 | – | |
NEW HAMPSHIRE AVALANCHE U16 | EJEPL 16U | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
2017-18 | NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL | USHS-PREP | 38 | 11 | 23 | 34 | 23 | |
DES MOINES BUCCANEERS | USHL | 12 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | -3 |
With all of this said and done, I think picking him 164th overall was a great choice by Peter Chiarelli and the Edmonton Oilers. I’m looking forward to watching this kid progress up the NCAA ranks and hopefully sign an ELC in the Oilers system one day.
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