MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — It didn’t take long for Matthew Kessel to realize the St. Louis Blues were giving him a big opportunity.
The 22-year-old defenseman signed a two-year, entry-level contract on March 27 after completing his junior season at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he had 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in 37 games. He then immediately joined Springfield of the American Hockey League, which he helped go on a run all the way to the Calder Cup Finals.
“Yes, definitely a special one [season],” Kessel said. “Got some good experience, and it was good to finish with Springfield there.
“I kind of had an idea. It was definitely my goal to sign with St. Louis and leave after my junior season at UMass. To be able to jump onto a good team like that and be able to get that experience is great.”
Selected by St. Louis in the fifth round (No. 150) of the 2020 NHL Draft, Kessel had three assists in 15 regular-season games for Springfield and two points in 18 playoff games, including scoring the overtime goal in Game 1 of the Final against Chicago. which won the championship in five games.
“It was definitely a great opportunity,” Kessel said. “A lot of great guys there with good character helped me get acclimated there, get fit in, and being able to obviously jump on a good team like that and start playing right away was just a great experience that I can take into next year.
“I think guys are a little faster and better with their decisions, so they’re a little smarter. I think that was the biggest thing, and the biggest thing for me was just continuing to stay confident, trust my skating ability with my size. (6-foot-2, 205 pounds), and just realize I have more time than I think and just make smart plays.”
Although Kessel did not take part in on-ice activities at development camp in July — the Blues elected to rest him after a long season — he was in St. Louis in order to get acclimated and put in work off the ice.
Blues director of player personnel Tim Taylor said he sees a path mapped out for Kessel similar to the one taken by the defenseman Colton Paraykowho was selected in the third round (No. 86) of the 2012 NHL Draft.
“[Kessel] took huge strides, and I went back to Parayko. He was one of the last guys that did that,” Taylor said. “He almost played more games in the pro level than in college, so it was a great stepping-stone for him. Get that experience from not only the AHL, but the AHL playoffs were ramped up even more, so he’s got a real good taste of what to expect to train and get ready for next year. … We thought highly of him, but now watching his feet play and his puck positioning and his heads-up and little internal plays that he makes to open up guys at the pro level, it gives us a real sense of gratitude knowing that it was a great experience for him, and this guy now is going to know what it’s going to be all about at training camp.”
Despite the Blues having eight NHL-caliber defensemen signed for the upcoming season, that won’t stop Kessel from continuing his improvement in an attempt to crack the lineup.
“You start and kind of see how a pro life is, to see how practices are, see how competition is, obviously, and just have a better idea in the summer knowing you have to work on everything so you’re even more prepared for the next season,” Kessel said. “Just continue to get stronger, continue to get faster are the biggest things to focus on, and continue my skills on the ice as well. I think those will have me ready to go into camp.”
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