Gophers
Age: 26
Height/weight: 6-0, 202
Position: Forward
Olympic experience/Sochi stats: Second (2010)/5 goals (including hat trick), 3 assists.
Twitter handle: @PKessel81
Bio: A two-time NHL All-Star with a huge shot, Kessel is an elite scorer whose game has grown since he scored a single goal in the 2010 Olympics. After signing an eight-year contract extension with Toronto last October, he is on pace to score 30 goals for the fifth time in the past six seasons. Kessel, whose 37 goals and 45 assists last season led all Americans in the NHL, is likely to play on a line with Maple Leafs linemate James van Riemsdyk as the U.S. hopes to quickly build chemistry in Sochi.
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