Amanda Kessel Promoted to AGM of AHL Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced a number of promotions and organizational changes this week, including the promotion of Amanda Kessel to Manager, Minor League Operations, and Assistant General Manager, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Now in her third year with the Penguins organization, Kessel will work alongside Jason Spezza to oversee the Penguin's AHL affiliate and will work closely with the ECHL affiliate.

This recent promotion calls into question whether Kessel will join PWHL Montréal for the season after being drafted by the team in the 2024 draft. She was selected in the seventh round by the Canadian team, despite rumours that Kessel only wanted to play for PWHL Boston.

Kessel last played for Team Adidas in the PWHPA and joined Team USA at the World Championships in 2023.

Winner of the Patty Kazmaier Award in 2013, Kessel has had an illustrious career at the college, international, and professional levels.

After winning Rookie of the Year in her freshman year at the University of Minnesota, Kessel became the fourth player in NCAA history to reach 100 points in a season. She led the team to a national championship in her senior year, scoring the game-winning goal against Boston College.

Kessel spent two years in the NWHL with the Riveters and was named MVP of the NWHL All-Star game in her rookie year. She then played in the PWHPA from 2019-2023.

Internationally, Kessel has won three Olympic medals and played in seven Women's World Championships.