Kessel on the cusp of 100th point

The Gophers women’s hockey program has helped produce remarkable talent in its 15-year history — 17 Patty Kazmaier Award (Top Player in the Nation) Finalists, 21 All-Americans and seven Olympians.

Of that bunch, only three have ever eclipsed the 100-point plateau as a sophomore: Nadine Muzerall, Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell.

A fourth will be joining that short list soon — Amanda Kessel.

Kessel, the team’s leading scorer with 49 points this season, will reach the mark with her next goal or assist.

“It’s pretty special. Hearing the names that have reached that,” Kessel said. “If I can join them, it would be a huge honor.”

She’ll join some pretty elite company. Muzerall is the program’s all-time leader in goals scored and both Darwitz and Wendell have captained the U.S Olympic Team.

Muzerall, who has served as an assistant coach for the Gophers since October, had some high praise for her sophomore star.

“She’s a playmaker, but also can be that go-to person, that clutch player that you need a goal from,” Muzerall said. “She’s very effective on the power play but is also great on the penalty kill.”

Muzerall said that Kessel’s well-rounded skill set is “crucial for a successful program” and described her as “one of the top forwards … in the NCAA.”

The stats corroborate that assessment.

Kessel’s 49 points (21 goals, 28 assists) are the sixth-most nationally. In 2010-11, her team-leading mark of 50 points was the fourth-best amongst all freshmen.

With eight more regular-season games left on Minnesota’s slate, Kessel is sure to eclipse her point total from a year ago. Minnesota head coach Brad Frost said her health has played a key role in her progression.

“She’s healthier this year than she was last year. She’s been able to practice more,” Frost said. “She’s been able to battle and compete more in practice, and therefore, it allows her to take that next step in her game.”

Kessel said she doesn’t think she’s reached her full potential and expects her game to continue to evolve in the coming years.

“I want to become more consistent all the time, and that’s something that I really strive for. I want to be a little too perfect sometimes,” she said.

If she does continue to improve, Kessel will stand a fantastic chance of fulfilling her goal of playing in the Olympics.

At 17, she was invited to the US Olympic Team tryouts but was cut. And yet she has acquired a bevy of international experience throughout the years. She represented Team USA on the U-22 Team, U-18 team and in the Four Nations Cup.

Senior captain Sarah Erickson said that Kessel’s “international play has helped her tremendously.”

Kessel said that she tries to bring her global experience back to the Gophers.

“The speed and skill, almost the attitudes and competitive spirits, there are a little more increased than at the college level,” Kessel said. “Whenever I can bring that kind of stuff back, I think it gives me a little bit of an edge.”

As far as her ambitions at the collegiate level, Kessel said she wants to “win a national championship, or a few maybe.”

The No. 2 Gophers are one of the favorites to capture this year’s crown and if they do, she’ll likely have a big hand in it.

“I think her legacy has yet to be written, just as to where she’ll fall in the all-time greats. She’s only a sophomore, and she’s been leading her team for the last year and a half points-wise,” Frost said.

“When you’re able to do that as a sophomore, it speaks volumes to the talent and the ability that she has.”