Michael Kesselring

Michael Alan Kesselring (born January 13, 2000) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a defenseman for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 164th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2018 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

Kesselring played high school hockey for the New Hampton School within the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council before spending the conclusion of the 2017–18 season with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League (USHL). In his first year of eligibility, with standout physical attributes and strong hockey sense, Kesselring was selected by the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the sixth round, 164th overall, of the 2018 NHL entry draft.

In his only full season in the USHL in 2018–19, Kesselring split the season between the Buccaneers and the Fargo Force before committing to a collegiate career with Northeastern University of the Hockey East.

During his sophomore season in the NCAA, Kesselring opted to conclude his collegiate career and turn professional for the remainder of the 2020–21 season, signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers on March 22, 2021. Appearing with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, on an amateur tryout basis, Kesselring collected three points through 21 regular season games and making six post-season appearances. In his first full professional season in 2021–22, Kesselring established himself on the Condors blueline, registering 2 goals and 13 points through 55 regular season games.

Continuing with the Condors in his third season in the AHL in 2022–23 season, Kesselring showed offensive development by scoring 13 goals and 22 points through only 49 games with Bakersfield. Approaching the NHL trade deadline, Kesselring was traded by the Oilers along with a 2023 third-round pick to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Nick Bjugstad and Cam Dineen on March 2, 2023. He was immediately recalled by the Coyotes and made his NHL debut the following day in a 6–1 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes at Mullett Arena. He was reassigned the following day to the Coyotes AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, on March 4, 2023.

At the completion of the 2024–25 season, Kesselring was traded by the rebranded Utah Mammoth, along with Josh Doan, to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for JJ Peterka on June 25, 2025.

On June 17, 2026, Kesselring was traded by the Sabres to the San Jose Sharks, along with the 27th overall pick in the 2026 NHL entry draft, in exchange for the 20th overall pick in the 2026 draft. He signed a three-year contract with the Sharks on June 28, 2026.

Personal life Kesselring was born in Florence, South Carolina, the son of Casey and Shawndra Kesselring. His father, Casey, played professional hockey at the ECHL level and has served as a minor, high school and junior head coach since 2003. Michael was coached by his father during his high school tenure with New Hampton School. His younger brother, Mason, played junior hockey with the Langley Rivermen and Coquitlam Express in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and for Curry College in NCAA Division III.

International play

Kesselring represented the United States at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where he recorded one goal and three assists in ten games and helped Team USA win their first gold medal since 1933.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2014–15 New Hampton School USHS 36 3 4 7 — — — — — — 2015–16 New Hampton School USHS 40 5 11 16 — — — — — — 2016–17 New Hampton School USHS 30 8 20 28 — — — — — — 2017–18 New Hampton School USHS 38 11 23 34 23 — — — — — 2017–18 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 12 0 2 2 2 — — — — — 2018–19 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 33 2 10 12 8 — — — — — 2018–19 Fargo Force USHL 33 7 15 22 20 2 0 0 0 0 2019–20 Northeastern University HE 34 2 3 5 35 — — — — — 2020–21 Northeastern University HE 20 5 3 8 23 — — — — — 2020–21 Bakersfield Condors AHL 21 1 2 3 10 6 0 3 3 2 2021–22 Bakersfield Condors AHL 55 2 11 13 45 4 0 0 0 0 2022–23 Bakersfield Condors AHL 49 13 9 22 40 — — — — — 2022–23 Arizona Coyotes NHL 9 0 3 3 6 — — — — — 2022–23 Tucson Roadrunners AHL 10 2 5 7 7 3 0 0 0 2 2023–24 Tucson Roadrunners AHL 6 0 0 0 11 2 0 0 0 0 2023–24 Arizona Coyotes NHL 65 5 16 21 66 — — — — — 2024–25 Utah Hockey Club NHL 82 7 22 29 89 — — — — — 2025–26 Buffalo Sabres NHL 34 0 2 2 50 1 0 0 0 0NHL totals 190 12 43 55 211 1 0 0 0 0

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2024 United States WC 5th 7 2 1 3 0 2025 United States WC 10 1 3 4 2 Senior totals 17 3 4 7 2