(Photo Courtesy Thom Kendall/UMASS Athletics)

ST LOUIS, MO – St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today the team has signed defenseman Matt Kessel to a two-year, entry-level, contract that will begin with the 2022-23 season. 

Kessel, who was drafted by the Blues in the fifth round (150th overall) of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, will report to the Blues’ AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, on a tryout and will be a member of the Thunderbirds for the remainder of the season.  

Kessel, 21, has spent the past three seasons at UMass-Amherst.  This season, the 6’3, 203-pound defenseman dressed in 37 regular-season games, collecting 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) and 22 penalty minutes. 

In 2020-21, Kessel logged 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) in 29 regular-season games and was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team after helping UMass-Amherst capture the 2021 NCAA Championship.  Prior to his collegiate career, Kessel spent two seasons in the USHL, including 2018-19 when he led the Sioux Falls Stampede to the Clark Cup Championship.

Kessel and the T-Birds return to action on Friday, April 1 with another visit to Providence to take on the Bruins at 7:05 p.m. inside the Dunkin' Donuts Center.

For more information on the Springfield Thunderbirds and to learn more about becoming a 2022-23 ticket member, please visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com or call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) to speak to a Thunderbirds representative.