PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Growing up, Amanda Kessel had a lot of dreams about hockey, all of them involved playing or maybe coaching. Now she has an opportunity to do something she never thought possible.
Kessel is joining the Pens on a one-year fellowship which the Pens say will ‘fast-track’ her for an NHL management role. She will be a one-year participant in the inaugural Penguins’ Executive Management program. Its focused on giving women and minorities necessary exposure in hockey front offices.
The gold medal U.S. hockey player said it began with conversations with Pens President David Morehouse. They had some initial talks about working for the team and it led to this.
“I’m happy to be one of the first, to be leading the way,” Kessel said Wednesday. “You see it now, there are a few women who are assistant GMs. Growing up, I really didn’t think that as be a possibility. They always say if you can see it, you can be it. I’m happy to be a leader in that.”
“The Penguins have always taken the lead in innovation and this is an example of us looking ahead as an organization to drive diversity and inclusion in the National Hockey League,” said Penguins president and CEO David Morehouse in a release by the team. “Our new executive management program gives unprecedented access to women and minorities to attain permanent, front-office executive positions in hockey and other professional sports.”
“Amanda has the experience, drive, and education to be a fantastic front-office executive in professional sports, and we are honored to welcome her to Pittsburgh,” said Morehouse.
Kessel will work in hockey operations, marketing and partnership departments and production on a rotating basis.
“It’s a really unique idea that David came up with,” Kessel said. “A lot of times when you go into a job, you only get exposed to one thing. With my background and coming from a playing career into this. It’s the perfect transition to be exposed to everything. As a lot of athletes know it’s tough. You don’t know exactly what path you want to take to get there or what path is best. This really gives me the opportunity to figure it out.”
“I think it’s terrific,” said Pens Head Coach Mike Sullivan. “It’s great for the Pittsburgh Penguins. It’s great for Amanda. It’s great for women’s hockey.”
“I think the mentorship program is something that could be built upon across the league to provide women more opportunity to be exposed to the business of hockey. It’s an opportunity for female hockey players to continue to participate in their passion.”
Kessel is a three-time Olympian, plays in the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association after playing four years at the University of Minnesota. She has no immediate plans to give up her playing career.