The season is quickly approaching, which means it’s time to look towards the future. We do that every year with the Five For Howling 25 Under 25, ranking the Coyotes’ best players under 25. For this year’s rankings, I am joined by James Reeve (@JamesRJReeve), Mike Gould (@miketgould), Haynes Evans (@HaynesPEvans), and Matthew Jacobson (@TheAZSportsGuy).
Michael Kesselring
2022-23 League: AHL (Bakersfield Condors/Tucson Roadrunners) – NHL (Arizona Coyotes)
Games Played: 49/10 – 9
Goals: 13/2 – 0
Assists: 9/5 – 3
Playoffs Games Played: 3
Playoffs Goals: 0
Playoffs Assists: 0
Highest Rating: 19
Lowest Rating: Not Rated
Michael Kesselring was a late addition to the Arizona Coyotes. Originally drafted 164th overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers, the Coyotes acquired him and a third-round pick for forward Nick Bjugstad and defenseman Cam Dineen in March 2023.
Immediately after being acquired, Kesselring made his NHL debut with the Desert Dogs. He played 16:04 against the Carolina Hurricanes and was held off the scoresheet. After the game, the Coyotes reassigned Kesselring to the Tucson Roadrunners, but it wouldn’t be his last time in Tempe.
Kesselring found his footing in his sophomore season in the AHL, and he finished with some impressive numbers. He and Trevor Carrick were tied for third in goals by defensemen with 15, with all 15 of Kesselring’s goals coming 5-on-5.
After showing what he could do with the Roadrunners, Kesselring earned a few more call-ups. He finished strong with three assists in his last two games with the Desert Dogs. He registered an assist against the Colorado Avalanche on March 26th and had a two-assist night in the Coyotes’ final game of the season against the Vancouver Canucks.
It is still too early to know Kesselring’s position within the Coyotes’ plans. He has impressed in the AHL but still needs to prove he can translate that success to the NHL. The Coyotes don’t have any defensemen signed past next season, and Kesselring is in the final year of his entry-level contract as a 23-year-old, so he could find himself earning a good extension if he continues to improve.