Penguins Make Move That Could Impact Amanda Kessel’s Playing Career

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced a massive promotion for three-time Olympian Amanda Kessel on Monday.

Kessel had previously served as a special assistant to the Penguins’ general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas. The Penguins have announced that Kessel has been promoted to manager of minor league operations and assistant general manager of the American Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. 

The promotion has raised questions about the future of Amanda’s playing career. Kessel, 32, is under contract with the Montreal PWHL franchise for the next two years but neither the team, nor Kessel, has made any indication regarding her future involvement with the team.

“Amanda’s promotion is a reflection of the exceptional work that she’s done with us over the past year-plus as she continues to grow and develop professionally,” Dubas told The Athletic’s Hailey Salvian. “Any decision regarding (Kessel) playing pro hockey will come from her, and we are supportive of whatever decision she makes.”

Kessel sat out the inaugural PWHL season while working with the Penguins, just one year after winning a gold medal with Team USA at the Women’s World Championship. At this time, her future in the league remains unknown as speculation grows that Kessel’s interest in playing in the PWHL was tied to her potentially playing with Team USA teammates Hilary Knight and Megan Keller, as well as her sister-in-law Courtney Kessel, with the Boston franchise.

As manager of minor league operations and assistant general manager of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Kessel will work alongside Jason Spezza in all matters regarding Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate, and will personally oversee the Penguins’ ECHL affiliate.

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