Phil Kessel may have not been able to bring a championship to the Maple Leafs, but he brought the Stanley Cup to Toronto.
The Penguins forward hoisted the greatest trophy in sports back in June when the Penguins defeated the Sharks in six games to win their first title since 2009 and fourth overall.
Kessel spent six seasons with the Maple Leafs from 2009-15, but was traded to the Penguins on July 1, 2015. The forward formed a potent line alongside Carl Hagelin and Nick Bonino, which was instrumental in the Penguins' run to the Cup.
The Penguins winger may now play for Pittsburgh, but he hasn't forgotten about his connections to Toronto. Kessel brought the Stanley Cup to the Hosptial For Sick Children a.k.a. SickKids on Monday and spent some time with patients and their families:
SickKids was buzzing with #StanleyCup fever today! Thx for visiting our patients & families @PKessel81 #NHL pic.twitter.com/OMySknGsW3
— SickKids_TheHospital (@SickKidsNews) July 18, 2016
Kessel, 28, had 181 goals and 213 assists for 394 points through 446 games for the Maple Leafs in his career, but also had a controversial relationship with the media, and eventually an awkwardl split from the organization.
As a team, the Maple Leafs didn't enjoy much success during Kessel's time there as they made the playoffs just once in his six seasons in Toronto, blowing a huge Game 7 lead against the Bruins in Round 1 and getting eliminated unceremoniously in 2013.
Kessel played all 82 regular season games for the Penguins last season, finishing 26-33--59 in the regular season. The forward paced the Penguins and placed fourth in the NHL with 10 goals and 22 points in the postseason. He also had 12 assists, placing him third on Pittsburgh and was knotted for the league lead with 11 power play points.
The Penguins forward isn't the only former Maple Leaf to be appearing in Toronto this week. Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf, who played alongside Kessel for six seasons with the Maple Leafs, posted an Instagram photo of he and his wife Elisha Cuthbert heading to Toronto:
A photo posted by Dion Phaneuf (@dion_phaneuf3) on Jul 18, 2016 at 9:14am PDT
The Maple Leafs haven't hoisted the Stanley Cup since 1967, but Kessel has brought the greatest trophy in sports back to Toronto.
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