History was made on Tuesday night in San Jose, as Phil Kessel became the NHL’s new ironman leader for the most consecutive games played in league history. 

The forward played in his 990th NHL game in a row when the Golden Knights took the ice against the Sharks, breaking the record set last year by Keith Yandle. 

It is a streak that dates back to 2009, as the first game as a part of this long run by Kessel took place on November 3, 2009. That was Kessel’s first season in Toronto, where he would spend seven seasons with the Maple Leafs. 

Since his consecutive games mark began, Kessel has played for the Maple Leafs, Penguins, Coyotes and now the Golden Knights. In that time, the native of Madison, Wisc. has lifted the Stanley Cup twice, going back-to-back in 2016 and 2017 with Pittsburgh. 

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It’s a very impressive feat, especially for a player who has been the center of criticism for his physical form and diet decisions. Who knew the key to a long and healthy career in the NHL was hot dogs?

NHL’s ironman streak list

On Oct. 25, Kessel became the ironman king in the NHL by playing in his 990th consecutive game, breaking a tie with Yandle. 

Doug Jarvis had been the long-time record holder, however, Yandle passed him last season. Yandle was close to becoming the league’s first player to ever hit 1,000 games played, but he was ultimately scratched in a game late in the Flyers’ season last year. 

How Phil Kessel’s Ironman streak stacks up vs. NFL, MLB, NBA

NFL

In the NFL, it is Brett Favre that sits atop the list of most consecutive games started. He got the starting nod in 297 games in a row during his 20-year career in the NFL, an extremely impressive feat considering he played in 302. 

However, if you want to talk about consecutive games played, meaning someone did not have to start, that honor in the NFL goes to Jeff Feagles. The punter played in 352 games consecutively over the course of more than 20 years in the NFL. 

MLB

Cal Ripken Jr. is the ironman for the MLB, playing in 2,632 consecutive games in his career. His streak began in May of 1982 and ran all the way until September 1998. 

The former infielder passed Lou Gehrig’s mark, which was once considered unbeatable and had stood for 56 years. The two are the only players to play in 2,000 games in a row. 

Considering how many games are in a baseball season, it’s an impressive feat for Ripken Jr. and likely a record that won’t be broken. But to put in perspective just how insane the record is, among the active players in the MLB, only five have even played in 2,000 games.

Ripken took notice of Kessel’s feat, congratulating him on his longevity in a tweet saluting the veteran’s “passion for and love of his sport.”

Congratulations to Phil. Playing so many consecutive games in the grueling and demanding sport of hockey is remarkable. He clearly has a passion for and love of his sport. I’m sure that the Golden Knights and the Las Vegas fans celebrated with Phil and his teammates, way to go! https://t.co/1BOZyycQ9u

— Cal Ripken, Jr. (@CalRipkenJr) October 26, 2022

NBA

In basketball, A.C. Green owns the record for the most consecutive games played, competing in 1,192 contests in a row. 

His streak went all the way until the final game of his career, as the season finale of the 2000-01 season was Green’s last one in the league, ending the streak at 1,192. In total, he missed just three games over his 17-year tenure in the NBA.