SAN JOSE — The moment Phil Kessel smeared his fingerprints on that glistening trophy, the ultimate goal of every boy who’s ever laced up a pair of skates, a new chapter of his life officially began.
Phil Kessel: Stanley Cup champion.
For those of us who covered all 24 Penguins post-season games in their march to hockey’s Holy Grail, there is no question that the enigmatic winger deserves all the praise heaped on him during the title run.
He was explosive, drained a number of difference-making goals and led the Penguins in playoff scoring with 22 points, feats that turned him into a cult hero in the Steel City, along with linemates Carl Hagelin and Nick Bonino.