Amanda Kessel not playing in PWHL, promoted to AHL Penguins assistant GM

The Amanda Kessel saga in the PWHL is over, for now.

On Monday, the 32-year-old was promoted to manager of minor league operations with the Pittsburgh Penguins, as well as being named the new assistant general manager of the team’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Kessel has worked with the NHL Penguins for the past two seasons, including spending the 2023-24 season as a special assistant to general manager Kyle Dubas. In her new role, she will assist new Wilkes-Barre/Scranton GM Jason Spezza, who also received a promotion. Kessel will also oversee the Penguins’ ECHL affiliate, the Wheeling Nailers.

That means Kessel will not be playing the PWHL next season, something she had made the intentions of doing. The U.S. Women’s National Team veteran declared for the 2024 PWHL Draft earlier this year, really gaining interest from many teams. However, reports started circulating that Kessel would only play for PWHL Boston.

However, Boston seemed to have no intention of taking Kessel. That led to the Madison, Wisconsin native slipping down the draft board. However, with their final draft pick, Montreal selected Kessel 41st overall. At first, it seemed like a cheap get for Quebec’s team, as they didn’t waste a high pick on an admittedly talented player.

Montreal’s intention seemed to be to trade Kessel to Boston or another team. According to sources, there were no conversations between Montreal general manager Danièle Sauvageau and Boston GM Danielle Marmer.

Daily Faceoff has learned that Boston nixed the idea of pursuing Kessel, as some within the organization weren’t convinced Kessel would even play for them, with the possibility of her advancement with Pittsburgh looming during the offseason.

In speaking with people from around the league, many were rubbed the wrong way by how Kessel tried to enter the league. With the former PWHPA member declaring for the draft, she left herself exposed to being taken by any team in the league. Some say they didn’t like how Kessel believed she could dictate where she played.

Ian Kennedy of The Hockey News also reported that the asking price, both for returning assets and Kessel’s salary, was too expensive for any potential suitors.

The PWHL has not made any official statement on Kessel not playing this season, or how it will affect the draft moving forward.

Kessel won many awards in her playing career. She is a two-time IIHF Women’s Under-18 gold medalist, a four-time IIHF Women’s World Champion, a 2018 Olympic gold medalist, and a three-time NCAA champion with the University of Minnesota.