Amanda Kessel returns to Minnesota women’s hockey
Amanda Kessel is ready to resume her hockey career.
The 24-year-old standout forward is officially returning to the Minnesota Golden Gopher women’s hockey team for the remainder of the 2015-16 season, head coach Brad Frost announced.
Kessel last suited up for the Golden Gophers in 2013, when she won the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award as the top player in NCAA Division I women’s hockey and helped the team to a perfect 41-0-0 record and a national title.
After suffering a concussion while with the U.S. national team, however, it was believed her playing days were over.
"We're excited to have Amanda returning to the lineup," Frost said. "Her recovery and overall health have always been most important, and we weren't sure if she would have the opportunity to play college hockey again. Knowing that Amanda and the team of doctors working with her have determined she is healthy and ready to resume playing is certainly great news.
"She has always been a part of our program, and we're happy she has a chance to finish out her college career on the ice along with completing her coursework and getting her degree this spring."
This season marks Kessel's final year of NCAA eligibility.
In 114 career games, she has recorded 97 goals and 231 total points.