The word around Boston regarding 21-year-old free agent center Phil Kessel is that he and the Bruins are worlds apart
on a new contract. But it's clear that whatever frustrations might be
coming out of those negotiations aren't impacting Kessel's role in the community.
Less than a month removed from surgery on his left shoulder that's likely to keep him out
of the start of the 2009-10 NHL season, Kessel made the day of about
100 youngsters last week at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in
Franklin, Mass.
The family of local twins John and Austin Brown had won the "Show and Tell" experience at a Boston Bruins Foundation
charity auction that benefited the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon.
For the donation, the family won a show and tell experience for their
school. And the item they brought was quite a bit more interesting than
your typical pet rock or a postcard from your summer vacation.
"This is our buddy, Phil Kessel," Austin said to a group of his fifth-grade classmates.
The Bruins center greeted the boys with handshakes, team-autographed
sticks and handed out jerseys and other team merchandise. And, as the
Milford Daily News details, he even stuck around to answer questions from students at the school:
"What's your favorite youth hockey moment?" While
Kessel played youth hockey, his favorite moments have been getting
drafted to play for the Bruins and his first goal as an NHL player."Who's your best friend on the team?" Blake Wheeler and David Krejci are tops on Kessel's list of buddies.
Despite being a bit nervous before the event got under way, Kessel said that the day ended up being a huge win.
“Obviously, I’m nervous because I’m not a great public speaker, but
you enjoy doing this stuff because it makes the kids happy,” he told
BostonBruins.com. “It makes their day, so whenever you get a chance to
do that, it’s great.
"It was a great day."
