Career Timeline of Ryan Kesler: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ryan Kesler made an impact.

Ryan Kesler is a retired American professional ice hockey center, drafted 23rd overall by the Vancouver Canucks in 2003. He played for the Canucks for a decade before being traded to the Anaheim Ducks, where he finished his NHL career. Kesler was known as a skilled two-way forward with an aggressive, agitating playing style. His most notable achievement was winning the Selke Trophy in 2011, awarded to the NHL's best defensive forward, while also being a finalist for the award four other times.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

July 1999: Offer Sheet

In July 1999, the Tampa Bay Lightning extended an offer sheet to Brett Hauer. This is included because the text mentions this specific date.

June 2000: Drafted by Brampton Battalion

In June 2000, Ryan Kesler was drafted in the fifth round, 89th overall, by the Brampton Battalion in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection.

2001: Kesler wins gold at World U-17 Hockey Challenge

In 2001, Ryan Kesler competed at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge in New Glasgow and Truro, Nova Scotia, helping the American team win a gold medal. He recorded one goal and five assists in six games.

2002: Kesler wins U18 title and Best Player Award

In 2002, Ryan Kesler participated in the IIHF World U18 Championships in Slovakia, finishing with seven points in eight games. The Americans won their first U18 title, and Kesler was awarded the Best Player Award for the tournament.

June 21, 2003: Drafted by Vancouver Canucks

On June 21, 2003, Ryan Kesler was drafted 23rd overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL Entry Draft.

August 18, 2003: Signed with Vancouver Canucks

On August 18, 2003, Ryan Kesler signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks.

November 24, 2003: NHL Debut

On November 24, 2003, Ryan Kesler made his NHL debut with the Vancouver Canucks in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

December 2003: Kesler released to play in 2004 World Junior tournament

In December 2003, Ryan Kesler was released by the Vancouver Canucks to play in the 2004 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

2003: Kesler at the 2003 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

In 2003, Ryan Kesler played in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, finishing second in team scoring with seven points in seven games. The United States lost the bronze medal game to Finland.

2003: Drafted by Vancouver Canucks

In 2003, Ryan Kesler was selected in the first round, 23rd overall, by the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL Entry Draft.

2004: Kesler wins IIHF World U20 Championship

In 2004, Ryan Kesler scored two goals as the Americans went 4-0 to win Pool A and advance to the semi-finals. In the gold medal game, Kesler scored the game-tying goal as the Americans won their first IIHF World U20 Championship.

2004: NHL Lockout

In 2004, the NHL Lockout forced Ryan Kesler to spend the entire season with the Manitoba Moose.

2005: First Full NHL Season

In 2005, Ryan Kesler played his first full season with the Vancouver Canucks, appearing in all 82 games.

2005: AHL All-Star Game

In 2005, Ryan Kesler was named to the AHL All-Star Game while playing for the Manitoba Moose.

2005: Kesler attends orientation camp for 2006 Winter Olympics

In September 5-8, 2005, Ryan Kesler was named to the orientation camp for the American team at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, but did not make the final roster.

July 1, 2006: Restricted Free Agent

On July 1, 2006, Ryan Kesler became a restricted free agent after rejecting a qualifying offer from the Vancouver Canucks.

2006: Kesler at the 2006 IIHF World Championship

In 2006, Ryan Kesler made his national men's team debut at the IIHF World Championship in Riga, Latvia, finishing with one point in seven games.

May 24, 2007: Re-signed by Canucks

On May 24, 2007, Ryan Kesler re-signed with the Vancouver Canucks to a three-year contract extension.

September 30, 2008: Named Alternate Captain

On September 30, 2008, Ryan Kesler was announced as an alternate captain for the Vancouver Canucks.

2008: Kesler develops offensive game, earns Selke nomination

During the 2008-09 season, Ryan Kesler began to add a more offensive component to his game and earned his first Selke Trophy nomination as the NHL's best defensive forward.

March 19, 2010: Kesler signs contract extension with Canucks

On March 19, 2010, Ryan Kesler signed a six-year, $30 million contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks, structured to pay him $5 million per season.

November 24, 2010: Kesler scores 100th career NHL goal

On November 24, 2010, Ryan Kesler scored his 100th career NHL goal in a 4–2 win against the Colorado Avalanche.

2010: Kesler wins silver medal at 2010 Winter Olympics

In 2010, Ryan Kesler played for the United States at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, scoring a goal in the gold medal game against Canada, but ultimately lost in overtime and settled for a silver medal.

2010: Kesler focuses on composure, changes his play

In the 2010 off-season, Ryan Kesler was encouraged to play with more focus, maintaining his emotions and decreasing confrontation with opposing players, leading to a successful 2010-11 campaign.

January 7, 2011: Kesler records second hat-trick of his career

On January 7, 2011, Ryan Kesler recorded his second career hat-trick against the Edmonton Oilers in a 6-1 win.

2012: Playoffs drought

In 2012, Ryan Kesler and the Anaheim Ducks had their last playoff appearance before entering a playoff drought.

February 15, 2013: Kesler debuts for the 2012-2013 season

Ryan Kesler made his 2012–13 season debut on February 15, 2013, after missing time due to recovery from shoulder and wrist surgeries, in a 4–3 loss to the Dallas Stars.

November 22, 2013: Kesler records 200th career assist

On November 22, 2013, Ryan Kesler recorded his 200th career assist on a goal by Henrik Sedin in a 6–2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

June 27, 2014: Kesler traded to Anaheim Ducks

On June 27, 2014, Ryan Kesler was traded to the Anaheim Ducks, along with a third round pick, in exchange for multiple picks and players.

2014: Traded to Anaheim Ducks

In 2014, Ryan Kesler was traded to the Anaheim Ducks, where he spent the rest of his NHL career.

March 18, 2015: Kesler scores his 200th career goal

On March 18, 2015, Ryan Kesler scored his 200th career goal in a 3–2 win over the Los Angeles Kings.

July 15, 2015: Kesler signs contract extension

On July 15, 2015, Ryan Kesler signed a six-year contract extension worth $41.25 million with the Anaheim Ducks.

2016: Kesler's performance in 2015-16 season and playoffs

In the 2015-16 season, Ryan Kesler placed third in Selke Trophy voting and earned a fifth place vote in the Hart Memorial Trophy race. He recorded 53 points (21 goals, 32 assists) in 79 games. During the 2016 playoffs, Kesler recorded four goals in seven games, but the Ducks were defeated by the Nashville Predators in the first round.

2016: Kesler's performance in the 2016-17 season

In the 2016-17 NHL season, Ryan Kesler recorded 58 points in 82 games. The Anaheim Ducks had a lengthy playoff run, losing in six games to the Nashville Predators in the Western Conference Finals. Kesler finished second in the Selke Trophy race and earned his second All-Star appearance.

January 1, 2017: Kesler records hat-trick

On January 1, 2017, Ryan Kesler recorded his fourth career hat-trick in a 4–3 shootout win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

December 27, 2017: Kesler's season debut after hip surgery

On December 27, 2017, Ryan Kesler made his season debut in a 4–1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, after missing the first 37 games due to hip surgery.

2018: Kesler's performance in the 2017-18 season and playoffs

In the 2017-18 season, Ryan Kesler played 44 games, scoring 8 goals and 6 assists. In the 2018 playoffs, he had two assists in four games as the Ducks were swept by the San Jose Sharks in the first round.

2018: Kesler's performance in the 2018-19 season

In the 2018-19 NHL season, Ryan Kesler played 60 games, with five goals and three assists. The Ducks missed the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

March 5, 2019: Kesler plays his 1,000th NHL game

On March 5, 2019, Ryan Kesler played his 1,000th NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes, becoming the 333rd player in NHL history to reach this milestone.