While doing some research online to see what could be dug up about the trade of Phil Kessel to the Toronto Maple Leafs, I’ve come across several sources questioning his character. Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald.com paints a picture of a petulant kid who was disgruntled with the firm coaching style of Claude Julien.
“The truth was that a youngster like Kessel should have welcomed the chance to play for Julien, who only tried to make him a better all-around player.
Or maybe he didn’t like the press and fan interest in Boston. On a personal level, Kessel has a lot of maturing to do. He remains a shy kid, uncomfortable at times with even mundane social interactions.”
This seems a little harsh to me. Since when does a guy need to be an outgoing, media savvy person to play hockey? Further more, since when does being shy depend on your age? This seems like a kangaroo court to me, where the media decides a person is of poor character and the fact he doesn’t feel comfortable talking to them somehow confirms it. How do you question the character of a young man who’s battled testicular cancer and survived?
The problem for Kessel is that the media scrutiny is only going to get worse in Toronto.
Here’s an angle from Paul Hunter of The Star in Toronto. “Burke said the winger has been largely misunderstood because of his shyness. The GM said he is completely comfortable dealing for Kessel after spending time with the native of Madison, Wisc., on the national level in the past. Burke is also the general manager of the American Olympic team and was reassured by Kessel’s behaviour at that team’s summer camp.
“I’ll tell you a story,” said Burke, harkening back to an American camp in Portland, Me., before last year’s world championship when a fishing trip was planned as a team outing. “The captain, Jeff Halpern, asked Phil if he wanted to go. Phil said, `I get seasick in a bathtub. I have trouble even fishing on a lake.’
“So Halpern said, `I guess that’s a no.’ But Phil said, `If the guys are going, I’m going.’ He went, puked his guts out but did it because it was a team function.
The media spin machines are obviously in full swing in both Boston and Toronto, painting the picture the respective fans want to see.
There will be a lot more talk about the past, until Kessel recovers from his shoulder surgery (expected to resume playing in November) and gives us a glimpse of the future.