​Ex-Maple Leafs Forward Discusses Playing with Phil Kessel GettyTORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 14: Phil Kessel #81 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on December 14, 2013 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Leafs defeated the Blackhawks 7-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) GettyFormer Maple Leafs forward Viktor Stalberg reflected on his time with Phil Kessel in Toronto. Stalberg revealed that Kessel was a great teammate and somebody he enjoyed being around.Toronto selected Stalberg 161st overall by the 2006 NHL Draft.Stalberg joined the Maple Leafs during the 2009-10 season after three strong seasons with the University of Vermont. There, he played with Kessel, who was also in his first season with Toronto after being acquired from the Boston Bruins.Viktor Stalberg Reveals What Phil Kessel Was Really Like as a Teammate on the Maple LeafsGettyTORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 14: Phil Kessel #81 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on December 14, 2013 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Leafs defeated the Blackhawks 7-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
Viktor Stalberg only played with Phil Kessel for one season on the Maple Leafs.Despite only spending only a brief period as Kessel’s teammate, Stalberg looks back fondly at his time with the Leafs. He noted that the American was a big character in the locker room and someone he spent a lot of time with.“[Kessel was a] funny guy, awesome guy. I spent a lot of time with him in Toronto. We were both fairly young at the time, me and Phil, and Tyler Bozak hung out a lot when we were up there,” Stalberg exclusively told Heavy Sports via Ozoon. “He’s a character, I like the guy. He loves his fast food, his hot dogs, and looks more like a mailman or something in terms of athleticism. I don’t know if he’s ever lifted a weight but he’s just a naturally gritty, strong guy.”Stalberg added: “He was just so naturally gifted, so naturally strong, and, you know, the career he had was incredible. Offensively, he did everything.”Stalberg Shares Thoughts on Kessel Breaking the NHL Iron Man RecordStalberg also shared his thoughts on Kessel setting the NHL‘s new iron man record. The three-time Stanley Cup champion holds the record for the most consecutive regular season games played.He revealed that Kessel was much stronger than he looked and would occasionally make a point of proving that.“Phil Kessel breaking the NHL Iron Man record? That is something I would not have bet a single dollar on, after playing with him,” Stalberg exclusively told Heavy Sports via Ozoon. “I think the strength coach in Toronto was chirping him for not doing anything in the gym, so he’d go in wearing flip-flops and squat more than anybody else on the team.”“He was so fast and honestly, in such poor shape in terms of hockey. And I know one year Toro