Tom Sestito, a professional ice hockey player, spent much of his career in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a left winger known for his physical style of play. Born on September 28, 1987, in Rome, New York, Sestito was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third round, 85th overall, of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. His journey in professional hockey began with the Blue Jackets, where he made his NHL debut during the 2007-2008 season.
Sestito's early years in the NHL were characterized by his role as an enforcer, a player tasked with protecting teammates and engaging in physical play. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing over 230 pounds, he was well-suited for this role. His time with the Blue Jackets saw him splitting his playing time between the NHL and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. This period was marked by his efforts to establish himself as a regular in the NHL lineup.
In 2011, Sestito was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, where he continued to play a similar role. His tenure with the Flyers was brief, and he spent a significant portion of his time with their AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms. Despite limited NHL appearances, Sestito's physical presence on the ice was undeniable, and he was known for his willingness to drop the gloves and engage in fights to energize his team and protect his teammates.
The Vancouver Canucks claimed Sestito off waivers in March 2013, providing him with a new opportunity to solidify his place in the NHL. During the 2013-2014 season, he played a career-high 77 games with the Canucks, leading the league in penalty minutes with 213. This season was a highlight in terms of his role as an enforcer, as he became a regular fixture in the Canucks' lineup. However, his style of play also drew criticism and sparked debates about the role of fighting in hockey.
Sestito's time with the Canucks came to an end in 2015, and he found himself returning to the AHL, playing for the Utica Comets. His career took another turn when he signed a professional tryout contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins' AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, in 2015. His performance earned him a two-way contract with the Penguins, allowing him to split his time between the NHL and AHL.
While with the Penguins, Sestito continued to play the role of an enforcer, though his NHL appearances were limited. He was part of the Penguins organization during their successful 2016 Stanley Cup run, although he did not play in the playoffs. His presence in the locker room and on the ice during the regular season contributed to the team's depth and physicality.
Sestito's professional hockey career was marked by his role as a tough, physical player who embraced the enforcer role at a time when the NHL was moving towards a faster, skill-based game. His career statistics include over 150 NHL games and more than 500 penalty minutes, reflecting his role on the ice. After the 2016-2017 season, Sestito's time in the NHL came to a close, and he continued to play in the AHL before eventually retiring from professional hockey.
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