Grabovski hustled Kessel to get money out of him when they were teammates in Toronto!

Mikhail Grabovski has remained close to Toronto since he retired from the National Hockey League and decided to reveal some secrets of the game when he was on the air of 31 Thoughts podcast on Sportsnet with Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek. 

The former NHLer revealed some great details about playing for the Maple Leafs, but also took the time to praise his former teammate Phil Kessel, who was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in July 2015. 

“One of the best players I’ve ever played with.” Then, he added, “He thinks he’s the best ping-pong player ever. Him and Dion Phaneuf, they always played against each other.”

This got Grabovski going on the two friends’ competitions. The Russian player finally admitted that he hustled his friend to get more money out of him in one of the funniest stories out there about Kessel: 

Finally, Grabovski asked for a match. “Oh Grabo, I’m going to beat you, don’t worry,” Kessel replied. “I say $200,” Grabovski responded, “And he looks at me, ‘Oh yeah for sure, let’s do it.’” Kessel was winning early, and Grabovski upped the stakes to $500. Yes, he hustled Kessel. I’ve been in pool halls where you’d get your legs broken for that. “That’s my personality too,” Grabovski laughed. “I’m competitive…I won.”

We bet Kessel was informed about his friend’s mischief. We wonder if the Pens forward will be seeking a revenge now?