Jump to content

Adrian Kempe

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Adrian Kempe
Adrian Kempe Warmup.jpg
Adrian Kempe with the Los Angeles Kings in 2022
Born (1996-09-13) 13 September 1996 (age 28)
Kramfors, Sweden
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position Right wing
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Los Angeles Kings
Modo Hockey
National team  Sweden
NHL draft 29th overall, 2014
Los Angeles Kings
Playing career 2013–present

Adrian Kempe (born 13 September 1996) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Kempe was selected by the Kings in the first round (29th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

[edit]

MODO Hockey

[edit]

Kempe made his Swedish Hockey League (SHL) debut playing with Modo Hockey during the 2013–14 season.[1] At the end of the season, Kempe was selected in the first round (29th overall) by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.[2] He returned to Modo for the 2014–15 season.

Los Angeles Kings

[edit]

Early years (2014–2018)

[edit]

Following the conclusion of his season with MODO, Kempe signed an amateur try-out agreement with the Kings American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs for the remainder of their regular season and the 2015 Calder Cup playoffs.[3] He also signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Kings for the 2015–16 season.[4] Kempe made his AHL debut on 17 April against the Portland Pirates playing on the second line, but impressed head coach Mike Stothers enough that he was expected to move to the first line in his second game.[5] Over his next two games, Kempe played on the Monarchs top line alongside Brian O'Neill and Jordan Weal.[6] Once the Monarchs qualified for the Calder Cup playoffs, Kempe developed into an integral role with the team. He scored his first AHL playoff goal in Game 5 of their first-round series against the Pirates to help the Monarchs advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.[7] Kempe then scored goals in Games 3 and 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals to help the Monarchs sweep the Hartford Wolf Pack.[8] In Game 5 of the Calder Cup Finals, Kempe and Vincent LoVerde scored within four minutes of each other to help the Monarchs clinch their first Calder Cup.[9] This would also be the Monarchs final season in the AHL as Kings announced that they would be moving their AHL affiliate to Ontario, California and renaming them the Ontario Reign.[10] Kempe finished the playoffs with eight goals and one assist for nine points over 17 games.[11]

Kempe with the Ontario Reign in 2015.

After attending the Kings 2015 training camp, Kempe was re-assigned to the Reign for the 2015–16 season.[12] As he was coming to the NHL from Europe, he was eligible to spend the full 2015–16 season in the AHL if he failed to qualify for the NHL team.[13][notes 1] Due to injuries throughout the lineup, Kempe spent the majority of the season playing centre as opposed to his typical winger position.[15] Kempe began the season scoring one goal over eight games before recording his first AHL hat-trick on 5 November to lead the team 4–1 over the San Diego Gulls.[16] He missed some time in December to compete with Team Sweden at the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[17] He finished his rookie season with the Reign with 11 goals and 17 assists over 55 games.[11]

Kempe began the 2016–17 season with the Reign after attending the Los Angeles Kings training camp.[18] As a centreman, Kempe struggled at the start of the season, scoring three goals and two assists over 16 games. He was switched back to left wing on 3 December to improve his offensive play.[19] He slowly improved through the next few months and added 14 points by mid-February.[20] Kempe earned his first NHL recall on 15 February 2017,[21] and he made his NHL debut the following day against the Arizona Coyotes.[20] He recorded his first NHL point on 21 February by assisting on Tyler Toffoli's goal against the Colorado Avalanche[22] and scored his first goal on 11 March against the Washington Capitals.[23] Kempe played in 25 games for the Kings, recording two goals and four assists for six points, before being re-assigned to the AHL on 10 April.[22] Kempe finished the regular season with the Reign with 12 goals and eight assists for 20 points over 46 games.[11]

When attending the Kings 2017 training camp, Kempe was put on a line with Justin Auger and Kyle Clifford.[24] After qualifying for the Kings 2017–18 opening night roster, Kempe switched from No. 39 to No. 9.[25] He had worn the No. 9 growing up when playing soccer, in honour of Fernando Torres, and 10 when playing hockey.[26] Kempe began the season on a line with Michael Cammalleri and Trevor Lewis[27] but struggled to score through his first five games.[28] After tallying his first NHL hat-trick on 18 October in a 5–1 win over the Montreal Canadiens,[29] he added three more over the next four games.[30] An injury to Jeff Carter in late October resulted in Kempe moving onto the Kings second line with Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson.[31] Through his first 21 games, Kempe tallied 13 points and was tied for third in goals among rookies with seven.[32] While playing with Toffoli and Pearson, Kempe scored 14 goals through his first 44 games but was bumped back to the third-line once Carter recovered from his injury. He struggled to keep up his scoring pace on the third line and was reunited with Toffoli and Pearson after a 17-game scoring drought.[33] Although he struggled to score, Kempe became the first Kings rookie since 2009 to record 20 assists in a season.[34] Despite not scoring in the final 33 games of the regular season and playoffs, Kempe finished his rookie season with 16 goals and 37 points through 81 games.[35]

Later years (2018–present)

[edit]

Kempe returned to the Kings lineup for the 2018–19 season,[36] where he was expected to play as a winger on their second line with Ilya Kovalchuk and Jeff Carter.[37] Due to injuries throughout the lineup, Kempe began playing alongside rookies Matt Luff and Austin Wagner on the Kings third line.[38] After scoring three goals and four assists through 26 games, Kempe suffered a lower-body injury near the end of November.[39] He missed one game before returning on 4 December for a game against his brother and the Arizona Coyotes.[40] Kempe then experienced a 19-game scoring drought from 13 December until the start of February.[41] Through February, Kempe returned to his scoring form and quickly tallied four goals and four assists in three games for eight points.[42] As he began scoring more, Kempe also earned more ice time and typically averaged more than 14 minutes per game. From 2 February to 13 March, Kempe tallied six goals and 12 points over 18 games.[41] He finished the season with 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points over 81 games.[43] Once the season had concluded, Kempe joined Team Sweden to compete at the 2019 IIHF World Championship.[44] On 4 September 2019, the Kings signed Kempe to a three-year, $6 million contract extension.[43]

Kempe struggled at the start of the 2019–20, resulting in him being demoted to the fourth line and playing limited ice time.[45] Through the first 17 games of the season, Kempe scored one goal and three assists.[46] He was made a healthy scratch for a November game against the Minnesota Wild[47] before returning to the lineup as a left winger instead of center.[46] After scoring his 10th goal of the season on 9 January, Kempe experienced an 18-game scoring drought that was broken on 29 February. When he broke his scoring drought in a game against the New Jersey Devils, he also recorded his 100th NHL point.[48] When the NHL paused play due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kempe led the team with four shorthanded points while averaging 16:01 of ice time per game.[49]

Kempe (left) talking to teammate Matt Roy during the 2022–23 season.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was reduced to 56 games and began on 13 January 2021.[50] During the shortened season, Kempe was on pace to set new career highs in goals and assists.[51] He earned praise from head coach Todd McLellan for being a versatile player who was able to play different positions whenever needed.[52] On 9 March 2021, Kempe recorded his second career hat-trick and the first by an LA Kings player against the Anaheim Ducks.[53] He finished the season with 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points and was named to Team Sweden for the 2021 IIHF World Championship.[54]

Entering his sixth season with the Kings, 2021–22 would be a breakout year for Kempe, who posted new career highs scoring 35 goals and 54 points. He would also participate in his first NHL All-Star Game, held in Las Vegas; he is the only player from the Kings named to the All Stars this season.[55]

On 10 July 2022, Kempe signed a four-year, $22 million extension with the Kings.[56] Kempe would once again lead the Kings in goals scored, adding 41 goals to his total, and becoming the first Kings player since Luc Robitaille to score 40 goals in a season.[57]

Personal life

[edit]

Kempe was born in Kramfors, Sweden, where he also grew up. His older brother, Mario, is also a professional ice hockey player who played 52 NHL games with the Arizona Coyotes.[58] Kempe and Mario briefly overlapped in the Kings organization when Mario signed a one-year two-way contract with the Kings on 5 July 2019.[59] The brothers never played a game together as Kings, and after scoring 3 goals and 11 points through 16 games with the Ontario Reign, Mario was placed on unconditional waivers by the Kings in order for a mutual termination of his contract on 19 November 2019.[60]

Kempe's nickname is "Juice." The name originated during the Monarch's playoff run to the 2015 Calder Cup, in which the 18-year-old Kempe scored eight goals. His teammates and coaches described him as "having the juice" due to his impressive performance.[61][62]

In terms of investments, Kempe became part-owner of Swedish esports organization EYEBALLERS in May 2024.[63]

International play

[edit]
Medal record
Representing  Sweden
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2018 Denmark
Bronze medal – third place 2024 Czechia

Kempe has represented Sweden at the junior and senior levels in international competitions. He represented Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World Championship, where they won a gold medal,[64] and at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, where they won a bronze medal.[65]

Career statistics

[edit]

Regular season and playoffs

[edit]
    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2010–11 Kramfors–Alliansen J18 25 1 7 8 10 3 1 0 1 0
2011–12 Djurgårdens IF J18 18 9 7 16 8 — — — — —
2011–12 Djurgårdens IF J18 Allsv 16 1 3 4 16 4 0 2 2 0
2012–13 Modo Hockey J18 1 1 1 2 0 — — — — —
2012–13 Modo Hockey J18 Allsv 2 0 0 0 2 2 0 2 2 0
2012–13 Modo Hockey J20 39 6 7 13 36 7 1 0 1 4
2013–14 Modo Hockey J20 20 3 16 19 32 5 1 1 2 6
2013–14 Modo Hockey J18 Allsv — — — — — 4 5 3 8 6
2013–14 Modo Hockey SHL 45 5 6 11 12 2 0 1 1 0
2014–15 Modo Hockey SHL 50 5 12 17 42 — — — — —
2014–15 Modo Hockey J20 — — — — — 2 1 3 4 2
2014–15 Manchester Monarchs AHL 3 0 0 0 2 17 8 1 9 2
2015–16 Ontario Reign AHL 55 11 17 28 27 13 4 1 5 2
2016–17 Ontario Reign AHL 46 12 8 20 44 5 0 2 2 2
2016–17 Los Angeles Kings NHL 25 2 4 6 6 — — — — —
2017–18 Los Angeles Kings NHL 81 16 21 37 49 4 0 0 0 2
2018–19 Los Angeles Kings NHL 81 12 16 28 50 — — — — —
2019–20 Los Angeles Kings NHL 69 11 21 32 29 — — — — —
2020–21 Los Angeles Kings NHL 56 14 15 29 28 — — — — —
2021–22 Los Angeles Kings NHL 78 35 19 54 46 7 2 4 6 0
2022–23 Los Angeles Kings NHL 82 41 26 67 55 6 5 3 8 2
2023–24 Los Angeles Kings NHL 77 28 47 75 72 5 4 1 5 4
SHL totals 95 10 18 28 54 2 0 1 1 0
NHL totals 549 159 169 328 335 22 11 8 19 8

International

[edit]
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2013 Sweden WHC17 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 5 0 5 2
2013 Sweden IH18 7th 4 2 1 3 12
2014 Sweden U18 4th 7 1 6 7 16
2015 Sweden WJC 4th 6 4 4 8 2
2016 Sweden WJC 4th 7 3 5 8 8
2018 Sweden WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 10 2 6 8 8
2019 Sweden WC 5th 8 3 3 6 2
2021 Sweden WC 9th 7 1 4 5 2
2024 Sweden WC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 10 0 6 6 4
Junior totals 29 15 16 31 40
Senior totals 35 6 19 25 16

Awards and honours

[edit]
Award Year
NHL
All-Star Game 2022 [66]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Per the NHL and CHL agreement, "a signed player aged 18 or 19 who was claimed from a CHL club and is not retained by the NHL club, must be assigned to the CHL junior club whom he last played for or owes a contractual obligation."[14]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Kempe brothers to play together as Adrian makes debut" (in Swedish). Modo Hockey. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  2. ^ Lew, Deborah (11 January 2018). "Meet Adrian Kempe: LA Kings Rookie Forward". National Hockey League. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Monarchs Sign Adrian Kempe to ATO". Manchester Monarchs. 14 April 2015. Archived from the original on 25 April 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  4. ^ "2014 1st Round Pick Adrian Kempe Signed To Three-Year Entry-Level Contract". National Hockey League. 15 April 2015. Archived from the original on 22 April 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  5. ^ Tonge, Andy (17 April 2015). "AHL: Monarchs Win In Kempe's Debut". Mayors Manor. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Monarchs Scouting Report: Adrian Kempe". Union-Leader. 22 April 2015. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  7. ^ Tonge, Andy (2 May 2015). "AHL: Monarchs Survive, Advance To Conference Semifinals". Mayors Manor. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  8. ^ Tonge, Andy (3 August 2015). "From zany fashion to blazing speed, Kings prospect Kempe is one to watch". The Hockey News. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  9. ^ Clinton, Jared (14 June 2015). "Manchester Monarchs capture Calder Cup with 2-1 Game 5 victory". The Hockey News. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Reign Become the AHL Affiliate of LA Kings". Ontario Reign. 30 January 2015. Archived from the original on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  11. ^ a b c "Adrian Kempe". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  12. ^ Hammond, Richard (26 September 2015). "KINGS: Cut 18 from roster". The Press-Enterprise. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  13. ^ Dadoun, Ryan (14 April 2015). "'14 first-rounder Kempe joins Kings' AHL affiliate". NBC Sports. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  14. ^ Meltzer, Bill (15 July 2016). "Who can play where… and why". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  15. ^ "Crowded field competing for Kings' third- and fourth-line center spots". Orange County Register. 27 September 2016. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  16. ^ Nguyen, Alexander (5 November 2015). "Ontario's Hat Trick Leads to Gulls' First Loss of the Season". Times of San Diego. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  17. ^ Alfano, George (15 January 2016). "REIGN: Kempe surges in AHL". Press-Enterprise. Archived from the original on 31 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  18. ^ "Reign ready for 'fun time' and start of second AHL season". Daily Bulletin. 13 October 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  19. ^ Matsuda, Gann (6 December 2016). "LA Kings' Top Prospect Adrian Kempe Is Struggling To Improve". Frozen Royalty. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  20. ^ a b Teaford, Elliott (16 February 2017). "Adrian Kempe gives LA Kings an early look at the future". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on 31 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  21. ^ "Adrian Kempe, Paul Ladue Recalled from Ontario (AHL)". National Hockey League. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Brodzinski, Kempe, LaDue Assigned to Ontario Reign". National Hockey League. 10 April 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  23. ^ "Kempe's first NHL goal propels Kings past slumping Capitals". National Hockey League. 12 March 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  24. ^ Fowler, Clay (14 September 2017). "Adrian Kempe is Kings' best chance to add much-needed speed". Press-Enterprise. Archived from the original on 31 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  25. ^ "2017 Opening Night Roster; LA Kings Recall LaDue from AHL, Martinez to IR". National Hockey League. 5 October 2017. Archived from the original on 8 October 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  26. ^ Stephens, Eric (16 March 2023). "The L.A. Kings and their jersey numbers — what's the story behind each choice?". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 31 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  27. ^ Kennedy, Ryan (19 October 2017). "Kings rookie Kempe looking to stick around and make his mark –– and a hat trick certainly helps". The Hockey News. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  28. ^ McCaig, Sam (8 February 2018). "Calder Trophy Long Shots: The 10 best-of-the-rest rookies in the NHL". The Hockey News. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  29. ^ Greenspan, Dan (19 October 2017). "Kempe gets hat trick, Kings defeat Canadiens". National Hockey League. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  30. ^ Beacon, Bill (26 October 2017). "L.A.'s Adrian Kempe piling up goals against Canadian teams". Toronto Star. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  31. ^ Morreale, Mike G. (6 November 2017). "Rookie watch: Kempe stepping up for Kings". National Hockey League. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  32. ^ McCaig, Sam (25 November 2017). "The Freshman Effect: An NHL Team-by-Team Rookie Compendium". The Hockey News. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  33. ^ Zupke, Chris (14 March 2018). "Kings' Adrian Kempe hopes a reunion with Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli can spark his offense". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  34. ^ Whicker, Mark (27 March 2018). "Whicker: Adrian Kempe draws up a winning picture for Kings". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on 27 March 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  35. ^ Zupke, Curtis (29 September 2018). "Kings hope Adrian Kempe's performance in World Championship translates to NHL success". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  36. ^ "NHL opening night rosters for 2018-19 season". National Hockey League. 3 October 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  37. ^ Zupke, Curtis (29 September 2018). "Kings hope Adrian Kempe's performance in World Championship translates to NHL success". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  38. ^ Morales, Robert (26 November 2018). "Kings looking for right fit for struggling Ilya Kovalchuk". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  39. ^ "Kings center Adrian Kempe day to day with upper-body injury". ESPN. 2 December 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  40. ^ Greenspan, Dan (4 December 2018). "Coyotes at Kings preview". National Hockey League. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  41. ^ a b Zupke, Curtis (13 March 2019). "Adrian Kempe salvaging his season for the Kings after scoring slump". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 14 March 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  42. ^ "Player of the Month: Adrian Kempe". National Hockey League. 4 March 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  43. ^ a b "LA Kings Sign Adrian Kempe to Three-Year Contract Extension". National Hockey League. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  44. ^ "Adrian Kempe Set to Join Team Sweden for 2019 IIHF World Championship". National Hockey League. 19 April 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  45. ^ Harris, Jack (16 October 2019). "Kings coach on Adrian Kempe: 'He's got to be way more productive than he's been'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 16 October 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  46. ^ a b Greenspan, Dan (15 November 2019). "Kings rally to defeat Red Wings on Iafallo OT goal". National Hockey League. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  47. ^ Greenspan, Dan (13 November 2019). "Kopitar, Walker each has goal, assist for Kings in victory against Wild". National Hockey League. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  48. ^ Greenspan, Dan (29 February 2020). "Kempe OT goal lifts Kings past Devils". National Hockey League. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  49. ^ Compton, Brian (17 April 2020). "Los Angeles Kings season snapshot awards". National Hockey League. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  50. ^ "NHL 2020-21 season FAQ: Answering key questions ahead of unique year". Sportsnet. 21 December 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  51. ^ "Hear from Six LA Kings Players During Exit Interviews". National Hockey League. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  52. ^ Knoll, Andrew (19 March 2021). "Durable, versatile Adrian Kempe invaluable to Kings". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on 20 March 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  53. ^ "Adrian Kempe Scores Franchise's First Hat Trick Against Anaheim Ducks". National Hockey League. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  54. ^ "Ten LA Kings Players Named to 2021 World Championship Rosters". National Hockey League. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  55. ^ "Kings' Adrian Kempe makes 1st All-Star team; Doughty, Kopitar snubbed". www.ocregister.com. 14 January 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  56. ^ "Kings' Adrian Kempe agrees to four-year, $22-million extension". Los Angeles Times. 10 July 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  57. ^ Elliot, Helene (30 March 2023). "Column: After King-sized improvement, Adrian Kempe has shot at scoring milestone". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  58. ^ Vest, Dave (3 December 2018). "'Yotes Notes: Kempe Hoping to Play vs. Younger Brother for First Time". NHL.com. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  59. ^ "LA Kings Sign Mario Kempe to One-Year Two-Way Contract | Los Angeles Kings". www.nhl.com. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  60. ^ "Kings put Kempe on unconditional waivers". The Sports Network. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  61. ^ "NHL Power Rankings: A fun fact about every All-Star". ESPN. 2 February 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  62. ^ "LA Kings LW Prospect Adrian Kempe "Has Some Juice To His Game"". Frozen Royalty. 26 September 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  63. ^ "Victor Leksell, Adrian Kempe and GeoGuessr co-founders joins the EYEBALLERS family". EYEBALLERS. 10 May 2024.
  64. ^ Vickers, Aaron (22 May 2018). "Adrian Kempe and Team Sweden Take Home Gold from 2018 World Championship". National Hockey League. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  65. ^ Stanovich, Austin (27 May 2024). "Kings Fiala Collects World Championships MVP". The Hockey News. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  66. ^ "2022 NHL All-Star Game rosters, captains announced". .nhl.com. 13 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
[edit]
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Los Angeles Kings first round draft pick
2014 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Adrian_Kempe&oldid=1233824287"