HC Sparta Prague » Camping Spartan! There was nothing to think about!
22/10/2022 HC Sparta
The long-term negotiations ended in success, representative Michal Kempný is coming to Sparta for at least two seasons. An experienced defender should increase the quality of our defense and also expand the options in the growing squad. The bronze medalist from this year’s world championship returns to the Czech Republic after five years in the NHL, where he also won the Stanley Cup with Washington.
The club’s management used an experienced defender already in the summer, but Michal Kempný preferred a contract in the NHL, where he signed with Seattle. However, he did not fight for a place in the Kraken team, so after the termination of his contract, he moved to the Czech Republic and signed for Sparta. He reported to the ice for the first time on Saturday morning, then after lunch he signed a two-year contract with our club.
Our sports section thus received another big boost. “We’ve been talking about Michal’s arrival since the summer, when we agreed in case he couldn’t get involved in the NHL. We’re very happy that we stayed with his first choice. He’s a huge addition to our defense.” said sports manager Jaroslav Hlinka.
The fighter, who has almost 250 games in the NHL, is also looking forward to a new request. “I really like that Sparta is the one with the highest ambitions. We will subordinate everything to success to achieve what we all want. And that is to win the title. I am very much looking forward to the whole journey.” he stated before Saturday’s practice.
He returns from overseas after six years spent in Chicago and immediately helped to the Stanley Cup with his great performances after being traded to Washington.
Kempný: My family and I are at home in Prague
How was your last 48 hours?
It was a bit of a hectic period. We were dealing with terminating the contract overseas and yesterday the transfer to the Czech Republic was on the agenda. Long flight. I didn’t sleep much. But I’m glad to finally be home. So the feelings are definitely great.
What made the decision for Sparta?
It wasn’t an overnight decision. We addressed this possibility on an ongoing basis. It didn’t work out the way I imagined overseas. I basically only played one game there, got concussed in the second one and haven’t played since. At the beginning of the season, they immediately sent me to the farm. I didn’t want to be in the position I was in last year. My family and I decided to go back.
When was it clear that you would play for our team?
We had already agreed in the summer that if it didn’t work out, I would come to Sparta. We have a family background in Prague. We are here at home. There was nothing to think about.
Did it also help that you trained with us in the summer and knew the environment?
I know a lot of guys on the team. Of course, I was happy for the opportunity to train with them in the summer and get to know other people in the organization. It certainly helped with that.
Did you watch Sparta’s performances?
Yesterday, after arriving, I coincidentally went with a friend for a beer and they watched the match. I was surprised by the excellent fan background, the match had an excellent pace.
What are you most looking forward to in Sparta?
For everything. After seven years abroad, I am returning to where it all began. One of my requirements was to play for it with the highest ambition. This is something I really like. We will subordinate everything to success in order to achieve what we all want. And that is to win the title. I’m really looking forward to the whole trip.
When will you start for the first time?
It won’t happen on Sunday. I need time to settle. Realistically, I see it on Wednesday against Vítkovice.
PROFILE AND STATISTICS OF MICHAEL KEMPNÉ:
A native of Hodonín, he grew up in a local club, but Slovak Skalica brought up Michal Kempný for major hockey. However, the Czech youth representative returned to Kometa Brno in 2008, although four years later he helped to win silverware, he did not win a permanent place in the first team.
The turning point was the summer of 2012, when he went on loan to Slavia and, under the leadership of Vladimír Růžička, ranked among the best defenders in the competition. The career rise continued even after returning to Kometa, where Kempný was one of the team leaders in the last 29 points of 2014/2015, thus helping to win bronze.
In the following year, a member of the wider team of the national team headed to the KHL, where he was elected defender of the week three times in the Omsk jersey and earned a ticket to the world championship in 2016. At the Russian tournament, the Czech defender caught the eye of a representative of Chicago, who took him to the NHL.
The World Cup participant spent less than two seasons with the Blackhawks when he was somewhat unexpectedly traded to Washington during the second year of 2017/2018. And this step turned out to be vital, because the Capitals, thanks to the great performances of the Czech quarterback, went all the way for the dream Stanley Cup! Although the Czech quarterback was hampered by health problems in the seasons, he continued to play almost 250 games in the regular season.
In May 2022, the Czech representative earned a nomination for his third World Championship in Finland, where he won bronze with the Czech team. In the fall, he tried to win a place in Seattle, but despite signing a contract, he did not participate in the season, and in October he agreed on a new contract with Sparta.