Czech Republic native Michal Kempny went undrafted in the NHL, and has spent his entire pro hockey career playing overseas – first in Slovakia and his home country of the Czech Republic, then in the KHL last year with Avangard Omsk.
Now, though, he’s headed for North America at long last.
The 25-year-old defenseman has reportedly inked a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL, which would bring him into their system for the upcoming 2016-17 season.
A native of Hodonin, Czech Republic, Kempny is one of the players who has already been named to the nation’s roster for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey, and he’s a regular on the national team – and has been since his U18 days. Not overly tall (the left shot defenseman stands at just 6 feet even and 192 lbs), his numbers have been trending up offensively for the last few seasons – ending with a 21 point, 59 game campaign for Omsk and four points through their 11 game postseason.
For the Blackhawks, this could be a fantastic pickup. At 25, Kempny just misses the cutoff to sign an entry-level deal, so he’ll cost more than a player just a bit younger than him. He’s still likely cost-efficient, though (despite his free agent status), which helps the cap-strapped Central Division club.
Although the Blackhawks have yet to announce the length and amount of the deal, that information is expected to be released soon. Craig Custance of ESPN has reported the deal as finished as of Monday afternoon.
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