KAC newcomer Mario Kempe comes to the Carinthian state capital with a considerable vita and has a lot with the red jackets. In conversation with the “Kronen Zeitung”, the Swede gave insights into his career and the goals with the EC KAC.
The 36-year-old only decided to extend his career in the summer: “The end of the career was an issue-but in the end I convinced my family and especially daughter Rio.”
Early against adults
At the age of 15, the Swede was on the ice against adults in his country’s third highest division. Three years later, he moved to the Canadian junior league through Modo’s offspring. In 2007, the Philadelphia Flyers followed a highlight with the NHL draft by the Philadelphia Flyers in the fifth round. Kempe remembers: “It was clear to me that I had to work hard for the NHL dream. If you firmly believe in your dream, you can do everything! I really wanted to go to the NHL and never gave up.”
NHL debut at the age of 29
At the age of 29, Kempe made her debut for the Arizona Coyotes. “I set the goal and did everything for it. My highlight was when I stood against my younger brother Adrian at the bully.” After two seasons in Arizona, he continued to Los Angeles, where he wanted to play with Brother Adrian. “It was a risky step, I could have stayed with Arizona. Unfortunately I didn’t pack the jump in LA and had to go to the Ahl.”
Big clubs in Europe
The next stop led the attacker to Zska Moscow in Russia. Later followed by Lulea, Tappara Tampere and Lugano. “Everyone had a tradition – like the KAC now!”
Restart in Klagenfurt
Now Kempe wants to attack again with the KAC. There was already the first success of respect: in the Chl home win against the German champion Eisbären Berlin, he was on the ice. “That feels really good – and I’m looking forward to playing a successful season with the KAC.”
