NHL Draft Results: Los Angeles Kings draft Adrian Kempe No. 29 overall
It was only a couple weeks ago when the Los Angeles Kings won their second Stanley Cup in the last two seasons after they dispatched the New York Rangers in five games, but here they were again on Friday at the 2014 NHL Draft where they took Adrian Kempe with the No. 28 overall pick.
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Kempe is a 6-1, 178-pound right wing from Modo in the Sweden league and also spent time with the Modo Jr. team in the junior league. Between the two teams, Kempe recorded 19 points in 20 games on three goals and 16 assists for the junior team and had five goals and six assists for 11 points in 45 games for the senior club.
Director of European Scouting, Goran Stubb on Kempe:
“He’s a big, strong, bullish forward who can play center or wing. He likes to drive hard for the net, using his strength and skating to his advantage. He plays the body and is aggressive when forechecking. He has a good defensive game for a player with his offensive skills; mobile, solid and strong. He’s a power forward, strong along the boards with smooth hands and is a very speedy skater. He’s a solid two-way forward.”
His favorite player is Marian Gaborik who signed a seven-year extension to remain with the Kings after leading the NHL with 14 goals in the playoffs. Perhaps, he will get a chance to play with his favorite player if he can continue to develop in Sweden before making the leap to the NHL.