Departure came: Over 600 games for an NHL forward was enough – "I no longer enjoyed it"

Nine through the NHL, David Kämpf continues his career in the Czech top league. The 31-year-old Czech forward has signed a three-year contract with Litvínov.

Kämpf represented the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Washington Capitals during his NHL career. He played a total of 576 regular-season games and scored 149 points (50+99). In the playoffs, he accumulated 35 games and seven points (4+3).

The chairman of Litvínov’s board, Jiri Slegr, considers the transfer significant for the entire Czech top league as well.

– This is a huge boost and great news not only for Litvínov but for the entire Extraliga. Bringing in a player of David’s caliber, in the prime of his career, directly from the NHL is extremely valuable for us. David is a versatile forward, a leader, and a professional who will elevate the quality of our team to a new level immediately. We are excited that he decided to continue his career with us, Slegr says in the club’s statement.

In the NHL, Kämpf was particularly known as a defensive forward and a specialist in penalty killing. He has played for the Czech national team in three World Championships and in this year’s Milan Olympics. In 2024, he won the World Championship in Prague.

According to Kämpf, the decision to return home was the result of long consideration.

– I have been thinking about returning to the Czech Republic for a while. The nine years spent in the NHL were tough, and now felt like the right time to come home and find a team close to where I live. Chomutov plays in the first league, so I ended up in Litvínov, which I have had a connection to since childhood when I went there to watch games.

– In recent years, playing in the NHL felt more like a job, and I couldn’t enjoy hockey in the same way. I look forward to having more responsibility here, a new kind of energy, and the opportunity to enjoy playing again, Kämpf says.