Mario Kempe

History

2006-07: Kempe notched 42 points (23 goals, 19 assists) in 62 games for the St. John’s Fog Devils, good for fourth-best on the squad.

2007-08: Kempe followed up his rookie season for the St. John’s Fog Devils with a strong sophomore performance.  He missed time this year due to injury and attending the WJC for Sweden, and scored 25 goals and 24 assists in 48 games.  He then turned in a gutsy playoff performance by scoring 4 goals and 3 assists in 6 games during an eventual series loss to Acadie-Bathurst in the first round of the QMJHL playoffs. Kempe also represented silver medalist Sweden in the 2008 WJC.  Although used in a limited role behind more senior Swedish players, Kempe played admirably, but registered no points in six games. 

Talent Analysis

Kempe has blazing speed and a willingness to crash the net with reckless abandon. In this way, he plays like someone with much bigger size, reminding some scouts of a young Mikael Renberg. In addition to his great wheels, he also possesses outstanding vision, strong passing skills and creativity in the offensive end. The drawbacks to his game at this point are his lack of an NHL-quality shot and an unrefined two-way game. Like many young players, he also has a good deal of filling out to do, which should come over time with proper training.

Future

Playing for Rogle BK in the Swedish Elite League.