Meet Adrian Kempe: LA Kings Rookie Forward

An Ikea sofa is no longer the biggest claim to fame for Kramfors, Sweden - at least not to the LA Kings.
It is the hometown of Kings rookie, Adrian Kempe, who is currently fourth on the team with 13 goals scored, behind Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, and Tyler Toffoli.
The Kramfors native began playing hockey at the age of five, following in the footsteps of his father and brother.
"My dad was big into hockey too, and my brother played," Kempe said. "It took me a while. They tried when I was younger, too, but I didn't really want it right away, so it took me a couple years."

Adrian's older brother, Mario, plays in the Arizona Coyotes organization, and the two have been close since they were young.
"I always tried to learn from him and be like him. He was probably my biggest idol. Obviously, you try to look at NHL players like Peter] Forsberg and those guys, but I think my brother was my idol and my favorite player growing up. I always wanted to play like him," Kempe said, who admits he talks to his brother almost every day.
[Instagram from @adriankempe: -Öh Pulver
The brothers played together during Adrian's first year of professional hockey in Sweden, and they are looking forward to competing against each other one day in the NHL. When asked if he's a better player than his brother, Adrian laughed.
"I don't know. We're different kinds of players," he said.
One of Kempe's biggest career challenges came when he moved away from home for the first time.
"I moved from home when I was 15, and that was kind of a learning process. Every year you grow as a person, and moving to America] when I was 18 helped me a lot too," Kempe said. "You have to take responsibility to be a pro, and it starts early. I think that helped me a lot on the way, and I think I'm doing good now. So, that's something I'm proud of."
[Instagram from @adriankempe: #difföralltid #smguld #u16
The Kings' first round draft pick - 29th overall - in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft has played in the organization since 2015. Making it to the NHL was a goal of Kempe's since childhood, and getting to this point has required hard work and dedication. But, he said it has been well worth it.
"I've always been dreaming about [playing in the NHL], and I always thought I could make it. I was drafted pretty early, and that's a good thing. Since I came over, I think I've gotten better and better every year, and all the guys have been helping me, down in Ontario and up here. Coming into this season, my goal was to take a spot on the team. I think I had a good camp and a good summer and that set me up for a good year."
The first-year winger has 13 goals and 21 points through 41 games so far this season. He's had plenty of help and support from Kings' veterans like Brown, Kopitar, Jeff Carter, and Drew Doughty.
"They tell me to play my game and that helps a lot," the 21-year-old said.
Between playing with the Ontario Reign and now for the big club, Kempe has settled into life in SoCal, specifically Manhattan Beach, where he appreciates the calm. He's a self-proclaimed homebody and is roommates with fellow rookie and teammate, Alex Iafallo.

Iafallo and Kempe met each other this summer and got to know each other pretty quickly. Although they keep to themselves in their respective bedrooms a lot, they have good chemistry at home and usually cook together or go out for meals.
"I don't think either of us is very good at cooking, but we can do simple stuff," Kempe admitted, whose family visited in December and cooked for the entire house.
Kempe has been to many of the typical Los Angeles tourist destinations, but he said he is a bit skeptical on the idea of Disneyland.
"I don't know if I would like it. I'll probably have to go there someday," Kempe said.
When he isn't at the rink or mulling over theme parks, Kempe is content at home, hanging out with friends and playing Call of Duty. He isn't afraid to name himself and Jonny Brodzinski as the best CoD players on the Kings roster. On Kings' charters, he's heavily involved with his Nintendo Switch, playing Super Mario Kart with Iafallo, Brodzinski, Toffoli and Tanner Pearson.
Instagram from @adriankempe: ��
Before coming to the states, Kempe listened primarily to Swedish music, but now will indulge in Country, Hip Hop, and other American genres. He said the best DJ out of Sweden is Avicii.
In addition to hockey, Kempe said he played and excelled in soccer as a kid. He played until the age of 14, and then had to make the decision between playing hockey and soccer.
"It was not really a choice because I was so much better at hockey than I was at soccer," the Fernando Torres and Liverpool F.C. fan said.
Some may say he made the right choice.