Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kempe recently returned from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where NHL players participated in the Games for the first time since 2014. Representing Sweden on the international stage marked a significant milestone in Kempe’s career, and he reflected on this unique experience, sharing insights about the atmosphere and personal impact it had on him.
Reflecting on the Olympic Atmosphere and Milan’s Unique Setting
Although Sweden did not secure a medal during the competition, Kempe described the overall time as a valuable experience. He admitted to uncertainty before the event but found great enjoyment throughout the two weeks of competition.
“Didn’t really know what to expect going into the tournament with everything going on around it and in the village and everything. But [I] had a great time. Really enjoyed the two weeks,”
Kempe said.
Despite having fewer sports hosted in Milan compared to other Olympic locations, Kempe appreciated the chance to be surrounded by diverse athletes and embraced the spirit of the city during the Games. He noted how the Olympics transformed Milan, emphasizing the unifying power of the event.
“It just felt like everybody was there for one thing, and that was the Olympics,”
he explained.
“So it was really cool to see [and] just experience that, and just see how big everything just becomes in a couple of weeks. Just changes [the] entire city. So I think that experience was awesome.”
Impact of Kevin Fiala’s Injury on Kings Teammates
While the Olympic trip brought excitement, a shadow loomed over the Kings’ locker room when forward Kevin Fiala, who plays for Team Switzerland, suffered a severe lower-body injury at the Games. This injury is expected to sideline Fiala for the remainder of the NHL regular season, creating a challenging situation for the Kings as they approach the critical final stretch.
Fiala has been one of the top scorers for the team this season, and Kempe expressed both professional and personal concern regarding his teammate’s setback.
“He’s such a big part of this team, and especially going into [the] final stretch of this season,”
Kempe said.
“He’s a big key player to our team, and obviously it’s really sad to see him go down like that. I wish him all the best in his recovery coming back, and hopefully we can make the best out of it for him for the rest of the season.”
Building Chemistry with Artemi Panarin and Adjusting to New Dynamics
Back with the Kings, Kempe’s focus shifted to integrating with newly signed offensive star Artemi Panarin. The pair practiced together for the first time, sharing ice time on the same line and the power play unit. Kempe highlighted Panarin’s skill and creativity, expressing eagerness to develop on-ice chemistry.
During the Olympics, Kempe had discussions with fellow Swede Mika Zibanejad, Panarin’s former teammate from the New York Rangers, which helped him prepare for playing alongside the new teammate.
“All he had to say was good things about him,”
Kempe remarked.
“And obviously it’s a little bit different, because he’s a righty and I’m a lefty and Mika’s a center and I’m a right wing, so it’s a little bit different. But [I’ll] try to watch some video of him, and try to watch some video of other guys that have success playing with him, what they do, where they play, and all that kind of stuff.”
This preparation illustrates Kempe’s commitment to quickly adapting to the team’s evolving roster as they prepare for the season’s concluding games.
Renewed Focus and Determination for the Remainder of the Season
After a brief period of rest, Kempe reported feeling physically refreshed and mentally ready to contribute to the Kings’ push toward the end of the campaign. His determined mindset reflects the team’s urgency as they seek to overcome recent challenges and capitalize on new opportunities.
“[I’m] just trying to catch up to where the team is at right now. Just had a couple days off, so [my] body’s feeling good, mind is rested. So I’m ready to go, and hopefully we can just have a good finish [to] the year.”
