David Kämpf (born 12 January 1995) is a Czech professional ice hockey player who is a forward for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vancouver Canucks. Internationally, Kämpf has represented the Czech Republic, contributing to a gold medal win at the 2024 World Championship.

David Kämpf
Kämpf with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2022
Born (1995-01-12) 12 January 1995 (age 31)
Jirkov, Czech Republic
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 192 lb (87 kg; 13 st 10 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams
Washington Capitals
Piráti Chomutov
Chicago Blackhawks
Toronto Maple Leafs
Vancouver Canucks
National team  Czech Republic
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2012present

Playing career

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Although never drafted, Kämpf began his youth hockey career with Piráti Chomutov in 2009 at the under-16 level.[1] He made his professional debut in the Czech Extraliga with Chomutov during the 2012–13 season.[2] In his fifth year with the club, during the 2016–17 campaign, he had a breakout season, recording a personal best of 15 goals and 31 points across 52 games.

On 19 April 2017, Kämpf chose to exercise his option to remain with Chomutov for another year, despite interest from NHL teams.[3] However, just weeks later, on 1 May, he activated an out-clause in his contract and signed a two-year entry-level deal with the Chicago Blackhawks.[4]

In the 2017–18 season, Kämpf made his NHL debut on 28 December 2017, and netted his first NHL goal on 12 January 2018, contributing to a 2–1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets.[5]

After spending four seasons with the Blackhawks, Kämpf entered free agency and signed a two-year, $3 million deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs on 28 July 2021.[6]

After two successful seasons with the Maple Leafs, Kämpf chose to stay in Toronto by signing a four-year contract extension worth $9.6 million on 28 June 2023, ahead of becoming a free agent.[7]

The Maple Leafs placed Kämpf on waivers at the start of the 2025–26 season and sent him down to play for the Marlies in the AHL.[8] After playing four games in the AHL, Kämpf walked away from the Marlies in November 2025. His absence was considered a breach of contract, and he received a suspension letter from the Leafs on 2 November.[9] His contract was subsequently suspended on 7 November.[8] On 13 November, he was placed on unconditional waivers, with the Maple Leafs citing his absence from the Marlies as justification to terminate his contract.[9] He signed a one-year contract worth $1.1 million with the Vancouver Canucks on 15 November.[10] On 6 March 2026, Kämpf was traded to the Washington Capitals in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick.[11]

International play

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Medal record
Representing  Czech Republic
World Championships
Gold medal – first place2024 Czechia
Bronze medal – third place2022 Finland

Kämpf represented Czechia at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, where he played a key role throughout the tournament. His performance was instrumental in Czechia's impressive run, culminating in a gold medal victory on home ice, Czechia's first IIHF World Championship title since 2010.[12]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2010–11 KLH Chomutov CZE U18 91120
2011–12 Piráti Chomutov CZE U18 421729462 22022
2012–13 Piráti Chomutov CZE U18 141313268
2012–13 Piráti Chomutov CZE U20 24871516 30000
2012–13 Piráti Chomutov ELH 20000
2012–13 SK Kadaň Czech.1 60330 20000
2013–14 Piráti Chomutov CZE U20 8510156 11012
2013–14 Piráti Chomutov ELH 4512312
2013–14 SK Kadaň Czech.1 50222
2014–15 Piráti Chomutov CZE U20 30666
2014–15 Piráti Chomutov Czech.1 4411132416 112576
2015–16 Piráti Chomutov ELH 42941322 80110
2015–16 Piráti Chomutov CZE U20 12022
2016–17 Piráti Chomutov ELH 5215163116 1537106
2017–18 Rockford IceHogs AHL 337111814 131012
2017–18 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 46471112
2018–19 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 634151914
2019–20 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 7088168 91016
2020–21 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 561111220
2021–22 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 8211152620 72026
2022–23 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 82720278 110334
2023–24 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 788111918 71010
2024–25 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 59581314 10000
2025–26 Toronto Marlies AHL 40110
2025–26 Vancouver Canucks NHL 3824610
2025–26 Washington Capitals NHL 20002
ELH totals 14125224750 345131812
NHL totals 5765099149126 3543716

International

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Kämpf (64) attempting to win a faceoff against the Detroit Red Wings in 2018.
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2012 Czech Republic U17 8th 5 0 0 0 4
2012 Czech Republic IH18 4th 5 1 0 1 0
2013 Czech Republic U18 7th 5 2 2 4 6
2014 Czech Republic WJC 6th 5 1 1 2 4
2015 Czech Republic WJC 6th 5 0 2 2 0
2022 Czechia WC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 6 2 1 3 0
2024 Czechia WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 9 2 5 7 0
2026 Czechia OG 8th 5 1 2 3 0
Junior totals 25 4 5 9 14
Senior totals 20 5 8 13 0

References

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  1. "David Kämpf player profile". Hokej.cz. 14 March 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  2. "2012-13 Piráti Chomutov player statistics". Eliteprospects.com. 14 June 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  3. "New contract signed in Chomutov" (in Czech). Piráti Chomutov. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  4. "Blackhawks sign Czech forward David Kampf to entry-level deal". CSN Chicago. 1 May 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  5. "Blackhawks beat Jets behind Kampf's first goal". Sportsnet.ca. Chicago. Associated Press. 12 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  6. "Maple Leafs sign forward David Kampf". Toronto Maple Leafs. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  7. "Maple Leafs re-sign centre David Kampf to four-year contract". The Sports Network. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  8. 1 2 Hobson, Alex (7 November 2025). "Report: Maple Leafs suspend David Kampf without pay for refusing to report to AHL's Toronto Marlies". theleafsnation.com. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  9. 1 2 Johnston, Chris (13 November 2025). "Maple Leafs, David Kämpf agree to contract termination, making him a UFA, creating space for Toronto". The Athletic. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  10. "Canucks Agree to Terms with Forward David Kämpf on a One-Year Contract". The Athletic. 15 November 2025. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
  11. "Canucks deal David Kampf to Capitals for sixth-round pick". sportsnet.ca. 6 March 2026.
  12. "Czechs strike gold on home ice". IIHF.com. 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
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