According to multiple European sources, the Flyers are interested in Swedish right-winger Mario Kempe and have presented him with a contract.
“When my agent, Claes Elefalk, told me that, I was happy,” 21-year-old Kempe told the Swedish media last week. “I’m ready to attract the NHL, that’s every hockey player’s dream. Now, I have not seen their (Philly’s) contract proposal itself, but I’ll get in touch with Claes and discuss it further.”
Kempe’s decision on re-inking with the Flyers could come within in the next week and could very well rely on the Flyers’ willingness to consider him for some time with the big club or big minutes with the Phantoms. He has also fielded an offer from his home-town team Modo of the Elitserien.
The Flyers mysteriously lost their grasp on their highly liked 2007 fifth round pick prior to the 2009-10 season, when Kempe opted to play for Rogle BK of the SEL instead of in the AHL. However, Rogle’s poor 2009-10 campaign saw it relegated out of the SEL and Kempe found himself back on the market.
Prior to turning professional, the Swedish speedster played two seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the St. John’s Fog Devils, before being called up to the Philadelphia Phantoms for five games at the end of the 2008-09 season. Kempe opened the eyes of the Flyers’ brass during the team’s 2007-08 and 2008-09 prospect camps with his speed, ability to crash the net and hit the forecheck with reckless abandon. Those attributes could be highlighted under Flyers’ coach Peter Laviolette’s high-tempo system.
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