On Monday, Washington Capitals defenseman Michal Kempny spoke to the media following today’s practice after being recalled from the AHL’s Hershey Bears earlier in the day. He discussed his success in Hershey this season and getting his confidence back after two major injuries the last few seasons.

The Capitals placed him on waivers on October 9, but he cleared the following day and reported to the AHL. “It’s been really great down there,” he said about his time in Hershey.

Kempny has recorded seven assists in 24 games with the Bears this season. He’s been paired with Bobby Nardella for some time now, whom he called a “really talented kid.”

“My mindset has been [the] same all the time…I’m trying to work every day…trying to work my way back…I’m not stressing out—It was what it was or it is what it is,” Kempny said.

He called the Hershey organization a “really good group” and has enjoyed playing with them. “It really helped me a lot to build my confidence back up.”

During training camp in September, Kempny told the media that his leg “wasn’t in the right balance” following two major surgeries after tearing his hamstring in 2019 and breaking his Achilles tendon last year. “I’ve worked really hard this offseason to get my left leg right and balanced…to be able to compete at the highest level,” he said.

Since playing four Capitals preseason games in September, Kempny feels he is “getting there” in terms of playing at his best. “From the start when I started to play, everything kind of felt too fast for me…right now, I kind of feel like the game slowed down for me.”

By Della Young