Nick Kempf has already been selected in the NHL Draft before he's even played a game at Notre Dame.
The Washington Capitals picked ND's incoming freshman goaltender in the fourth round of the NHL Draft on Saturday with overall selection No. 114.
Kempf, a product of Morton Grove, Ill., spent the last two seasons playing for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program with the U17 and U18 teams. He played in 67 games with a 38-18 record, a 3.47 goals against average and .883 save percentage with five shutouts in those two seasons.
Kempf became the 98th NHL Draft pick in Notre Dame program history. Six of Kempf's Irish teammates have previously been selected in the draft: Blake Biondi (Montreal Canadiens in 2020), Justin Janicke (Seattle Kraken in 2021), Brennan Ali (Detroit Red Wings in 2022), Paul Fischer (St. Louis Blues in 2023), Cole Knuble (Philadelphia Flyers in 2023) and Danny Nelson (New York Islanders in 2023).
NHL organizations retain the rights of NCAA players for four years upon being drafted.
Photo credit: David Reginek-USA Today Sports
Pictured: Nick Kempf makes a blocker save against Finland during the 2024 U18s Five Nations Tournament
The Washington Capitals picked ND's incoming freshman goaltender in the fourth round of the NHL Draft on Saturday with overall selection No. 114.
Kempf, a product of Morton Grove, Ill., spent the last two seasons playing for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program with the U17 and U18 teams. He played in 67 games with a 38-18 record, a 3.47 goals against average and .883 save percentage with five shutouts in those two seasons.
Kempf became the 98th NHL Draft pick in Notre Dame program history. Six of Kempf's Irish teammates have previously been selected in the draft: Blake Biondi (Montreal Canadiens in 2020), Justin Janicke (Seattle Kraken in 2021), Brennan Ali (Detroit Red Wings in 2022), Paul Fischer (St. Louis Blues in 2023), Cole Knuble (Philadelphia Flyers in 2023) and Danny Nelson (New York Islanders in 2023).
NHL organizations retain the rights of NCAA players for four years upon being drafted.
Photo credit: David Reginek-USA Today Sports
Pictured: Nick Kempf makes a blocker save against Finland during the 2024 U18s Five Nations Tournament
