Michal Kempny is participating in the Olympics for the first time in his career.
Friday, the 35-year-old defenseman walked with Czechia in the Games’ Opening Ceremony held at Milan’s San Siro Stadium.
Kempny, a member of the Washington Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup championship team, is one of three former Caps on the Czech roster, joining fellow rearguards Radko Gudas and Tomas Kundratek.
Kempny posted several videos to his Instagram Story of the athletes’ picturesque jaunt around the stadium, which featured the Olympic rings hanging above. Kundratek was beside him in one of the videos.
Czechia was led around the stadium by their flag bearers, Boston Bruins superstar David Pastrnak, and biathlete Lucie Charvátová.
Pastrnak took a selfie with all of the athletes behind him before they were introduced to the crowd. Kempny can be seen standing to the top left, near the very back of the group.
While most international players made it on time for the Opening Ceremony, many NHL players missed the event and arrived on Sunday. Notable players to arrive on time and participate included Leon Draisaitl (Germany) and Nino Niederreiter (Switzerland), who were flag bearers for their country. Other players to march included Charlie McAvoy, Zach Werenski, Jake Oettinger, Jeremy Swayman, Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, and Jonas Siegenthaler.
Before heading to Milan, Kempny was playing in the Swedish Hockey League with Brynäs IF, after signing a one-year contract with the team over the summer. The deal allowed Kempny to reunite with former Capitals Nicklas Backstrom, Axel Jonsson-Fjällby, and Christian Djoos on the club. He has 13 points (6g, 7a) in 31 games played this season.
During parts of four seasons in Washington, Kempny posted 48 points (12g, 36a) in 166 games.
