David Kampf is taking his sticks, gear — and millions of dollars — and going home.
The former Toronto Maple Leafs centre is headed back to his home country of Czechia after signing on to play with Litvinov.
Kampf played four seasons with the Maple Leafs, capably filling the role as the team’s fourth-line centre before becoming a healthy scratch during the playoffs in 2025, after the club had acquired Scott Laughton at the trade deadline.
His contract ($9.6 million over four years) became a point of contention amongst Leaf Nation, with many feeling that his AAV of $2.4 million could’ve been better allocated elsewhere in the lineup.
While Kampf made $12.75 million US through his nine-year NHL career, he said that he felt it like it was time to return to his home country and that he was no longer “enjoying” playing hockey.
What did Kampf say about leaving the NHL?
“I‘ve been thinking about returning to the Czech Republic for a long time, it was nine demanding years overseas. I felt that the time had come to return home and find a team near where I live,” Kampf told the team’s website, as translated from his native language.
“Chomutov plays in the first league, so I decided on Litvínov, which I’ve had a relationship with since childhood, when I went to games there.
“In the NHL, it’s been more of a job for me in recent years, I didn’t really enjoy hockey. I’m looking forward to getting more space here, gaining new momentum and having fun with hockey again.
Kampf added that getting the opportunity to play alongside the brothers David and Ondrej Kase, his friends “since childhood” was another reason for returning to Czechia.
Jiri Slegr, a retired NHL defence who now serves as the chairman on the club’s board of directors, said that adding Kampf is a “huge boost” for Litvínov and the entire league.
“This is a huge boost for us and great news not only for Litvínov, but for the entire Extraliga,” he told the team’s website. “Acquiring a player of David’s stature, who is coming from the NHL in his prime, is extremely valuable for us.
“David is a complex forward, leader and professional who will immediately raise the quality of our team to a completely different level. We are thrilled that he has decided to link his future with us.”
How was Kampf’s NHL career?
Through his nine-year stay in the NHL, Kampf was mainly used as a bottom-six forward. He played four seasons each with the Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks — who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2017.
Kampf also played for the Vancouver Canucks and Capitals, and recently was part of the sign-and-trade, along with a third-round pick, that sent Alex Tuch from Buffalo to Washington.
Through 576 career games, Kampf recorded 50 goals and 99 assists for 149 points.