Kampfer Named to 2022 Olympic Team

CORRECTION:  An earlier version of this story had an incorrect photo.  Steve Kampfer.  Photo courtesy Boston Bruins and NHL.

(January 13, 2022 9:42 PM) USA Hockey announced the final roster for its 2022 U.S. Olympic men’s ice hockey team today, a group that includes 15 current NCAA players, eight European pros and two players from the AHL.

The Olympic team will have a Jackson native as one of the players. 

Steven Kampfer is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently playing for Ak Bars Kazan in the Kontinental Hockey League. Kampfer was named to the Olympic team on Thursday. 

The squad will represent the United States at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games Feb. 3-20 in Beijing, China.

“We’re excited about the roster we’ve put together,” said John Vanbiesbrouck, general manager of the 2022 U.S. Olympic men’s ice hockey team and also the assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “The Olympics are the biggest stage in sports and it was fun to hear the enthusiasm our players have to represent their country. We’re fortunate to have a deep talent pool – thanks in part to all the great work of our volunteers in communities across the nation – and with the mix of players who are part of our team, we’re looking forward to competing for a gold medal in Beijing.”

A total of seven players will bring NHL experience to the team USA lineup, led by Nick Shore (Denver, Colo./Sibir/University of Denver), who has played 299 regular-season NHL games (18-41—59) and Kampfer (Ak Bars Kazan/University of Michigan) with 231 regular-season NHL contests played (15 goals-24 assists — 39 points).

Kampfer was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but grew up in Jackson, Michigan.

Kampfer attended Jackson High School for his freshman and sophomore years, then moved to Sioux City, IA to finish high school while playing with the Sioux City Musketeers in junior hockey.  Following high school, Kampfer returned to Michigan to play hockey for the University of Michigan, where he enjoyed success as a defenseman; in 147 games he scored 7 goals and had 53 assists. 

Following college, Kampfer was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.  In the pros, he skated for Boston, Minnesota, Florida and New York (Rangers).  Kampfer was the first player from Jackson to make it to the NHL.

Following his 11th professional season, Kampfer left the NHL as a free agent and signed his first contract abroad in agreeing to a one-year deal with Russian based Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL on July 5, 2021.

The NHL pulled its players from the Olympics due to COVID-19 concerns.