It will be no World Championship for me. The reason I'm saying no is due to family reasons and that I've had a bit of trouble with my body, so I need to rest, he says to the newspaper.
Last winter, he got a daughter with his Canadian wife Sian Nickson.
The 28-year-old forward just ended his NHL season when his Los Angeles Kings were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs against Edmonton Oilers. Kempe has had a strong season and is at the top of the playoff scoring league.
Victor Hedman will also miss the tournament. The Lightning's back star has played the playoffs with a broken bone in his foot and now it's clear that the injury will keep him from World Championship play.
It feels bitter, of course, he says to Expressen.
