When Jonas Kemps decided to leave the U.S. National Team Development Program, the Chicago Steel were quick to place a waiver claim on him.
Even though he hadn’t yet spoken directly with the Steel, due to still being under an agreement with the NTDP, the wheels were already in motion for the young blueliner to call Fox Valley Ice Arena home for the 2025-26 season.
Kemps’ first interaction with the Chicago Steel’s staff came over a Zoom call. On the call were head coach Scott Gomez, assistant coach Matt Mottau, associate head coach Tyler Haskins, and assistant GM Bobby Goepfert.
For Kemps, the call wasn’t a high-pressure recruitment pitch. It was a conversation that felt natural and genuine and one that he could speak freely. He already had some familiarity with the organization, having skated with the Steel before joining the NTDP, and the vibe he got from the coaching staff only solidified his decision.
“I felt an instant click with the coaches,” Kemps told PuckPreps. “I really like Coach Gomez and Coach [Mottau]. I like what they stand for and obviously their resumes speak for themselves. The organization has just proven time and time again they can be a top-tier place to play.”
The Steel made no promises about ice time or role, which aligned perfectly with Kemps’ mentality that everything must be earned through performance and effort.
As for what he brings to Chicago, the Sebastopol, California native is a mobile, two-way defenseman who prides himself on playing a complete game. He knows that his 6-foot-6, 200-pound frame gives him an edge physically, but he’s also keenly aware of the challenges that come with it.
“Being a bigger guy, being able to skate is really hard,” he said. “I wouldn’t say that it’s overlooked in my game, but it definitely takes more work. I definitely have to put a lot more into skating to be able to skate at a level that we play at.”
After a challenging season with the NTDP U17 team, where he recorded four points (all assists) in limited action, Kemps approaches this new opportunity with a renewed sense of purpose and added motivation to prove himself at a higher level.
Added, Kemps’ offensive upside is not in question.
Before his time with the Program, he lit up the scoreboard for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks 15U team in 2023–24, posting 14 goals and 25 assists for 39 points. That kind of production is rare for a defenseman his size and suggests the Steel may be getting more than just a shutdown blueliner.
He believes the Steel’s experienced coaching staff can help unlock that next level.
“A big part of the offensive game is being able to shut plays down defensively and transition well, which is something that I haven't been good enough at” he said. “That’s going to be a big part of our focus for next year.”
Kemps has already settled into life in Chicago, spending more than a month preparing for the upcoming season. He trains daily at GVN Performance and skates with Prodigy Hockey at Johnny’s Icehouse, alongside a few close friends to keep the pace competitive.
While he is still getting to know his new teammates, he does have a connection in Teddy Mutryn, the older brother of his former NTDP teammate Casey Mutryn. That familiarity, along with the strong rapport he has built with the Steel’s coaching staff, will undoubtedly help smooth his transition into this new chapter of his hockey career.
Although he is currently set to play with the team through only the 2025–26 season, there is a chance he remains for a second year before moving on to Michigan State. If that happens, Kemps would take part in the Steel’s final season at Fox Valley Ice Arena before the club relocates to its new home at Fifth Third Arena, the Chicago Blackhawks’ practice facility.
The upgraded venue has already been a valuable recruiting tool for attracting top talent both on the ice and behind the bench. However, it isn’t what drew Kemps to Chicago. He didn’t come for the glitz or the fancy facilities. He came here to develop.
“I just want to prove that I can stay healthy, play a full season, and show that I can play at this level,” he said.
While his path has taken an unexpected detour, Kemps' hockey journey figures to have the all makings of a story littered with resilience, self-awareness, and determination. If his mindset is any indication, the young defenseman is ready to make a statement this season, and Chicago just might be the perfect place for him to do it.