Livescore
Earlier today, the Winnipeg Jets announced the signing of Niagara IceDogs’ captain Kevin He to a three-year entry-level contract that carries an annual value of $975,000.
With the signing, He became not only the newest member of the Winnipeg Jets but also the first Chinese-born player to sign an NHL contract.
Winnipeg selected He in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL draft, making the Beijing native the highest-drafted Chinese-born player in NHL history.
This season has been filled with individual success and team success for He. The IceDogs named He their captain after they traded Gavin Bryant away earlier in the season.
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In 29 games this season, He has scored 23 goals and added 20 assists for a total of 43 points. He currently sits 14th overall in OHL scoring.
If He continues scoring at his current pace he will finish the season with 52 goals, 46 assists and 98 points. That would set personal records in all categories for the Winnipeg prospect.
There is almost no doubt that He’s torrid pace to start the season is a nig reason why Winnipeg offered the 2006-born forward a contract.
The IceDogs currently sit third in the Eastern Conference and are tied in points with the conference-leading Barrie Colts.
Niagara team staff rave about He on and off the ice. According to them, his work ethic, mentality and skills are the standard they set for their young team.
They go as far as to say that for their team, He is the standard for what is required to be a successful OHL player. That’s certainly high praise for the young captain.
Considering the Jets drafted He in the fourth round, he could easily end up being one of the biggest steals of the draft considering his output and dominant performance to start the year.
Winnipeg is currently one of the strongest teams in the NHL having only lost ten games this season. Their current success comes after finished second in the Western Conference last season.
NHL fans will remember the drama created in the offseason when the Winnipeg Jets prospect traded disgruntled prospect Rutger McGroarty to Pittsburgh.
Despite McGroarty’s departure Winnipeg still has a good pool of prospects that includes Brayden Yager, Colby Barow Kieran Walton and Kevin He alongside many others.
While He still has a lot to do before he makes the NHL, the signing is a big step towards that future. He will continue to develop in Niagara this season alongside a team that, under his leadership, looks playoff-bound for the first time in years.
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