Jets make ‘hungry’ He first China-born player to sign in NHL

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This article was published 17/12/2024 (278 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Kevin He described it as “every kid’s dream.”

Thing is, not a single young hockey player from China had ever proceeded past wishful thinking and signed an NHL contract — until Tuesday, that is, when He made history by inking a three-year entry-level deal with the Winnipeg Jets.

“It’s a huge honour for me and my family,” the 18-year-old told the Free Press in a telephone interview. “A really big day.”

The Jets drafted the Beijing-born He in the fourth-round, 109th-overall, last summer, and he has been turning heads ever since. He stood out at Jets development camp and the Young Stars tournament, then really impressed at main camp, not looking at all out of place on the same sheet of ice with established stars.

“Kevin was born to be a hockey player,” said Wes Consorti, general manager of the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League, where He currently is the captain.

“This further cements that. There’s a lot of layers to this. It’s a culmination of a lot of things in Kevin’s life. Where he’s coming from. What he’s had to go through.”

He is in his third OHL season and off to a sensational start with 43 points (23G, 20A) through his first 29 games. He is on pace to obliterate his career high of 53 points (31G, 22A) in 64 games last year.

“He’s always been hungry, but when he came back from Jets camp something changed in him,” said Consorti. “He finally had his epiphany. It was like, ‘I got a taste of something and I want some more, and now I know what I need to do.’ That was an immediate reaction from everyone in Niagara.”

He could compete for a roster spot with Winnipeg as early as next fall, although he will still have two more years of junior eligibility left. Under terms of his deal, he would make an average salary of US$975,000 in the NHL.

“This is just the start of the journey. I have a lot more work to do,” said He. “I don’t try to put too much pressure on myself. Just stay in the moment and take it day by day.”

There should be no concerns he’s willing to do what it takes, considering the tireless work ethic and non-stop motor that is apparent every time he hits the ice. Consorti said everything about He is inspiring to those around him, which made him a logical choice to take over as captain this season.

“I always tell people to follow him around for a week to see what he’s all about,” said Consorti.

“When Kevin first came to Niagara he just put the work in. He was very professional on and off the ice and people took notice of that. There’s a lot of high-quality people involved, and it’s also a huge credit to the coaching staff. They’ve done a fabulous job getting him into a position to sign an NHL contract.”

The modest He was quick to dish out the assists — everyone from his family and friends to teammates, training staff and billet families for helping him get to this stage.

“I came back (from Jets camp) with a lot of confidence. And I learned a lot from my time over there, just to try to bring that with me to my every day,” said He.

“I think having more experience really helps. It’s also just how tight we are as a team, how everyone sticks up for each other. It’s been huge for my development.”

He clearly worked his way on to the Jets radar prior to last summer’s draft in Vegas, considering they traded up to get him by shipping the 123rd and 219th picks to Buffalo in exchange for the 109th selection.

“We just felt we had to be decisive there,” general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said at the time. We didn’t think he was going to be around that much longer, so we just worked the phones to try and find somebody that we could partner up with to make that pick.”

That gamble appears to be paying off.

He, who stands six feet tall and weighs 180 pounds, was actually the second Chinese-born player to ever be drafted after Andong Song was picked by the New York Islanders in the sixth round (172nd overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft. Song never signed a contract.

The IceDogs are currently 20-9-2 and among the top OHL clubs under He’s leadership and production.

“(Being named captain) was a huge honour for me. But whether there was a letter or not, it was just about sticking to my values and my character,” said He.

“I just wanted to be there for the guys, and to help lead the younger ones like was done for me.”

Spoken like a bright young man who is wise beyond his years and appears to have a promising future, one that likely will include “trailblazer” on his resumé.

“His leadership qualities have skyrocketed,” said Consorti, adding He’s success has been “amazing” for the IceDogs organization.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg