The Winnipeg Jets continue to make history in the 2024-2025 NHL season. After jumping out to a 15-1 record-setting start, the Jets have made another momentous move. The team signed Kevin He, the first Chinese-born player ever, to an entry-level NHL contract.
HISTORY. MADE. 🗣️
The #NHLJets have signed forward Kevin He to a three-year, entry-level contract! Becoming the first Chinese-born player to sign a contract in the @NHL ✍️ pic.twitter.com/AX68TGm338
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) December 17, 2024
The 18-year-old Beijing native was the fourth-round pick (109th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft. His family moved to Canada when he was six years old. Kevin He has played three seasons with the Ontario Hockey League’s Niagara IceDogs scoring 75 goals and 55 assists. He is having his best statistical season with the IceDogs and serves as the team’s captain.
He is just the second Chinese-born player drafted by an NHL team following Andong Song selected by the New York Islanders as the 172nd overall pick in the sixth round of the 2015 NHL Draft.
Kevin He’s Winnipeg Jets Contract
He signed a three-year entry-level contract valued at approximately $975,000 US dollars. As early as next fall, He could compete for a roster spot.
Wes Consorti, Niagara IceDogs GM, described He as “born to be a hockey player.”
He is honored but knows that the hard work is just beginning. He said: “This is just the start of the journey. I have a lot more work to do. I don’t try to put too much pressure on myself. Just stay in the moment and take it day by day.”
His love of hockey came from his father Jason who said: “I wanted them to play hockey. That’s my passion. The best place to play hockey is in Canada, so we moved to Canada.”
