Winnipeg Jets Sign Beijing Native Kevin He to Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract

Winnipeg makes history with the signing of Kevin He, the first Chinese-born player to land an NHL contract.

The Winnipeg Jets achieved a milestone with their newest signing. Winnipeg announced Tuesday that they have signed forward Kevin He to a three-year, entry-level deal, marking him as the first player born in China to secure an NHL contract.

The agreement has an average yearly worth of $975,000 in the NHL. At 18, he has made an impressive beginning to the season as captain of the Niagara IceDogs in the OHL. He has scored 23 goals and provided 20 assists in 29 matches, contributing to a record of 20-9-1-1, placing them third in the Eastern Conference.

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

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He is in his third season with the IceDogs, having recorded 75 goals and 55 assists across 159 games. Born in Beijing, he relocated with his family to Canada at six, initially settling in Montreal before moving to Toronto at 12 and playing for the North York Rangers AAA program in the GTHL.

He was chosen in the fourth round (109th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft and became only the second Chinese-born player drafted to the NHL, following Andong Song, who the New York Islanders picked in the 2015 Draft.

Kevin He

NHL

Winnipeg Jets

Anamika Shrivastava

nhl

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