🏒 Breaking the Ice! 🏒
Kevin He just made hockey history, and we're all here for it! On Tuesday, the Winnipeg Jets inked a three-year entry-level contract with He, making him the first player born in China to sign with an NHL team. How cool is that? 🎉
Born in Beijing, this 18-year-old forward is skating his way into the record books. The Jets picked He in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Draft, making him the highest China-born player ever drafted in the NHL. Talk about leveling up! 🔥
But the journey wasn't overnight. When He was just six, his family packed up and moved to Montreal. That's where his love for organized hockey really took off. Fast forward to now, and He's tearing it up in his third season with the Niagara IceDogs in the Ontario Hockey League. 🐶
This season alone, He's racked up an impressive 43 points—scoring 23 goals and 20 assists in just 29 games. Oh, and did we mention he was named team captain in October? Captain He has a nice ring to it! 🏆
For some historical context, Song Andong was the first China-born player ever selected in the NHL when the New York Islanders drafted him in the sixth round back in 2015. However, Song never signed an entry-level contract. So, Kevin He is truly blazing a new trail! 🚀
We can't wait to see what Kevin He brings to the ice in the big leagues. Keep your eyes peeled, hockey fans—history is in the making! 👀
Reference(s):
Kevin He becomes first player born in China to sign with NHL team
cgtn.com
