Chinese-born Kevin He signed to NHL

Hockey prospect Kevin He’s historic deal with NHL outfit the Winnipeg Jets is expected to inject fresh life into the sport’s waning Olympics-inspired boom in China, as the North American league keeps tapping into the Asian market.

Winnipeg Jets’ Kevin He (R) and Edmonton Oilers’ William Nicholl battle for the puck during the second period of a NHL preseason hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, in this Sept. 22 file photo. SD-Agencies

He, 18, became the first hockey player born in China to sign an NHL contract, inking a three-year, entry-level deal with the Winnipeg Jets worth US$975,000 per season at the NHL level, the Canadian hockey team announced Wednesday.

Almost a decade before, Beijing-born Song Andong became the first Chinese player drafted by the NHL, the world’s premier hockey league. However, Song, selected by the New York Islanders as the overall 172nd pick in 2015, never signed a deal, nor had any opportunities to represent the Islanders in any official NHL games.

Also born in Beijing, He, a forward, already made his name known to hockey pundits this summer, when the Jets picked him in the fourth round at No. 109 in the 2024 NHL Draft, making him the highest selection for a Chinese-born player.

Currently captaining the Niagara IceDogs in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), He’s not expected to immediately join the Jets on its 2024-25 regular season roster and is allowed to take an extended year to continue honing his game in the OHL before joining the NHL next season.

“Growing up in China, it means a lot to me and my family (to be drafted into the NHL),” He said in June after the draft. “It’s incredible, a huge honor. I had a lot of fans texting me right before the draft, wishing me good luck and showing me support.”

Born in downtown Beijing, He first tried his hand at skating on a small rink in a shopping mall near his home when he was 4 years old, influenced by his father, who used to be a speed skater. He got his first taste of organized hockey games after his family moved to Montreal when he was 6.

When He was 12, his family moved to Toronto and he began playing elite-level junior hockey with the Rangers, where he ended up with 25 points (13G, 12A) in 16 games in the U16 AAA division before joining the IceDogs.

Speed and agility are among He’s strengths, while he needs to improve his “defensive responsibilities and one-dimensional game” to meet the higher-intensity of the NHL, according to his draft projection.