Kevin He becomes first Chinese-born player to sign NHL contract
Chinese-born Forward Kevin He Signs NHL Contract with Winnipeg Jets
In a historic moment for the NHL, forward Kevin He has made headlines by becoming the first Chinese-born player to sign an NHL contract. The Winnipeg Jets announced the three-year, entry-level deal on Tuesday, with an annual average value of US$975,000.
Born in Beijing, He moved to Canada with his family at the age of six. He was drafted in the fourth round (109th overall) of the 2024 NHL draft, solidifying his path to the professional league.
While defenceman Andong Song was previously drafted by the New York Islanders in 2015, He is the first Chinese-born player to officially sign an NHL contract, marking a significant milestone for representation in the sport.
Currently playing his third season with the Ontario Hockey League’s Niagara IceDogs, He was recently appointed team captain on Oct. 22. His performance on the ice has been impressive, with 23 goals and 20 assists this season and a total of 130 points (75 goals, 55 assists) in 159 career OHL games.
