Connor signs with Jets after one season with Michigan
By @MichaelCaples –
When you match Jack Eichel’s scoring marks, your NHL team will come calling.
That’s what happened with Kyle Connor, who has signed with the Winnipeg Jets after one season with the Michigan Wolverines.
“Playing at Michigan was the most fun year of hockey in my life, and I think that I really benefited from all of the coaching here,” Connor said in a release from the Wolverines. “I want to think everyone that works hard in the program behind the scenes as well. It was truly a dream come true to play at Michigan and an experience I’ll never forget.”
Connor was the Jets’ first-round pick, 17th overall, in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Excited to sign my first NHL contract. Looking forward to the next chapter of my hockey career #WinnipegJets pic.twitter.com/5IzEnI5mUw
— Kyle Connor (@KyleConnor18) April 11, 2016
The 19-year-old forward posted 35 goals and 36 assists for 71 points in 38 NCAA games as a freshman. The goal and point totals both lead the nation, and Connor was one of the Hobey Baker Award finalists during the Frozen Four weekend in Tampa.
The Shelby Township native finished with an impressive plus-34 rating on the season, as well.
Last year, Connor was named the USHL player of the year and USA Hockey’s junior player of the year after recording 80 points in 56 games with the Youngstown Phantoms.