Kevin He

Kevin He
Born (2006-04-30) April 30, 2006 (age 18)
Beijing, China
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 181 lb (82 kg; 12 st 13 lb)
Position Left Wing
Shoots Left
NHL team (P)
Cur. team		 Winnipeg Jets
Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
NHL draft 109th overall, 2024
Winnipeg Jets

Kevin Hongtian He (born April 30, 2006) is a Canadian ice hockey left wing for the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL) selected He in the fourth round, with the 109th overall pick, of the 2024 NHL entry draft. In 2024, He became the first Chinese-born ice hockey player to sign an NHL contract.

Early life

He was born in Beijing, China.[1] His father Jason had become interested in ice hockey while attending college in New Brunswick and took He rollerblading and ice skating as a child.[2] He began playing organized ice hockey at the age of six, when his family moved to Montreal.[3] He played minor ice hockey for a variety of teams across Montreal and Toronto before joining the North York Rangers of the Greater Toronto Hockey League.[4] During the 2021–22 season with North York's Under-16 AAA team, He had 13 goals and 25 points in 16 games.[3]

Playing career

The Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) selected He in the second round, with the 25th overall pick, of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection,[5] and he signed with the team that May.[6] He's first junior ice hockey goal came on October 1, during the IceDogs' 3–2 victory over the Flint Firebirds.[7] In his rookie OHL season, He had 34 points in 66 games,[8] and his 21 goals tied Akil Thomas for the most by an IceDog in their 16-year-old season.[9] During the 2023–24 season, He served as one of six alternate captains for the IceDogs.[10] In 64 games that season, He recorded 53 points, including a team-leading 31 goals, and was the IceDogs' nominee for the Red Tilson Trophy.[11]

The Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL) selected He in the fourth round, 109th overall, of the 2024 NHL entry draft. He was only the second Chinese-born player drafted in the NHL, behind Andong Song, who the New York Islanders took in the sixth round of the 2015 NHL entry draft.[12] On December 17, 2024, the Jets signed He to a three-year, entry-level contract,[13] making him the first Chinese-born player to sign in the NHL.[14]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2022–23 Niagara IceDogs OHL 66 21 13 34 31 — — — — —
2023–24 Niagara IceDogs OHL 64 31 22 53 66 — — — — —
OHL totals 130 52 35 87 97 — — — — —

References

  1. ^ "Kevin He – Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  2. ^ Douglas, William (March 18, 2024). "Color of Hockey: He could be highest China-born player taken in NHL Draft". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "He makes NHL history, signs entry-level contract with Jets". National Hockey League. December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  4. ^ Mori, Brendan (May 21, 2024). "Q & A with Kevin He". Greater Toronto Hockey League. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  5. ^ "IceDogs Add 2 After Day 1 of 2022 OHL Draft". Canadian Hockey League. Niagara IceDogs. April 29, 2022. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  6. ^ "Niagara IceDogs Sign Kevin He". Canadian Hockey League. Niagara IceDogs. May 25, 2022. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  7. ^ "Dogs Fight Back for a Win in Flint". Canadian Hockey League. Niagara IceDogs. October 1, 2022. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  8. ^ "Kevin He Named To NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Watch List". Canadian Hockey League. Niagara IceDogs. October 25, 2023. Archived from the original on June 23, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  9. ^ Franke, Bernd (May 11, 2023). "Niagara IceDogs host orientation camp". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  10. ^ "IceDogs Announce 2023–2024 Leadership Group". Canadian Hockey League. September 28, 2023. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  11. ^ "Kevin He Nominated for Red Tilson Trophy". Canadian Hockey League. Niagara IceDogs. April 2, 2024. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  12. ^ Myers, Tracey (June 29, 2024). "He makes history at 2024 NHL Draft as 2nd China-born player selected". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  13. ^ "Jets sign Kevin He to 3-year, entry level deal". National Hockey League. Winnipeg Jets. December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  14. ^ Friesen, Paul (December 17, 2024). "From Beijing to ka-ching: Winnipeg Jets' Kevin He makes history". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved December 17, 2024.