Jacob Trouba Leaves Michigan to Sign with Winnipeg Jets

Multiple sources, including ESPN's EJ Hradek, the Michigan Daily's Matt Slovin, and Michael Spath of The Wolverine are reporting that Michigan freshman defenseman Jacob Trouba will be leaving school after one season to sign with the Winnipeg Jets. That deal was confirmed by the Winnipeg Jets later Tuesday evening.

Trouba was the 9th overall pick in last summer's NHL Draft, and has done nothing but raise his stock since then. He was a bright spot--often the only bright spot--for Michigan this season. In 37 games, he tallied 12 goals, a ridiculous number for a freshman defenseman, and 17 assists to finish third on the Wolverines in scoring.

Trouba was also a huge standout at this year's World Juniors tournament, alongside this year's projected first overall pick in Seth Jones, in leading the United States to their third ever World Juniors gold medal.

He is Michigan's second early departure of the summer after losing Jon Merrill to the New Jersey Devils last week. It's hard to argue that Trouba wasn't ready for the next level after the way he dominated this year, but his departure leaves a pretty big hole on the Michigan blue line for next season.