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JT Compher Signs with Colorado Avalanche

By Chris Dilks
Bill Rapai

Michigan junior forward and Hobey Baker finalist JT Compher has signed an entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche, the club reported today:

Compher was a second round draft choice, 35th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in 2013 and had his rights traded to Colorado in a blockbuster Draft day trade last summer involving Ryan O'Reilly and NIkita Zadorov.

After scoring a combined 55 points in his first two years at Michigan, Compher had a breakout offensive season as a junior as part of Michigan's 'CCM' line with Kyle Connor and Tyler Motte, scoring 61 points. We ranked Compher as the 23rd-best NHL prospect n the NCAA this past season:

After a sophomore season in which he struggled to generate consistent offense, Compher had a breakout season as a junior playing on a line with Kyle Connor and Tyler Motte, scoring 63 points and being named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. Compher has always been a solid two-way centerman known for his vicious competitive streak. This past season, he showed excellent abilities as a passer, leading the nation with 47 assists and helping both his linemates reach 30 goals on the season. Compher would have no difficulty filling a bottom six center role at the NHL level, but his success this season showed that he could also play more of a scoring role at the pro level.

Compher is the fifth Michigan player to sign an NHL contract early this offseason, joining Connor, Motte, and defensemen Zach Werenski and Michael Downing.