Compher Signs Entry-Level Contract with NHL's Colorado Avalanche
4/25/2016 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
JT Compher
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan junior forward JT Compher has signed an entry-level contract with the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, the club announced today (Monday, April 25).
"Thank you to the coaching staff, all the Michigan fans and especially my teammates for making my three years at Michigan the best years of my hockey life," Compher said. "The atmosphere at Yost combined with the entire community made for a very special three years and made this a very difficult decision for me."
Compher, who was Michigan's 2015-16 team captain, enjoyed his best season at U-M with 63 points (16 goals, 47 assists) in 38 games. A second team AHCA All-American and All-Big Ten first team selection, Compher led the nation in assists and was second in points scored (behind teammate Kyle Connor). His assist total (47) was the most by a player at Michigan since Brendan Morrison set the school record with 57 assists in 1996-97. Compher finished the season with points in 26 of his last 27 games, including point streaks of 18 and eight games. He led the team (along with Connor) with 19 multiple-point games on the season.
The Northbrook, Illinois, native was the center of Michigan's vaunted 'CCM Line' with Connor and Tyler Motte. The line was united for the first time on Dec. 4 against Wisconsin. In 27 games playing together the trio accounted for more than half of Michigan's 136 goals (70 goals, 51.5%) and were a combined +89 in that span. Compher was a top 10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award along with Connor and Motte this season, marking third time in the 35-year history of the award that one school has placed three players among the top 10 finalists. Compher will join Connor and Motte on Team USA at the 2016 IIHF Men's World Championship, which will be held May 6-22 in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia.
"I fully intend to finish my degree as I came to Michigan for academics and will work towards it in the next few years," Compher said. "But overall it's an exciting day for me and my family, and I want to thank my teammates again for their support through this entire process."
Compher leaves Michigan with 118 career points (39 goals, 79 assists), becoming the first junior to hit 100 points at U-M since Carl Hagelin (2010). An impact player from the start of his Michigan career, Compher earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year and All-Big Ten second team honors in 2013-14 after notching 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in his first season of college hockey. Off the ice, Compher was instrumental in promoting the team's 'Grow Blue' initiative to raise awareness for men's health issues and was an Academic All-Big Ten selection in 2015.
