Prospect Kevin He may not be a household name to Winnipeg Jets fans just yet but they should keep that name in mind. He has the potential to play a big role for the Jets in the near future and could make his NHL debut this season.
Kevin He's rise from OHL standout to NHL prospect
Drafted by the Jets in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Draft, the 6-foot-0 and 181-pound native of Beijing, China, became the second-highest Chinese-born player ever to be drafted in the NHL. By doing so, He also became the first Chinese-born player to sign an NHL deal, a 3-year, entry-level deal worth $2.895 million.
Before getting drafted, He made a name for himself by dominating the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Starting with the Niagara IceDogs, he was soon traded to the Flint Firebirds in a blockbuster deal. The deal sent He, Darcy Dewatcher, and two draft picks (2029 second-round and a 2026 fourth-round) to the Firebirds. In exchange, Niagara received Chase Hull and seven draft picks (two 2026 second-round, three 2027-2029 third-round, 2028 fourth-round, and 2027 sixth-round).
With Niagara, he posted 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 points. With Flint, He took off, scoring 36 goals and 21 assists for 46 points in 32 games.
Opportunity could be opening for Kevin He
He has come close to NHL action recently. He took part in preseason action on September 21, 2025 on a line with Danny Zhilkin and Samuel Fagemo, and contributed one assist. He did not look out of place.
As a player with NHL speed and a tremendous work ethic, he has star potential written all over him. While He will primarily start in the bottom-six, He does have second-line forward potential when he makes the NHL full-time.
He has nothing left to prove in the OHL as he wants to show he is a player that can excel at the next level. He is getting that chance as the Jets have reassigned him to the Manitoba Moose, American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Jets.
This move is to get him adjusted to pro-level hockey and get him in professional games. he is currently playing with Manitoba as they are now playing against the Grand Rapids Griffins in round two of the Calder Cup playoffs. The Moose are down three games to one after beating the Milwaukee Admirals in round one two games to one.
He may have an advantage with a strong playoff series with the Moose and a strong training camp with Winnipeg. The Jets have four players who may not be back in the lineup for next season. Forwards Cole Perfetti and Isak Rosen are restricted free agents (RFA), while Jonathan Toews and Gustav Nyquist are unrestricted free agents (UFA).
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