Red Wings sign J.T. Compher to five-year contract

DETROIT -The Detroit Red Wings today signed left wing J.T. Compher to a five-year contract with an average annual value of $5.1 million.

Compher, 28, spent the 2022-23 season with the Colorado Avalanche and ranked among the team leaders with 17 goals (T4th), 35 assists (5th), 52 points (4th), a plus-eight rating (T9th), 33 penalty minutes (7th), five power play goals (T6th), 14 power play points (6th), three game-winning goals (T4th) and 154 shots (7th) in 82 games. The 6-foot, 190-pound forward also recorded two points (1-1-2) in seven postseason contests. Compher logged 33 points (18-15-33), a plus-six rating and 25 penalty minutes in 70 games with the Avalanche during the 2021-22 campaign, in addition to eight points (5-3-8) and 10 penalty minutes in 20 playoff games to help the franchise win a Stanley Cup championship. Originally selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round (35th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Compher has tallied 194 points (88-106-194) and 150 penalty minutes in 423 regular-season games with the Avalanche since 2016-17, along with 29 points (14-15-29) and 20 penalty minutes in 70 playoff matchups. Compher also had 30 points (13-17-30) and 22 penalty minutes in 41 games with the American Hockey League's San Antonio Rampage in 2016-17.

Prior to turning professional, Compher played three seasons at the University of Michigan from 2013-16, serving as team captain during his junior year. He helped the Wolverines capture a Big Ten Conference title in 2015-16 and was an All-Big Ten First Team selection after racking up 63 points (16-47-63), a plus-35 rating and 28 penalty minutes in 38 games. Compher was the inaugural Big Ten Rookie of the Year in 2013-14 after logging 31 points (11-20-31), a plus-13 rating and 22 penalty minutes in 35 contests. In all, Compher accumulated 118 points (39-79-118), a plus-45 rating and 90 penalty minutes in 107 games with the Wolverines. The Northbrook, Ill., native skated with the U.S. National Team Development Program from 2011-13. On the international stage, Compher represented Team USA at back-to-back IIHF World Championships in 2016 and 2017, totaling five points (3-2-5) in 18 games. He also played in five games at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship. Compher previously earned a silver medal at the 2013 IIHF World Under-18 Championship and a gold medal at the 2012 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.

JT Compher, Left Wing

Born Apr 8 1995 -- Northbrook, IL

Height 6.00 -- Weight 190 -- Shoots R

Selected by Buffalo Sabres round 2 #35 overall 2013 NHL Entry Draft