J.T. Compher signs entry level contract with Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche signed center JT Compher to an entry-level contract on Monday.

Compher’s draft rights were originally acquired by the Avalanche from the Buffalo Sabres in the Ryan O’Reilly deal last offseason and is considered one of Colorado’s top prospects. He scored 63 points (16g, 47a) in 38 games played at the University of Michigan in 2015-16′ serving as the Wolverines Captain.

Compher’s signing is considered a coup of sorts by the organization as he was the final high-profile player from a talented Wolverines team to make the long-awaited decision on his pro hockey future. When asked about him at his final press conference of the season, Avalanche GM Joe Sakic said Compher would play for USA at the upcoming World Championships and then go from there. Whatever changed between now and then obviously worked in the Avs’ favor as Compher’s decision to forego his senior season means there will be no repeat of the Jimmy Vesey situation in Denver next year.

The next step in this situation is to see how Compher competes for a spot on the NHL roster this September. He is expected to make a serious push to make the NHL right away and skip playing for the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL entirely.