J. T. Compher

Joseph Taylor Compher (born April 8, 1995) is an American professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played college ice hockey and was captain for the Michigan Wolverines of the Big Ten Conference. Compher was originally drafted in the second round, 35th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

J. T. Compher
Compher with the Avalanche in 2020
Born (1995-04-08) April 8, 1995
Northbrook, Illinois, U.S.
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 192 lb (87 kg; 13 st 10 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Right
NHL team Colorado Avalanche
National team  United States
NHL Draft 35th overall, 2013
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 2016–present

Playing career

Amateur

Compher trained with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program team from 2011 to 2013.[1]

During his rookie season, he led the team, and all Big Ten freshman in scoring, recording 11 goals and 20 assists. Following an outstanding rookie season with the University of Michigan, Compher was selected as the inaugural Big Ten 2013–14 Freshman of the Year. He was also named to both the 2013–14 Big Ten All-Freshman Team and the All-Big Ten Second Team.[2] He was also awarded the Deker Club Award as Rookie of the Year, and the Hal Downes Award as the team's most valuable player.[3]

J.T. Compher with the Michigan Wolverines in 2015.

On February 28, 2015, Compher recorded his first career hat-trick in a 5–2 win over the University of Wisconsin.[4] On June 3, 2015, Compher was named captain of the Michigan Wolverines for the 2015–16 season.[5]

On June 26, 2015, at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Compher's rights were traded by the Sabres in a package that included Nikita Zadorov, Mikhail Grigorenko and the 31st pick in the draft to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Ryan O'Reilly and Jamie McGinn.[6]

Compher was named the Big Ten First Star of the Week for the week ending January 12, 2016. During that time, he recorded two goals and five assists, including a career-best five points on January 8, at Michigan State University.[7] Compher was named the Big Ten Third Star of the Week for the week ending February 16, 2016. During that time, he recorded one goal and four assists to extend his point streak to 16 games.[8]

Following an outstanding season, Compher was named to the All-Big Ten First Team. Compher led the nation in assists and ranked second in points scored, behind Kyle Connor. He enjoyed his best season with 16 goals and 47 assists in 38 games.[9] His 47 assists were the most by a Michigan player since Brendan Morrison set the school record with 57 assists in 1996–97. He was also named an AHCA Second Team All-American.[10]

During the semi-finals of the 2016 Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Tournament, Compher recorded five assists, breaking the Big Ten Tournament record for most assists in a single game and tying the record for most points. Compher became the first Michigan player with five assists in a game since Chad Kolarik on March 28, 2008.[11][12] Compher and Kyle Connor are tied for most points in a single Big Ten tournament with eight points. Compher was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team.[13][14]

Professional

On April 25, 2016, Compher signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche.[15][16] After attending the Avalanche's 2016 training camp and pre-season, Compher was re-assigned to begin his professional career with the Avalanche's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage. In the 2016–17 season, he established his offensive pedigree amongst the Rampage, placing third in scoring with 30 points in 41 games before receiving his first NHL call-up to Colorado on March 1, 2017.[17] He made his NHL debut the following day, centering the Avalanche's third line between Matt Nieto and Blake Comeau in a 2–1 defeat to the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.[18] In his eighth game with the Avalanche, Compher scored his first NHL goal and point, the game-winner in a 3–1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on March 15, 2017.[19]

On July 17, 2019, Compher as a restricted free agent was signed to a four-year, $14 million contract extension with the Avalanche.[20]

International play
Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
2012 Canada
World U18 Championships
2012 Czech Republic
2013 Russia

Compher represented the United States at the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he won a silver medal. Compher was the team's leading scorer, recording four goals and seven assists in six games.

Compher represented the United States at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he won a goal medal.[21] He was chosen again, as one of only three returning skaters, to compete at the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships where he won a silver medal and was named one of Team USA's top three players of the tournament.[22][23] Compher represented the United States at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he did not record any points in five games.[24]

Compher represented the United States at the 2016 IIHF World Championship alongside line-mates Kyle Connor and Tyler Motte. He recorded one goal and two assists in ten games.[25] Compher again represented the United States at the 2017 IIHF World Championship, where he recorded two goals in eight games.

Personal life

Compher is the brother of United States women's national ice hockey team member Jesse Compher.[26]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2011–12 U.S. National Development Team USHL 32 13 14 27 37 — — — — —
2012–13 U.S. National Development Team USHL 21 7 17 24 23 — — — — —
2013–14 University of Michigan B1G 35 11 20 31 24 — — — — —
2014–15 University of Michigan B1G 34 12 12 24 44 — — — — —
2015–16 University of Michigan B1G 37 16 47 63 30 — — — — —
2016–17 San Antonio Rampage AHL 41 13 17 30 22 — — — — —
2016–17 Colorado Avalanche NHL 21 3 3 6 4 — — — — —
2017–18 Colorado Avalanche NHL 69 13 10 23 20 6 0 3 3 2
2018–19 Colorado Avalanche NHL 6616163231 124260
2019–20 Colorado Avalanche NHL 67 11 20 31 18
NHL totals 223 43 48 91 73 18 4 5 9 2

International
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2012 United States U17 6 4 7 11 14
2012 United States U18 6 2 3 5 4
2013 United States U18 7 3 4 7 8
2015 United States WJC 5th 5 0 0 0 0
2016 United States WC 4th 10 1 2 3 2
2017 United States WC 5th 8 2 0 2 0
Junior totals 23 9 14 23 26
Senior totals 18 3 2 5 2

Awards and honors
Award Year
College
All-Big Ten Freshman Team 2014 [27]
All-Big Ten Second Team 2014 [28]
Big Ten Freshman of the Year 2014 [29]
All-Big Ten First Team 2016 [9]
AHCA West Second-Team All-American 2016 [10]
Big Ten All-Tournament Team 2016 [13]

References
  1. "Hockey star J.T. Compher scores big in honor of dad". maxpreps.com. September 20, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  2. Michigan hockey's J.T. Compher named Big Ten Freshman of the Year
  3. "Michigan Announces Team Awards at Year End Banquet". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. April 5, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  4. "Compher's Hat Trick Leads Michigan to Win against Wisconsin". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. February 28, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  5. "Compher Elected Captain of Wolverines for 2015-16 Season". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. June 3, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  6. "Avalanche Acquires Zadorov, Grigorenko, Compher, Second-Round Draft Pick From Buffalo". Colorado Avalanche. June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  7. "Compher, Connor Named Big Ten's Top Performers of the Week". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. January 12, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  8. "Compher Named Big Ten Third Star of the Week". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. February 16, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  9. "Connor, Berenson Head List of All-Big Ten Award Winners". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  10. "Four Icers Earn All-America Honors; Connor Named Top Rookie". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. April 8, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  11. "Connor Scores Four to Lead U-M to B1G Championship Game". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. March 18, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
  12. "2016 Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Tournament Game 3 Notes" (PDF). MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. March 18, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
  13. "2016 All-Tournament Team" (PDF). MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. March 19, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  14. "2016 Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Tournament Game 5 Notes" (PDF). MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. March 19, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  15. "Avalanche signs JT Compher". Colorado Avalanche. April 25, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  16. "Compher Signs Entry-Level Contract with NHL's Colorado Avalanche". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. April 25, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  17. "Avalanche recall JT Compher in search of post deadline spark". BSNDenver.com. March 1, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  18. "J.T. Compher begins Colorado youth movement". Denver Post. March 2, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  19. Frei, Terry (March 15, 2017). "Matt Duchene scores as Avalanche beat Red Wings at home". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  20. "Avalanche signs J.T. Compher". Colorado Avalanche. July 17, 2019. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  21. "J.T. Compher prospect profile". HockeysFuture.com. January 2, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  22. Morreale, Mike (April 8, 2013). "J.T. Compher to help U.S. win 5th straight World U-18 title". National Hockey League. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  23. "Compher's intangibles set him apart". Suntimes.com. May 21, 2013. Archived from the original on July 7, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  24. "Four Wolverines Named to Final Roster for U.S. World Junior Team". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. December 26, 2014. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  25. "'C-C-M Line' Named to USA Hockey World Championship Roster". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. April 12, 2016. Archived from the original on June 22, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  26. Chambers, Mike (March 16, 2019). "Hockey was a buried treasure for J.T. Compher family". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  27. "Big Ten Announces Hockey Postseason Honors". Big Ten Conference. April 1, 2014. Archived from the original on March 18, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  28. "Michigan Announces Team Awards At Year End Banquet". chatsports.com. April 1, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  29. "Compher headlines Michigan All-Big Ten honors". Michigan Daily. April 1, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Award Created		 Big Ten Freshman of the Year
2013–14		 Succeeded by
Dylan Larkin
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