J. T. Compher
Forward who won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.
J. T. Compher is an American professional ice hockey forward who plays for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round, 35th overall, in 2013, and won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.
Compher was born on April 8, 1995, in Northbrook, Illinois, to Bob and Valerie Compher. His family moved from Deerfield to Northbrook when he was about five. A preschool classmate introduced him to ice skating, and he soon began playing hockey. As a child, he practiced slapshots on his younger sister Jesse, who wanted to be a goaltender; his other sister, Morgan, and neighborhood kids also joined in pickup games. He played for youth teams like the Northbrook Bluehawks and Team Illinois, attended Glenbrook North High School, and joined the USA Hockey National Team Development Program for the 2011–12 season. Over two seasons with the program, he recorded 33 goals and 92 points in 92 games, also appearing in two IIHF World U18 Championships.
Compher played three seasons of college hockey for the Michigan Wolverines. As a freshman in 2013–14, he led all Big Ten freshmen in scoring with 31 points and was named the inaugural Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He also made the All-Big Ten Second Team and All-Freshman First Team. During the 2015–16 season, he served as team captain and was part of the high-scoring "CCM Line" with Kyle Connor and Tyler Motte, which combined for 83 goals and 107 assists, helping Michigan win their first Big Ten tournament title.
While Compher was still in college, the Sabres traded his rights to the Avalanche. After finishing at Michigan, he began the 2016–17 season with Colorado’s AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, but was called up to the NHL as a replacement for the traded Jarome Iginla. In his first full NHL season, he found success and aimed to become Colorado’s second-line center, though a concussion delayed that plan. He posted consecutive 30-point seasons in 2018–19 and 2019–20, despite missing time due to injury and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quick Facts
- Team
- Detroit Red Wings
- Former Teams
- Colorado Avalanche
- League
- NHL
- Ntl Team
- USA
- Position
- Forward
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 0
- Weight Lb
- 192
- Shoots
- Right
- Birth Date
- 1995-04-08
- Birth Place
- Northbrook, Illinois, U.S.
- Draft
- 35th overall
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Compher was born in Northbrook, Illinois, and began playing ice hockey after a preschool friend invited him to go ice skating. He played youth hockey for the Northbrook Bluehawks and Team Illinois before joining the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. He played three seasons of college hockey for the Michigan Wolverines, where he was named the inaugural Big Ten Freshman of the Year and later served as team captain. At Michigan, he played on the high-scoring 'CCM Line' with Kyle Connor and Tyler Motte.
Compher was traded to the Colorado Avalanche while still in college. He began his professional career with the San Antonio Rampage, the Avalanche's AHL affiliate, before being called up to the NHL after Jarome Iginla was traded. He posted consecutive 30-point seasons in 2018–19 and the following season despite injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic. Compher won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022.
Reader's Guide
Compher's tenure with the Colorado Avalanche spanned from 2016 to 2023, during which he developed from a college standout into a reliable NHL forward. After being acquired via trade from the Buffalo Sabres, he spent his first professional season splitting time between the AHL and NHL, eventually replacing the traded Jarome Iginla in the lineup. His role grew as he aimed to become the team's second-line center, though a concussion delayed that plan. Despite injuries and the pandemic-shortened season, Compher posted consecutive 30-point campaigns, demonstrating consistent offensive production. His most notable achievement with the Avalanche came in 2022 when he helped the team win the Stanley Cup. Compher's time in Colorado established him as a capable two-way forward who contributed to the team's championship run.
Did You Know?
- Compher was introduced to ice hockey by a preschool friend who invited him to go ice skating.
- He was named the inaugural Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Freshman of the Year in 2014.
- Compher played on the 'CCM Line' with Kyle Connor and Tyler Motte at Michigan, which combined for 83 goals and 107 assists in the 2015–16 season.
- He was traded to the Colorado Avalanche as part of a package that included Nikita Zadorov and Mikhail Grigorenko.
More in Colorado Avalanche Players 1-24
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