Kyle Connor makes leap to the NHL, signs with Winnipeg Jets

Kyle Connor, a19-year-old hockey phenomwho has starred in every level he's played, has decided to make the leap to the NHL and sign with the Winnipeg Jets.

Connor announced the signing via Twitter on Monday morning and an hour later the Jets confirmed it, saying they have agreed toa three-year contractworth an average annualvalue of $1.775 million.

TheMichigan native is coming off a stellar freshman season in the NCAA with his hometown Wolverines, where he scored71 points (35 goals, 36 assists) in 38 games,wrappingup the season ona 27-game pointstreak.

Heled the entire league in scoring and did it as a freshman. That matched Jack Eichel's 71 points as a first-year playerbut Connor did it in two fewer games.

"Only PaulKariyatotaled more points as a freshman, scoring 100 points for Maine in 1992-93," stated a news release from the Jets.

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Connorwas one of three finalists for theHobeyBaker Award, given to the topNCAAmen'shockey player, but lost out to Harvard's JimVesey.

He was drafted 17th overall by theWinnipeg Jetsin the2015 NHL entry draft before he ever tore up the NCAA.

The Jets saw his potential while he was playing for the Youngstown Phantomsof theUSHL.During the201314 season, he scored74 points (31 goals and 43 assists)in 56 games.

That seta Phantoms' franchise record for most points in a season and earned him a place on theUSHLAll-Star Team.

He followed that up in the201415 season with 80 points (34 goals and 46 assists)in 56 games, setting a new team record and leading the entire league in scoring.

In addition to be named to the All-Star Team, Connor was named USHL Forward of the Year and Player of the Year.