Highest overall Chinese-born draft pick ready to hit the ice for the Winnipeg Jets

While the Stanley Cup may have just been awarded, the newest batch of Jets were already back on the ice Thursday for the start of development camp, including 18-year-old Kevin He, who made history last week, when he became the highest-selected Chinese-born player in NHL history.

“When Winnipeg jumped up, I was pretty happy, pretty excited, so just hugged my family, hugged my agent, just a surreal moment,” explained He.

He’s NHL dream began on rollerblades back in Beijing as a child, but became a reality last Friday when the 18-year-old heard his name called with the 109th pick of the 4th round, joining Andong Song as just the second-ever player born in China to be drafted into the league.

“It was just a huge honour, I had all my family there at the draft, so I hadn’t seen in a long time. Including my two nephews one is six months the other is a year and a half so I got to meet them for the first time at the draft so means a lot to my family.”

Fresh off a 31-goal season with the Niagara IceDogs of the OHL, the promising young winger is looking forward to making a great first impression over the next few days.

“Just going to try to showcase my skills, and like I said before just compete. I also haven’t been on the ice in a while so just try to get my legs going,” said He.

As for 2022 first-round pick Brad Lambert, having gotten his first taste of the NHL late last season, the 20-year-old is extra motivated to show team brass that he’s got what it takes to reach new heights this fall.

“It’s funny I was talking to Chaz about it, we feel old for the first time in our lives,” said Lambert. “Playing in front of the fans in Winnipeg was an unbelievable feeling, and you know that just drives me to want more of that.”