The Colorado Avalanche have a capable third-line winger in forward JT Compher, who’s poised to contribute his best this season.
Colorado Avalanche forward J.T. Compher came to the team via the Ryan O’Reilly trade. He’s already played 21 games with Colorado, all at the end of last season, and he’s recorded three goals and three assists so far.
Compher is ready to contribute even more.
Before the season opener against the New York Rangers in Madison Square Garden, Compher expressed his excitement to play on opening night and in such an historic building:
"“It’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s a great building. It’s going to be loud. It’s going to be exciting. I think everybody is excited to get going.”"
It was Compher’s first experience with an NHL opening night. Interestingly, it wasn’t his first experience in the Garden. He played a game there while part of the Michigan team. He said of the experience:
"“The building is amazing, so much history and tradition. To be a part of that playing a college game… but now it’s going to be the real thing playing against the Rangers.”"
In that same interview, he talked about how his experience with the Prospect Showcase helped prepare him for training camp, remarking that playing some of those early games helped him “get the nerves out” and “get your feet wet a little bit.”
In his first-ever NHL-season opener, Compher had two shots on goal in 16:04 of ice time. He had a hit and a block, but no points. He did get a two-minute penalty, but that hardly counts since the referees were handing those out like candy on Halloween (28 total).
J.T. Compher Background
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J.T. Compher spent three years playing hockey for the University of Michigan. In 106 games with them, Compher recorded 118 points (39 goals, 79 assists). His best season was his last, when he recorded 16 goals and 47 assists.
After signing an entry-level contract with the Avalanche, Compher spent two-thirds of last season in the AHL with the San Antonio Rampage. In 41 games, he recorded 13 goals and 17 assists.
J.T. scored his first goal against the Detroit Red Wings (don’t we love these rookies scoring on old rivals?) on March 15, 2017, and it was a beauty:
What I love about this goal — besides that it’s against the Detroit Red Wings — is that Compher persists in driving toward the net and then threads the shot between three Wings and two Avs players. The determination, sight and skill it took to score that goal bode well for JT.
J.T. Compher’s Future
It wasn’t a guarantee that JT Compher would make the roster right out of camp. He remarked in the same interview that his goal all summer had been to train hard. He went into training camp with the determination to make the team. Now:
"“Now I’m here, and now it is just trying to help the team win in whatever way possible.”"
Compher is known for being a skilled skater with some versatility in his play. He has a solid work ethic. He’s especially known for being a smart, two-way player.
JT isn’t likely to be a future superstar. He’s been playing on the third line for Colorado, and that’s a really good place for him. He’s responsible against opponents and can chip in offense — everything you want in a third-liner.
JT Compher wasn’t the most heralded piece of the Ryan O’Reilly trade. However, he was a solid acquisition. The Colorado Avalanche’s bottom six is better because of his presence.