Throwback Thursday: Nine years ago today Winnipeg Jets sign Kyle Wellwood

It was nine years ago today that the Winnipeg Jets signed Kyle Wellwood to a one-year, $700k contract.

Wellwood, who had bounced around after four years with the team who drafted him, the Toronto Maple Leafs then the Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Sharks and a KHL team, he stepped into the Jets lineup and made an impact right away.

In 77 games, he scored 18 goals and 47 points as a middle-six player. He contributed on the powerplay with 10 points, too. He had a career-best shooting percentage of 19.4% to thank for his big year, too.

After that sharp first year that saw him set career highs in all scoring categories, he clearly had earned another year and that’s exactly what he got. Winnipeg signed him to another one-year deal for $1.6-million.

Wellwood, however, didn’t have the production in year two as he did in year one. In 39 games that year, he scored only six goals and 15 points. Winnipeg didn’t renew his contract and Wellwood left to play nine games in the Swiss league. Wellwood didn’t last long and retired after that.

On Twitter: @zjlaing