Winnipeg Jets sign Andrew Copp to ELC

The Winnipeg Jets have announced their signing of 2013 fourth-round pick Andrew Copp, the top-line centre and captain for the University of Michigan, to a three-year Entry Level Contract.

So who is this 20-year-old collegiate alumni? Let’s break it down after the jump.

Copp is an American born, two-way centre that spent the last three seasons in Michigan, playing with Jets prospects Brennan Serville and Jacob Trouba. In fact, Copp is a childhood friend of Trouba.

Copp was drafted by the Jets in the fourth round in 2013, between JC Lipon and Jan Kostalek. The young centre was actually drafted in his second year eligible as the year prior Copp’s main sport was football and was a highly ranked quarterback in high-school.

At 6’2 and well over 200 pounds, Copp already possesses NHL ready size and strength. He is a 200-foot player, with the ability to score but mostly respected for his defensive game.

Copp started as a freshman on Michigan’s fourth-line, but moved up to the top about half way through the season. Since his promotion, Copp has sat just under a point per game for the rest of his collegiate career.

Copp’s game and ceiling is comparable to that of Adam Lowry but there are some differences. Copp has less size although is still a big body who uses it to his advantage in protecting the puck. Copp projects as a bit of a better goal scorer due to a stronger shot with more release points and faster offensive decision making, but Lowry looks to be slightly better defensively, especially in defensive and neutral zone positioning.

Ultimately the Jets hope that both Lowry and Copp hit their ceilings, giving them very effective and cost controlled bottom-six centres for the long-run.