Winnipeg Jets sign Brenden Kichton to a one-year, two-way contract

The Winnipeg Jets announced on their site that the Jets have signed right-shot, offensive defenseman, Brenden Kichton, to a one-year, two-way contract. The contract has a NHL salary of $600,000 although the AHL salary has yet to be exposed.

Kicthon was an elite offensive defender in the WHL, putting 268 points in 333 games. The high-scoring defenseman was unable to agree on terms with the New York Islanders and re-entered the draft, where the Jets took Kichton in 2013 with their 7th round, 190th overall pick.

The 5’10 defender went straight to the American hockey league, where he put up the most assists by a rookie that season and was nominated to the All-Rookie Team and went to the All-Star Game.

It’s actually pretty impressive that Kichton came close to his rookie scoring last season, given how terrible the Manitoba Moose really were. Kichton led the Moose in points with 41 in 68 games.

Over His AHL career, the defender has put up 118 points in 209 games.

With the Jets carrying the same four right-hand shots as last season, and swapping Brian Strait for Adam Paryd, Kichton is all but guaranteed to start with the Moose next season. He will be leaned on heavily next year once again by the Jets’ farm team, as the only other adept puck mover likely on the team is Josh Morrissey.