He embracing leadership role in Niagara

Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

Niagara IceDogs captain Kevin He has experienced just about everything a player can in the Ontario Hockey League, arriving as a 16-year-old, to becoming one of the franchise’s most productive scorers, to hearing his name called at the NHL Draft.

Now in his fourth season in St. Catharines, the veteran winger says his time with the organization and support from the fan base have helped him develop into a top prospect.

“I was pretty fortunate to get drafted, you know, and with Darren coming in as the new owner,” He said. “He’s done tremendous things for me, not just as a player but also off the ice. This organization has given me so much, and the same with the city.”

“Honestly, the fans come out and support us every night, so it’s not hard to show up every day, battle, and compete in front of them.”

He recently crossed the 200-game mark in Niagara and has moved into the top five in goals scored for the franchise.

“It’s a huge honour for me,” he said. “Obviously, it wasn’t one of my goals this year, but it’s a good byproduct of us trying to win games, trying to compete, and trying to make a push for the playoffs.”

His offensive production, including back-to-back near-point-per-game seasons, has cemented him as one of the longest-tenured and most consistent forwards in franchise history.

In 210 career games with the IceDogs, He has 99 goals and 185 points, including a pair of 30-goal seasons.

Last season, the IceDogs named He captain.

“It was a huge honour, honestly,” He said. “I was fortunate enough to play with a lot of great players and a lot of great captains before me. When I was younger, I tried to learn as much as I could, and now being in a leadership position, I’m just trying to do what I can to help the other guys.”

At the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, He made league history when the Winnipeg Jets selected him in the fourth round, making him the highest-drafted Chinese-born player in NHL history.

“I think my family was really proud of me,” he said. “Being first-generation immigrants coming here to Canada, putting me on skates, playing hockey in Montreal. It’s been quite the journey. I’ve had so much support.”

He was joined in Las Vegas by his billet family, members of the IceDogs front office, and owner Darren DeDobbelaer.

“It was a huge honour to represent Niagara,” He said.

Vivid Eye Photography

This season has also been special for his family, as his younger brother Eric joined the IceDogs after splitting last year between the London Nationals and Caledon Admirals.

“It’s a huge motivation boost,” He said. “We played together when we were younger in Montreal, and to have him here under my wing. I’m just trying to teach him the work ethic and the details of the game, and help him out as much as I can.”

Growing up in Beijing, He first learned to skate on rollerblades, before his family moved to Canada.

“I started skating a little bit in China, but mostly it was rollerblading,” he said. “Being able to play in Montreal helped me progress, and now being down here in Niagara. It’s been quite the journey.”

Last December, He made more history by becoming the first Chinese-born player to sign an NHL contract when he inked his entry-level deal with the Jets.

“It means a lot to me,” He said. “You’re seeing a lot of young kids coming up from China now, and being able to grow the game there is a huge honour.”

Now an NHL prospect and captain of an OHL franchise, he says the one thing he’d tell his younger self is to stay patient.

“Honestly, I’d just tell myself not to look too far ahead,” he said. “Just try to win games and take it day by day. Don’t think too much about the future and don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”

Niagara returned to the OHL playoffs last season for the first time since 2019. As the IceDogs look to return to the postseason, He believes the organization can continue to build.

“We’ve got to start winning a lot more games and make a push for the playoffs,” he said. “I believe in this group. It’s my fourth year now, and I want to help lead this team to the playoffs and make a real push.”

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