J. T. Compher

Joseph Taylor Compher (born April 8, 1995) is an American professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played college ice hockey and was captain for the Michigan Wolverines of the Big Ten Conference. Compher was originally drafted in the second round, 35th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Amateur
Compher trained with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program team from 2011 to 2013.

During his rookie season, he led the team, and all Big Ten freshman in scoring, recording 11 goals and 20 assists. Following an outstanding rookie season with the University of Michigan, Compher was selected as the inaugural Big Ten 2013–14 Freshman of the Year. He was also named to both the 2013–14 Big Ten All-Freshman Team and the All-Big Ten Second Team. He was also awarded the Deker Club Award as Rookie of the Year, and the Hal Downes Award as the team's most valuable player.

On February 28, 2015, Compher recorded his first career hat-trick in a 5–2 win over the University of Wisconsin. On June 3, 2015, Compher was named captain of the Michigan Wolverines for the 2015–16 season.

On June 26, 2015, at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Compher's rights were traded by the Sabres in a package that included Nikita Zadorov, Mikhail Grigorenko and the 31st pick in the draft to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Ryan O'Reilly and Jamie McGinn.

Compher was named the Big Ten First Star of the Week for the week ending January 12, 2016. During that time, he recorded two goals and five assists, including a career-best five points on January 8, at Michigan State University. Compher was named the Big Ten Third Star of the Week for the week ending February 16, 2016. During that time, he recorded one goal and four assists to extend his point streak to 16 games.

Following an outstanding season, Compher was named to the All-Big Ten First Team. Compher led the nation in assists and ranked second in points scored, behind Kyle Connor. He enjoyed his best season with 16 goals and 47 assists in 38 games. His 47 assists were the most by a Michigan player since Brendan Morrison set the school record with 57 assists in 1996–97. He was also named an AHCA Second Team All-American.

During the semi-finals of the 2016 Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Tournament, Compher recorded five assists, breaking the Big Ten Tournament record for most assists in a single game and tying the record for most points. Compher became the first Michigan player with five assists in a game since Chad Kolarik on March 28, 2008. Compher and Kyle Connor are tied for most points in a single Big Ten tournament with eight points. Compher was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team.

Professional
On April 25, 2016, Compher signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche. After attending the Avalanche's 2016 training camp and pre-season, Compher was re-assigned to begin his professional career with the Avalanche's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage. In the 2016–17 season, he established his offensive pedigree amongst the Rampage, placing third in scoring with 30 points in 41 games before receiving his first NHL call-up to Colorado on March 1, 2017. He made his NHL debut the following day, centering the Avalanche's third line between Matt Nieto and Blake Comeau in a 2–1 defeat to the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. In his eighth game with the Avalanche, Compher scored his first NHL goal and point, the game-winner in a 3–1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on March 15, 2017.

On July 17, 2019, Compher as a restricted free agent was signed to a four-year, $14 million contract extension with the Avalanche.

International play
Compher represented the United States at the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he won a silver medal. Compher was the team's leading scorer, recording four goals and seven assists in six games.

Compher represented the United States at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he won a goal medal. He was chosen again, as one of only three returning skaters, to compete at the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships where he won a silver medal and was named one of Team USA's top three players of the tournament. Compher represented the United States at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he did not record any points in five games.

Compher represented the United States at the 2016 IIHF World Championship alongside line-mates Kyle Connor and Tyler Motte. He recorded one goal and two assists in ten games. Compher again represented the United States at the 2017 IIHF World Championship, where he recorded two goals in eight games.

Personal life
Compher is the brother of United States women's national ice hockey team member Jesse Compher.