Cochrane's Ty Bauer signs 3-year deal with Winnipeg Jets

Cochrane's Tyrel Bauer has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Winnipeg Jets just before the June 1 deadline.

It's been a huge week for the captain of the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds.

The Thunderbirds punched their ticket into the WHL championship series Tuesday night with a 3-2 win over Kamloops Blazers in game seven of the league's Western Conference championship. The T-Birds forced game seven in the series with a come-from-behind win at home on May 29.

The T-Birds will be facing the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL Championship series that opens Friday night in Alberta's capital. It is their third Western Conference crown in the last seven seasons.

Bauer was selected by the Jets in the sixth round, 164th overall, in the 2020 NHL Draft.

He would have become a free agent if the Jet hadn't signed him by June 1.

So far in the 2021-22 season, Bauer has played in 32 games with five goals and five assists for 10 points. He was awarded the captain title for this season and fought back after a potentially season-ending injury.

“We are very happy for Ty,” says Thunderbirds general manager Bil La Forge. “This is a testament to his work ethic and development since he was drafted. The Jets are signing a special player and person who will represent them as well as he has the Thunderbirds for the past four seasons.”

The 6'3" defenceman is in his fourth full season with the T-Birds. He came up through the ranks of Cochrane Minor Hockey and played AAA hockey with the Airdrie Xtreme, AC Avalanche, and CFR Bisons. 

Cochrane's Ty Bauer has signed a three-year deal with the Winnipeg Jets. he was drafted by the NHL team in the 2020 draft. (Photo/Winnipeg Jets twitter)