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Posted on Tue, Apr 2, 2013 : 9:26 p.m.

It's official: Jacob Trouba leaving Michigan for NHL's Winnipeg Jets

By Pete Cunningham

trouba-shotvsState.JPG

Jacob Trouba has officially left Michigan and will join the NHL's Winnipeg Jets after just one season in Ann Arbor.

Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com

On the subject of underclassmen players leaving school early, Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson said last week, "if they're ready to play in the NHL, I'll drive 'em to the airport."

Better start warming up the car, Red.

Michigan freshman defenseman Jacob Trouba has reached a deal with the Winnipeg Jets the team announced on Tuesday.

Trouba was the Jets' first round draft pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, selected ninth overall. He finished the season with 12 goals and 17 assists for Michigan, one goal shy of the record for a Wolverines freshman defenseman. He was named the CCHA’s Best Offensive Defenseman, was named All-CCHA first team and was a finalist for Rookie of the Year.

Trouba told reporters last week that he had not made a decision yet and a spokesperson for the Michigan hockey said the team had not been informed otherwise as of 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night.

But Trouba took to social media to say his thanks to Michigan and express excitement in joining the Jets.

Trouba is the second defenseman to leave the Wolverines in a week. Junior Jon Merrill signed an Amateur Try Out contract to play with the Albany Devils -- the New Jersey Devils' American Hockey League affiliate -- last week with the expectation he'll sign a three-year entry level NHL deal after this season. Merrill has registered five points in three games played so far with Albany.

Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at petercunningham@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.

Comments

Doug

Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 3:26 p.m.

Why doesn't the NCAA have a rule like football for kids leaving a sports program early? Trouba is not only missing a free education but the best part of his young life.

Ypsibronc

Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 2:57 a.m.

Short stint for the Blue Squad. Losing Merrill on top of that hurts. Red back fills well though.

Pete Cunningham

Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 2:24 a.m.

It's club policy not to release terms of the deal, but sources have told me that when you're a Jet, you're a Jet all the way; from your first cigarette, to your last dying day.

Pete Cunningham

Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 2:15 p.m.

Well done, sir. Lee Moffie's rights are held by San Jose and the two were occasionally line partners this year, which I liked to call the, Champions of the Westside Story line.

lugemachine

Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 12:41 p.m.

Unless the unthinkable happens and you're traded to the Sharks.

garrisondyer

Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 1:47 a.m.

Good for him, and wishing him the best in the NHL (except when he plays the Wings). Yikes for the Wolverines. Go Blue!