BC product Connor Levis, who was drafted by the Jets in the 7th round in 2023, was not signed by them to an entry-level contract. They had until today to ink him to a contract or they’d lose their exclusive signing rights to him. As a result and with Levis being under 20 by the time of the NHL Draft later this month he can re-enter it.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
The 20-year old winger has spent the last five seasons in the WHL first with Kamloops before he was traded to his hometown Vancouver Giants during the 2023-24 season. He spent some time with the Moose on an ATO in April of 2024 but didn’t get into any games with the Jets AHL affiliate although he did play two games for Manitoba the season prior.
It was announced awhile ago and confirmed on May 2nd that he’d be heading to play NCAA hockey in the fall with Bowling Green University. This actually adds an interesting wrinkle which the folks from PuckPedia wrote about:
Some front office sources tell PuckPedia they expect these players’ rights will be extended by two years, as is typically the case for players who leave Major Junior early before age 20. However, some player agents dispute that interpretation in conversations with PuckPedia. This topic was brought up at the GM meetings in March, and it is possible that the NHL and NHLPA negotiate a resolution either prior to the new CBA, or at a minimum, as part of the new CBA.
Until that resolution is announced, league and agent contacts generally agree that these players drafted out of Major Junior in 2023 and who played Major Junior last season should be treated as June 1, 2025 expiries, regardless of their NCAA commitments.
Suspect that’s academic as it pertains to this situation but worth watching for the future.
Update:
PuckPedia updated their own post about this topic indicating:
“The status of these players is pending a league and PA resolution which could extend rights. As of now, they appear to still be property of their NHL team.”
So worth noting.
