J.T. and Jesse Compher have made Motor City hockey history.
When Jesse, 27, signed a three-year contract with expansion PWHL Detroit in early June, she and her brother, J.T., became the first siblings to professionally represent the same city in the NHL and PWHL at the same time.
The forward was one of five players added to the team during Phase 2 of the PWHL’s Expansion Roster Distribution Process.
For J.T., 31, who has been with the Red Wings since he signed a five-year contract with the Original Six club on July 1, 2023, the opportunity to share the same city with his younger sister is a career highlight.
“I love watching her play,” said the veteran of 658 NHL regular-season games. “She competes hard every shift and every game. To be in the same city now, and to get the chance to see more games, is just unbelievable.”
Jesse, who was selected by Toronto in the fifth round of the inaugural PWHL Draft in 2023 and is one of five players to have played in every Sceptres game in team history (84 regular season and nine postseason games), also sees it in a similar light.
“J.T. always gives me the best advice. And now we get to be in the same city. He’s always there for me and always encouraging me. That’s how he has always been, and it means a lot. When you go through the ups and downs in hockey, and you have someone who understands that and can be a calming influence, it helps you so much.”
It’s also a win-win situation for their parents, Bob and Valerie.
“If our schedules match up, it will be nice for our parents to see more games, now that we are in the same spot,” said J.T. “There has been a lot of interest in PWHL Detroit, so I am excited for Jesse and her teammates to have a world-class place to play. They very much deserve it and seeing how passionate the fans are and how much they embrace the team was incredible.”
“I think this is going to make my parents’ life a lot easier, being able to watch two games now when they come from Chicago,” said Jesse. “I know they are just as excited as we are.”
The two Illinois-born forwards have remained close throughout their own hockey journeys, both of which include several highlights.
Jesse, a standout forward with Boston University and University of Wisconsin – she helped the Badgers capture the 2023 NCAA title – has made four International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship appearances with medals earned in three (gold in 2019, silver in 2021 and 2022), along with a silver at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.
A Stanley Cup champion with Colorado in 2022, J.T. starred with the U.S. national program and the University of Michigan before becoming the 35th overall draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 2013 (his rights were traded to Colorado in 2015).
Unwavering support for one another remains a cornerstone of their relationship.
When Jesse was drafted by PWHL Toronto, her family was all in attendance for the big day.
“That was one of a lot of great memories tied to Toronto,” said Jesse, who also excelled in soccer, lacrosse, basketball, and softball before settling on hockey full-time. “To have my family there was special. It made an amazing day even better than I could have imagined.”
She is looking forward to adding even more in the newest chapter of her career.
“To make Little Caesars Arena our home, playing in the same building as the Red Wings, is going to be unbelievable,” said Jesse, whose teammates will include five-time (two gold, three silver) Olympic medalist and PWHL standout Hilary Knight, former Sceptres teammate Daryl Watts and former Wisconsin and U.S. teammate, Britta Curl-Salemme.
“Watching J.T. play there the past three seasons has been incredible. I was there for his first game, and I just remember how loud it was. It was opening night and when they announced all the players coming onto the ice, it was really, really special.
“You can see how passionate Red Wings fans are and how much the city loves hockey, so it’s going to be a lot of fun for us to play in front of them.”
For now, the siblings, who are currently back in Illinois, have been in the gym getting prepared for their respective hockey seasons.
“You enjoy a little time off once the season ends and then you get back into that hockey mindset,” said Jesse. “The more you are in the gym, the more excited you are to get back out there. You can really feel the excitement building in Detroit.”
Something that her older brother is thrilled to see.
“I like training here and I train with Jesse in the off-season as well,” said J.T. “The work ethic I see from Jesse and the women in the PWHL is incredible. Jesse is in the gym as much as I am. She skates with us in the pro group in Chicago, and she shows up and works hard every day. I am excited to see the league continue to grow and I am so proud of how hard the players have worked for it.
“I love watching the [PWHL] games. It’s cool now having Jesse in the same city. Hopefully, we can affect some more change and growth in the women’s game because it’s close to my heart and my family’s hearts.”
