Jets sign Kieron Walton to three-year, entry-level contract
On Sunday, the Winnipeg Jets signed forward Kieron Walton to a three-year, entry-level contract.
According to PuckPedia, the deal will start next season. Walton’s deal has a base pay of $775,000 but an AAV of $858,000, thanks to a signing bonus of $80,000 in year one. That number rises to $85,000 over the final two seasons of the contract.
The #NHLJets signed '24 6th Round Pick F Kieron Walton to 3 year ELC starting next season
Yr 1 775K NHL, 80K Signing Bonus, 80K Minors
Yr 2 & 3 $775/85/85
Cap Hit/AAV $858K
Rep'd by @jwalters82 & Ian Pulver @WillSportsGroup https://t.co/8Jpm71ttAX
Those values are also in line with his minor-league salary – $80,000 in 2025-26, $85,000 in years two and three.
Murat Ates of The Athletic was the first to report the signing.
It hasn’t been announced by the team, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Walton would join the Jets’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Manitoba Moose. The Moose have just four games remaining in the regular season but have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Walton is coming off his third season in the Ontario Hockey League with the Sudbury Wolves. The 6-foot-6 behemoth steadily improved over his first two years but exploded for 38 goals and 54 assists for a career-high 92 points in 2024-25, finishing ninth in the OHL in scoring. Walton’s efforts earned him a nomination for the Red Tilson Trophy as the league’s most valuable player.
The Toronto native’s latest season came to an abrupt end as the Wolves were swept in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs by the Kingston Frontenacs. Walton posted five points in the four games.
Daily Faceoff prospect expert Steven Ellis says Walton’s skillset has mightily improved this season.
“He’s a good skater,” Ellis said on an episode of DFO LIVE. “He’s a power forward I remember watching him in his OHL draft year, and it’s like, ‘Man, if he could figure out how to score and get that offensive ability unlocked, he’s going to be so good.’ Right now, the Winnipeg Jets are looking really good for taking him.”
In 177 appearances with Sudbury, Walton scored 64 goals and 84 assists for 148 points, potting six points in 15 postseason games.
The Jets took Walton in the sixth round, 187th overall, of the 2024 NHL Draft.