Brandon Tanev had no shortage of choices to mull over.

As a highly sought-after college free agent, the speedy left-winger had more than 10 NHL teams interested in his services.

But as he worked through the sometimes stressful process, ultimately Tanev chose the Winnipeg Jets – thanks in part to an assist from his older brother Chris, who spent time with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League before making the jump to the Vancouver Canucks.

“It's an exciting point in my life, an unbelievable feeling. The opportunity to play in a Canadian market is something I've dreamed about since I ever wanted to play in the NHL,” Brandon Tanev said after the Jets lost 2-1 to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday to open up a three-game homestand. “It was a difficult process, I've never been through something like that, so I was able to lean on my brother and my agent (Wade Arnott of Newport) throughout the situation and I felt that Winnipeg was the best fit for myself.”

The Jets host the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night as they continue a three-game homestand.

Because of his age (24), the terms of the collective bargaining agreement dictate that Tanev could only sign a one-year entry-level contract.

Tanev inked a two-way deal that includes a prorated NHL salary of $925,000.

At the end of the season, Tanev will be a restricted free agent and the Jets can retain his rights by issuing a qualifying offer.

So this isn't just a five-game tryout for Tanev, who recently completed his NCAA career with the Providence College Friars.

It's an opportunity for Tanev to get a jump on next season and start learning the system.

His true value or where he will actually fit in won't really be known until next season.

But for a franchise that is looking to bolster its forward depth, especially among the bottom-six forwards, this is a low-risk move by Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff that has ample upside.

Outside of the financial commitment, this addition doesn't cost the Jets anything.

And for an organization that has missed the playoffs in four of the five seasons since arriving in Winnipeg, the competition for jobs must be stiffer come September and early indications certainly point in that direction.

Tanev didn't put up eye-popping numbers like Kyle Connor during his college career, but he's a strong skater that is a prototypical late bloomer and has plenty of qualities that could make him an effective NHL player.

“He likes big games and he likes big moments,” Friars head coach Nate Leaman said in a telephone interview. “He's just an outright competitor. It doesn't take much to get him going or to get his competitive juices flowing.”

When you combine those qualities with his hockey mind, skill set and aggressiveness, Tanev projects to be a strong checker and penalty killer who could add some secondary scoring once he adapts to the professional game.

Jets head coach Paul Maurice said on Wednesday that he wanted to get Tanev on the ice and hoped to get him into game action before the end of the regular season, which is only five games away.

However, since the Jets took Thursday off, it would seem more likely that Tanev makes his NHL debut no earlier than Sunday when the Minnesota Wild come to town.

Whenever Maurice taps Tanev on the shoulder, he's going to be ready.

“There's going to be some nerves, absolutely. But I think I'll be able to lean on my brother, let it all hang out and just be excited,” said Tanev, who had 35 goals and 77 points in 149 NCAA games over four seasons with the Providence College Friars. “My strengths as a player are my speed, my work ethic and my tenacity, just kind of getting on the forecheck and being physical when I can.”

The Friars were recently bounced from the opening round of the NCAA men's hockey tournament in a 2-1 double overtime loss, but Tanev helped the Friars capture the Frozen Four title last April, delivering the game-winning goal in the championship final against Boston University.

Obviously it will be up to Tanev to make the jump to the next level, but bringing in another player with a championship pedigree is another smart move for the Jets, who continue to work at building a winning culture.

While it probably won't be that missing piece that puts them over the top, it's another building block that can bolster the foundation.