Kero didn't let being passed over in the NHL Draft prevent him from reaching the NHL.

Born in Hancock, Michigan, the forward stayed close to home by playing at Michigan Tech University. He began establishing himself as a player to watch as a sophomore in 2012-13, when he finished third on the team with 11 goals in 33 games.

He bettered that with 15 goals as a junior in 2013-14, and as captain in 2014-15, his senior season, Kero led Michigan Tech in goals (20), assists (26) and points (46). He was a Western Collegiate Hockey Association First-Team All-Star, the league's player of the year and a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the best player in NCAA Division I.

Kero signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on April 2, 2015, and made his professional debut with Rockford of the American Hockey League on April 9, 2015. He started 2015-16 with Rockford but was called up and made his NHL debut against the Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 29, 2015. He scored his first goal in his fifth game, against the New Jersey Devils on Nov. 6, 2015.

Kero played a personal-best 47 NHL games in 2016-17, and signed a two-year contract March 23, 2017, that would keep him with the Blackhawks through the 2018-19 season.

He started 2017-18 with the Blackhawks and played eight games before being sent to the AHL. He remains a reliable option if the Blackhawks need to add some punch to their offense.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• WCHA First All-Star Team (2015)
• WCHA Player of the Year (2015)
• NCAA West First All-American Team (2015)
• Signed as a free agent by Chicago, April 2, 2015.
• Traded to Vancouver by Chicago for Michael Chaput, June 24, 2018.