It's official: Jacob Trouba leaving Michigan for NHL's Winnipeg Jets

On the subject of underclassmen players leaving school early, Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson said last week, "if they're ready to play in the NHL, I'll drive 'em to the airport."

Better start warming up the car, Red.

Michigan freshman defenseman Jacob Trouba has reached a deal with the Winnipeg Jets the team announced on Tuesday.

Trouba was the Jets' first round draft pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, selected ninth overall. He finished the season with 12 goals and 17 assists for Michigan, one goal shy of the record for a Wolverines freshman defenseman. He was named the CCHA’s Best Offensive Defenseman, was named All-CCHA first team and was a finalist for Rookie of the Year.

Trouba told reporters last week that he had not made a decision yet and a spokesperson for the Michigan hockey said the team had not been informed otherwise as of 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night.

But Trouba took to social media to say his thanks to Michigan and express excitement in joining the Jets.

I'm proud to be signing with the @nhljets. Looking forward to starting my career with a great organization. #gojetsgo

— Jacob Trouba (@JacobTrouba) April 3, 2013

Thank you to @umichhockey, my coaches, and my teammates for a great year. It has been a blast. Forever a Wolverine. #goblue

— Jacob Trouba (@JacobTrouba) April 3, 2013

Trouba is the second defenseman to leave the Wolverines in a week. Junior Jon Merrill signed an Amateur Try Out contract to play with the Albany Devils -- the New Jersey Devils' American Hockey League affiliate -- last week with the expectation he'll sign a three-year entry level NHL deal after this season. Merrill has registered five points in three games played so far with Albany.

Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at petercunningham@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.