Cole Koepke

Last updated
Cole Koepke
Cole Koepke (cropped).jpg
Koepke in 2022
Born (1998-05-17) May 17, 1998 (age 26)
Two Harbors, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 196 lb (89 kg; 14 st 0 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Boston Bruins
Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL draft 183rd overall, 2018
Tampa Bay Lightning
Playing career 2021–present

Cole Tyler Koepke (born May 17, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). As a member of the Sioux City Musketeers, Koepke was drafted 183rd overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He then played three seasons with the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey team before joining the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Contents

Early life

Koepke was born on May 17, 1998, in Two Harbors, Minnesota, U.S [1] to parents Jim and Julie Koepke. [2] He began playing ice hockey after watching his older brother Travis play the sport. [3] As a student at Hermantown High School, [2] Koepke played defence on their varsity soccer team. [4] He also served as a senior assistant team captain as the hockey team captured the 2015–16 Minnesota State High School Class A title. [2] During the tournament, he scored four goals and two assists in their 11–3 quarterfinals win and finished their state championship run with 11 total points. [5]

Playing career

Following high school, Koepke joined the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) for two seasons and served as an assistant captain for one. [1] He played 22 games as a rookie, recording five points and time on the penalty kill and the power play, before being sidelined due to a knee injury. [6] Early in the 2017–18 season, Koepke signed a letter of intent with the University of Minnesota Duluth. [7] Leading up to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Koepke was ranked 215th among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. [8] He concluded the season with 28 goals and 39 points in 60 games and was eventually drafted in the sixth round, 183rd overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning. [7] Following the draft, Koepke was invited to participate in their Development Camp. [9]

Collegiate

Koepke joined the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey team as a rookie for their 2018–19 NCAA season. During the season, he often skated on the left wing on a line with Parker Mackay and Justin Richards who helped him record 19 points. At the conclusion of the season, Koepke helped the Bulldogs captured their second-consecutive national championship. [10] The following season, Koepke reigned as the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) leader in goals and completed his sophomore season riding a 10-game scoring streak. [11] He ended his sophomore campaign with 33 points in 34 games and earned first-team all-NCHC and second-team All-American honors. [12]

Koepke returned to the Bulldogs for the 2020–21 NCAA season and served as an assistant captain. During his junior season, Koepke lead the team in shots with 115 and finished second on the team in goals. [13] He helped the Bulldogs return to the NCAA Frozen Four, recording one goal, as the team lost in the semi finals to the eventual champions the University of Massachusetts Minutemen. [14] At the conclusion of the season, Koepke was again named to the first-team all-NCHC [13] and a Hobey Baker Award nominee. [15]

Professional

Koepke officially concluded his collegiate career by signing a two-year entry-level contract with the Lightning on April 13, 2021. [16] Following the signing, he joined their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, for the remainder of the season. In his second game with the Crunch, Koepke scored his first professional goal in a 7–1 win over the Utica Comets. [17]

On October 11, 2022, Koepke made his NHL debut with the Lightning. Koepke skated on the Lightning's third line in a loss to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. [18] [19] Following the on-ice death of his friend Adam Johnson on October 28, 2023, Koepke opted to wear a neck guard. [20]

Following four seasons within the Lightning organization, Koepke left as a free agent and was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Boston Bruins on July 1, 2024. [21]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2013–14Hermantown High USHS 251711281230220
2014–15Hermantown HighUSHS251719361233360
2015–16Hermantown HighUSHS243122532334040
2015–16 Minnesota Wilderness NAHL 9213480004
2016–17 Sioux City Musketeers USHL 2232519—————
2017–18 Sioux City MusketeersUSHL6028113934—————
2018–19 U. of Minnesota-Duluth NCHC 427121914—————
2019–20 U. of Minnesota-DuluthNCHC3416173316—————
2020–21 U. of Minnesota-DuluthNCHC281582322—————
2020–21 Syracuse Crunch AHL 92132—————
2021–22 Syracuse CrunchAHL692019395552130
2022–23 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 171012—————
2022–23 Syracuse CrunchAHL52712192350332
2023–24 Syracuse CrunchAHL532019391484040
2023–24 Tampa Bay LightningNHL90220—————
NHL totals261232—————

Related Research Articles

Scott Alan Sandelin is an American former professional ice hockey player. He is currently the head coach of the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey team. In 2011, he became the first coach in Bulldog history to lead them to a national title, in a 3–2 overtime game against the University of Michigan at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. In the 2018 NCAAs, he led the Bulldogs to a second national title, over Notre Dame 2–1, also played at the Xcel Energy Center. The following season, in the 2019 NCAAs, he led the Bulldogs to a third national title. Sandelin grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota, where he went on to be drafted in the second round by the Montreal Canadiens and play collegiate hockey for the North Dakota Fighting Sioux.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey</span> College ice hockey team

The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey team is an NCAA Division I college ice hockey program that represents the University of Minnesota Duluth. The Bulldogs are a member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). The team plays home games at the 6,800-seat AMSOIL Arena at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danton Heinen</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1995)

Danton Heinen is a Canadian professional ice hockey left wing who is currently playing for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Boston Bruins in the fourth round, 116th overall, of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Dominic Toninato is an American professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Manitoba Moose in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the fifth round, 126th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neal Pionk</span> American ice hockey player (born 1995)

Neal Robert Pionk is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). An undrafted player, Pionk was signed by the New York Rangers as a college free agent from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Anderson</span> American ice hockey player (born 1998)

Joseph Thomas Anderson is an American professional ice hockey forward for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karson Kuhlman</span> American ice hockey player (born 1995)

Karson Kuhlman is an American professional ice hockey center for Lukko of the Liiga. He has previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Boston Bruins, Seattle Kraken and Winnipeg Jets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Perunovich</span> American ice hockey player

Scott Douglas Perunovich is an American professional ice hockey defenceman for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Blues in the second round, 45th overall, in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Johnson (ice hockey)</span> American ice hockey player (1994–2023)

Adam Robert Johnson was an American professional ice hockey forward. He played 13 games in the National Hockey League with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons. He also played in Europe with the Malmö Redhawks, Augsburger Panther, and Nottingham Panthers. Johnson was killed after having his neck cut by Matt Petgrave's skate blade in an on-ice collision, causing him to bleed out.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019–20 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey season</span> College ice hockey team season

The 2019–20 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey season was the 76th season of play for the program and the 7th in the NCHC conference. The Bulldogs represented the University of Minnesota Duluth and were coached by Scott Sandelin, in his 20th season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hunter Shepard</span> American ice hockey player

Hunter Markus Shepard is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing with the Hershey Bears in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020–21 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey season</span> College ice hockey team season

The 2020–21 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey season was the 77th season of play for the program and the 8th in the NCHC conference. The Bulldogs represented the University of Minnesota Duluth and were coached by Scott Sandelin, in his 21st season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021–22 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey season</span> College ice hockey team season

The 2021–22 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey season was the 78th season of play for the program. They represented the University of Minnesota Duluth in the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season and for the 9th season in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). The Bulldogs were coached by Scott Sandelin, in his 22nd season, and played their home games at AMSOIL Arena.

The 2020–21 NCHC season was the 8th season of play for National Collegiate Hockey Conference and took place during the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season. The start of the season was delayed until December 1, 2020 and concluded on April 10, 2021. St. Cloud State made its first championship appearance, finishing as the national runner-up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dylan Samberg</span> American ice hockey player (born 1999)

Dylan Michael Samberg is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Noah Cates is an American professional ice hockey left wing currently playing for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers drafted Cates 137th overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Ryan Fanti is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League (AHL). He played college ice hockey for Minnesota Duluth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mikey Eyssimont</span> American ice hockey player (born 1996)

Michael Eyssimont is an American professional ice hockey forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the fifth round, 142nd overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2016 NHL entry draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022–23 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey season</span> College ice hockey team season

The 2022–23 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey season was the 79th season of play for the program and 10th in the NCHC. The Bulldogs represented the University of Minnesota Duluth in the 2022–23 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season were coached by Scott Sandelin in his 23rd season and played their home games at AMSOIL Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023–24 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey season</span> College ice hockey team season

The 2023–24 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey season was the 80th season of play for the program and 11th in the NCHC. The Bulldogs represented the University of Minnesota Duluth in the 2023–24 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, played their home games at AMSOIL Arena and were coached by Scott Sandelin in his 24th season.

References

  1. 1 2 "Cole Koepke". eliteprospects.com. Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "Cole Koepke". umdbulldogs.com. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Northern Star: Hawks' Cole Koepke". Fox 21. January 11, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  4. ↑ Kalra, Avash (February 12, 2021). "Koepke, Duluth Pick Up Momentum". College Hockey News. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  5. ↑ Wellens, Matt (March 5, 2020). "Confident Koepke scoring for UMD like he did at Hermantown". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  6. ↑ Giese, Jerry (October 5, 2017). "Koepke healthy and hungry to contribute". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  7. 1 2 Burns, Bryan (June 23, 2018). "Lightning select LW Cole Koepke in sixth round". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  8. ↑ "2018 NHL Draft Profile: Cole Koepke". USHL. June 7, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Lightning announce 2018 Development Camp roster". National Hockey League. June 24, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  10. ↑ Burns, Bryan (June 26, 2019). "Koepke's confidence high coming off national championship season". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  11. ↑ "ALL-AMERICAN STATUS BESTOWED ON QUARTET OF BULLDOGS". University of Minnesota Duluth. April 11, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  12. ↑ Divver, Mark (April 17, 2020). "On Campus: 10 impact players for 2020-21 season". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  13. 1 2 "BULLDOG QUARTET NAMED TO 2020-21 ALL-NCHC TEAMS". University of Minnesota Duluth. March 8, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  14. ↑ "BULLDOGS' QUEST FOR A THIRD CONSECUTIVE NCAA TITLE COMES UP SHORT AT THE HANDS OF UMASS". University of Minnesota Duluth. April 9, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Trio of Bulldogs announced as Hobey Baker Award nominees". WDIO. February 1, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Lightning sign forward Cole Koepke to two-year contract". National Hockey League. April 13, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Bulldogs Report: Hermantown's Koepke scores first pro goal with Syracuse Crunch". Duluth News Tribune. April 25, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021. "Cole Koepke Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  18. ↑ "Lightning's Cole Koepke: Makes NHL team". Cbssports.com. October 9, 2022. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Lightning Round: Cole Koepke makes NHL debut". rawcharge.com. October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Lightning's Cole Koepke wears neck guard following Adam Johnson's death". CBS Minnesota . November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Bruins announce July 1 transactions". Boston Bruins. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.