Cole Koepke

Lore & Background

Koepke began playing ice hockey after watching his older brother Travis play. At Hermantown High School, he played defence on the varsity soccer team and served as a senior assistant team captain when the hockey team won the 2015–16 Minnesota State High School Class A title, scoring four goals and two assists in the quarterfinals and finishing the tournament with 11 points. He then played two seasons with the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL, serving as an assistant captain for one season. As a rookie he recorded five points in 22 games before a knee injury sidelined him. In the 2017–18 season he signed a letter of intent with the University of Minnesota Duluth, was ranked 215th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, and concluded the season with 28 goals and 39 points in 60 games before being drafted by the Lightning.

At Minnesota Duluth, Koepke often skated on the left wing with Parker Mackay and Justin Richards, recording 19 points as a rookie and helping the Bulldogs win their second consecutive national championship. As a sophomore he led the NCHC in goals, ended with 33 points in 34 games, and earned first-team all-NCHC and second-team All-American honors. As a junior assistant captain he led the team in shots (115) and finished second in goals, helping the Bulldogs reach the NCAA Frozen Four, where they lost to eventual champions UMass. He was again named first-team all-NCHC and a Hobey Baker Award nominee.

Koepke signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Lightning on April 13, 2021 and joined their AHL affiliate Syracuse Crunch, scoring his first professional goal in his second game. He made his NHL debut on October 11, 2022, skating on the third line in a loss to the New York Rangers. He scored his first NHL goal on November 13 against the Washington Capitals, his only point in that stint before being sent back to the Crunch. In the 2023–24 season he was called up early, and after the on-ice death of his friend Adam Johnson on October 28, 2023, he opted to wear a neck guard. He had two assists in nine NHL games that season. He left the Lightning as a free agent and signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Boston Bruins on July 1, 2024. After an impressive preseason he made the opening night NHL roster for the first time, had his first career multi-point game (goal and two assists) against the Montreal Canadiens, and played his first full NHL season, scoring ten goals and seven assists in 73 games. On March 8, 2025 he had his first multi-goal game, scoring twice against his former team the Lightning. As a free agent he signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets on July 1, 2025.

Reader's Guide

Cole Koepke's career illustrates a path from a Minnesota high school state champion through the USHL and NCAA to the NHL. Drafted in the sixth round by the Tampa Bay Lightning, he developed at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he won a national championship, led the NCHC in goals, and earned all-conference and All-American honors. His professional journey included time with the Lightning's AHL affiliate and brief NHL stints before he signed with the Boston Bruins, where he finally secured a full NHL season and recorded his first multi-goal game against his former team. His signing with the Winnipeg Jets in 2025 marked a new chapter. Koepke's career is notable for his persistence through injury and limited NHL opportunities, his decision to wear a neck guard following a friend's death, and his eventual establishment as a regular NHL player. His collegiate success and steady professional progression highlight his adaptability and resilience.

Did You Know?

• He scored four goals and two assists in the 2015–16 Minnesota state quarterfinals.
• He led the NCHC in goals during his sophomore season at Minnesota Duluth.