Cole Koepke was born on May 17, 1998, in Hermantown, Minnesota. Koepke played three seasons of high school hockey at Hermantown High and scored 65 goals with 52 assists in 74 total regular season games. In this third year during the 2015-16 season, the forward was an assistant captain and totaled ten goals and five assists in six playoff games. Koepke played nine games with the Minnesota Wilderness of the North American Hockey League that year as well.
Before the 2016-17 season, the left-shot winger was drafted 24th overall in the second round of the United States Hockey League Draft by the Sioux City Musketeers and played 22 games with three goals and two assists. The next season, Koepke was an assistant captain and registered 28 goals and 11 assists in 60 games. At the end of his second season, Koepke committed to The University of Minnesota to play collegiate hockey.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound forward played three seasons with the Golden Gophers and collected 38 goals and 37 assists in 104 career games. Koepke was an assistant captain again in his third year with the club. Minnesota won the National Championship his first season and Koepke was First Team All-Star in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference in his sophomore season.
The Tampa Bay Lightning Selects Cole Koepke in the Sixth Round of the 2018 NHL Draft.
Cole Koepke was drafted by Tampa Bay with the 183rd overall pick in the sixth round of the 2018 NHL Draft. The book on Koepke entering the draft was excellent goal-scoring instincts. His combination of shot versatility and ability to get himself into scoring position allows him to score in a number of different ways. Koepke is an explosive skater with high-end top speed. His size, along with his ability to play with speed with the puck, is an asset offensively. Upon signing his entry-level contract, Koepke played nine games with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League and scored two goals with one assist. The next season, Koepke contributed 20 goals and 19 assists in 69 games.
Cole Koepke’s NHL Debut to Today
Koepke made his NHL debut with the Lightning on October 11, 2022, against the New York Rangers at Madison Garden, playing 7:51 of ice time over 12 shifts with one hit and one shot on net. Koepke scored his first NHL goal on November 13 of that season against the Washington Capitals at home. After another 20-goal season with the Crunch during the 2023-24 season, Koepke became a free agent, signed with the Boston Bruins, and made the NHL roster.
