Cole McKinney

Cole McKinney
Born (2007-03-16) March 16, 2007 (age 19)
Lake Forest, Illinois, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 203 lb (92 kg; 14 st 7 lb)
Position Center
Shoots Right
NCAA team Michigan
NHL draft 53rd overall, 2025
San Jose Sharks

Cole McKinney (born March 16, 2007) is an American college ice hockey center for the Michigan Wolverines of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). He was drafted 53rd overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2025 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

McKinney played two years with the U.S. National Development Team (NTDP). During the 2024–25 season, in his draft-eligible year, he led the team in scoring with 61 points. He recorded 27 goals and 34 assists in 60 games with the under-18 team, and added 15 goals and 11 assists in 23 games with the NTDP in the USHL. He was drafted in the second round, 53rd overall, by the San Jose Sharks in the 2025 NHL entry draft.

On August 9, 2023, he committed to play college ice hockey at Michigan. During the 2025–26 season, in his freshman year, he recorded eight goals and 12 assists in 40 games. He recorded his first career goal and assist in the season opener against Mercyhurst on October 3, 2025.

International play

Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
World U18 Championships
Bronze medal – third place2025 United States

McKinney represented the United States at the 2025 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he ranked third on the team in scoring with three goals and two assists in seven games and won a bronze medal.

On December 24 2025, McKinney was named to the United States men's national junior ice hockey team to compete at the 2026 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. During the tournament he recorded one assist in five games, and was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Finland.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2023–24 U.S. National Development Team USHL 34 6 5 11 16 — — — — —
2024–25 U.S. National Development Team USHL 23 15 11 26 18 — — — — —
2025–26 University of Michigan B1G 40 8 12 20 28 — — — — —
NCAA totals 40 8 12 20 28 — — — — —

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2025 United States U18 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 7 3 2 5 2
2026 United States WJC 5th 5 0 1 1 2
Junior totals 12 3 3 6 4

References

  1. ↑ Pope, Ben (June 1, 2025). "Chicago-area kids Cole McKinney, Asher Barnett carrying hockey friendship into and beyond NHL Draft". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  2. ↑ Zuke, Ryan (June 28, 2025). "2025 NHL draft: Cole McKinney becomes second incoming Wolverine selected in 2nd round". MLive.com. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  3. ↑ Mielke, Mackenzie (June 28, 2025). "Cole McKinney picked by San Jose Sharks at No. 53 overall in the NHL Draft". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Cole McKinney Commits to Michigan". chicagomission.com. August 9, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  5. ↑ "These Wolverines, Spartans are expected to be picked in NHL Draft". Detroit Free Press. June 26, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Cole McKinney". MGoBlue.com. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
  7. ↑ McNeil, Kristy (May 6, 2025). "Four Wolverines Win Bronze Medal at U18 World Championship". MGoBlue.com. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  8. ↑ Jurewicz, Chris (May 3, 2025). "USA wins OT thriller for bronze". IIHF.com. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  9. ↑ "USA Hockey reveals 25-man roster for 2026 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, featuring 21 current NCAA hockey standouts". USCHO.com. December 24, 2025. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  10. ↑ Aykroyd, Lucas (January 3, 2026). "Finland ends U.S. reign in OT". IIHF.com. Retrieved January 5, 2026.