Tampa Bay Lightning swoop in to grab University Of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs‘ junior left wing Cole Koepke(45) to a 2-year entry level deal, starting immediately.
He was a 6th round pick in the 2018 draft (#183 overall).
The 6’1″ 195 lbs. forward put up very decent numbers through 3 years of college hockey with 16 goals as a sophomore and 15 last season, plus an overall +31 rating.
He seemed to struggle a bit in his first session for Sioux City Musketeers but found his footing in the 2nd frame as an assistant captain, grabbing a junior level high 28 goals and 11 assists for 39 points.
His college commitment would come after an explosive year at Hermantown, MN High, where he was a 2-point per game player.
It looks as though the 22-year old will report to affiliate Syracuse Crunch and should be able to prove his worth in the AHL.
He would play a 52-game slate in the minors, scoring 7 goals and 12 assists, then adding another 3 helpers in 5 playoff matchups, but would also get to appear in 17 games with the big club, recording a 1st NHL goal for himself.
For his efforts, he is rewarded with a 1-year, 2-way deal in 2023/2024.
He plays 73 games last season with 10 goals and 7 assists with a +1 rating, but is an unrestricted free agent and accepts a 1-year $1M deal with Winnipeg Jets and has 1 assist in 10 contests.