F Cole McKinney - Chicago Mission, U15 AAA (2025 Draft)

[GermanSpitfire]

Cole McKinney - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Cole McKinney, 2007-03-16 Chicago, IL, USA USA. Most recently in the NTDP with U.S. National U18 Team. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Very good two-way forward already at his age - McKinney has a high hockey IQ that is demonstrated many times throughout games with how he smart he positions himself in both the offensive and defensive zones. Cole has a Relentless motor that he uses to forecheck and backcheck, annoying the opposition in the process. He is a jack of all trades type of player and should be a shoo-in for the NTDP next season. A guy I’m def exited for going forward

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[GermanSpitfire]

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Invited to the NTDP Camp.

 

[Torts]

Any insight or prediction on where he'll commit for college? Or maybe interest in CHL after the U17 NTDP season? I recall seeing on Twitter he visited Yost this season for a Michigan game.

 

[William H Bonney]

Any insight or prediction on where he'll commit for college? Or maybe interest in CHL after the U17 NTDP season? I recall seeing on Twitter he visited Yost this season for a Michigan game.

He committed to Michigan today.

 

[clevelandcane]

Good start for the Wolverines.

 

[Torts]

Go Blue! Great recruit for Michigan to get this early in the cycle.

 

[William H Bonney]

He had a slow start to his NTDP career with 1 assist in his first 4 games but he's scored a goal in each of his last 4 games. It's so hard to get a solid read on the U17 players this early in the season as it takes them quite awhile get to a point where they aren't overwhelmed by the USHL competition.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

He's the best defensive player on the 17's, forward or defenseman. Dude has an amazing defensive game. I think you have to think long and hard to find a better defensive forward from the NTDP over the years. I seriously think he could play 4th line role in the NHL right now. He's so defensively responsible. He's got all the details down in his defensive game. Always knows where to be. Most of the good defensive players at this stage of their progression are good based on effort and don't know the tactics of defense. He definitely knows the tactics. Always first guy over the boards to take a face-off on the PK. Terrific PK'er. Great on FO's. Must be winning them at 60%+. He's one of those players where you say he'll probably be a Selke contender, as long as he scores enough to be top 6 (because you can't really be a Selke contender as bottom 6).

The offensive game is maybe B+. He's got some shifts where you see the skill of Potter, Fondrk, or Mooney, but I don't think he has the same puck game as those guys to pull it off all the time and I think he tries to play less of a flashy game to lean into his defensive ability. I think though that there's very reasonable 50-80 point upside in his best seasons.

The skating is what I'm unsure about. I think his stride is very choppy. He needs improvement there, but I think he has good speed, if that makes any type of sense. Very powerful skating stride too.

He's a top 3-5 forward for this NTDP age group. Depending on how much you value his defensive game, if he can iron out his stride, and his offensive progression, I think top 15-20 is possible. But he could also be more of a second rounder.

 

[Celebrini71]

He's the best defensive player on the 17's, forward or defenseman. Dude has an amazing defensive game. I think you have to think long and hard to find a better defensive forward from the NTDP over the years. I seriously think he could play 4th line role in the NHL right now. He's so defensively responsible. He's got all the details down in his defensive game. Always knows where to be. Most of the good defensive players at this stage of their progression are good based on effort and don't know the tactics of defense. He definitely knows the tactics. Always first guy over the boards to take a face-off on the PK. Terrific PK'er. Great on FO's. Must be winning them at 60%+. He's one of those players where you say he'll probably be a Selke contender, as long as he scores enough to be top 6 (because you can't really be a Selke contender as bottom 6).

The offensive game is maybe B+. He's got some shifts where you see the skill of Potter, Fondrk, or Mooney, but I don't think he has the same puck game as those guys to pull it off all the time and I think he tries to play less of a flashy game to lean into his defensive ability. I think though that there's very reasonable 50-80 point upside in his best seasons.

The skating is what I'm unsure about. I think his stride is very choppy. He needs improvement there, but I think he has good speed, if that makes any type of sense. Very powerful skating stride too.

He's a top 3-5 forward for this NTDP age group. Depending on how much you value his defensive game, if he can iron out his stride, and his offensive progression, I think top 15-20 is possible. But he could also be more of a second rounder.

NHL Comp?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

NHL Comp?

Right-handed Danault.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Wrapped up the recent U17 tournament in Czechia leading the US team in scoring with 2+5 in 7 games. Had 57.5 FO%. Believe he took like 26 more FO’s than any other US player. Led the team in forward TOI per game also.

Will be interesting to see if he gets promoted to the 18’s. Promotions are supposed to happen very soon.

 

[Ryan Van Horne]

Wrapped up the recent U17 tournament in Czechia leading the US team in scoring with 2+5 in 7 games. Had 57.5 FO%. Believe he took like 26 more FO’s than any other US player. Led the team in forward TOI per game also.

Will be interesting to see if he gets promoted to the 18’s. Promotions are supposed to happen very soon.

Started comeback with goal and assisted on game-tying and winning goals. Clutch.

With his defensive acumen and faceoof skills, he'll make a great depth add to U18s. Can play on bottom two lines and still contribute.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

He's a tough player to really buy into at the junior level because he's like the antithesis of what junior hockey is, which is often pond hockey.

He's literally always on the right side of the puck. They sometimes will move him to winger because they try to get center reps for a lot of guys who are probably natural centers. It looks so weird because he's babysitting his center defensively and covering their responsibilities.

His skating needs work. He doesn't have much speed, but he plays with a hunched powerful stride, so acceleration isn't his game.

His offense isn't going to be the selling point, but he does make some nice creative touches to teammates. The actual passing accuracy on his forehand needs work. He misplays too many passes.

I think he's a first rounder, but I'm not sure I see true offensive qualities for top 10, and mid first could also be questionable. Somewhere mid/late first is what I'm thinking.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Getting his first game with the 18's today.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Goal in his second game. Was on the fourth line today. If he sticks, that'll probably be his spot or 13F.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Won 63% (17/27) of his faceoffs against college kids this weekend. Was the best of the centers for the 18’s this weekend on faceoffs. Has been playing a 4C role the last couple of games.

 

[Briser la glace]

For me the skating is definitely the big question mark here, and I'm glad to read I'm not the only one thinking that. I read other reports saying he is "a good skater" or an "above-average skater", and that's not what I see.

He is very good defensively, has great character, and is dangerous around the net. The ceiling may not be high, but he is an interesting candidate for a bottom-6 role... but at 6'0 "only", with a below-average skating, I don't know what to think... yet.

He has the profile to be one of my favorite prospects outside the top-15 this year, but it all depends on how he can improve his skating this season.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Didn't grow in the measurements. 6'0 192 to 6'0 199. He's probably going to play at at least 6'0 200+ in the NHL. Plays a heavy style of game, but is 6'0 tall enough for what his skating is or does he grow taller in the next 10 months or improve his skating?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Has more skill than he gets credit for. He’s more than only a very good checker. Don’t see why he can’t be a late first round pick.

 

[jtechkid]

I think him or murtaughor both will go late first round in my view .

 

[SK94]

Is he going to be the biggest riser from this year's NTPD?

 

[jtechkid]

I think him or murtaugh are lot better than Moore and have more grit to their game . hes safe pick but im concerned with his upside because he doesnt do anything great, just a really solid player but i think hes going first round .

 

[MichaelFarrell]

Is he going to be the biggest riser from this year's NTPD?

I’ve had him firmly as the best player on the USNDTP since September. I think McKinney’s overall game is really good.

Moore, Mooney, and Threthewey are not players I’d even consider taking in the first round.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Is he going to be the biggest riser from this year's NTPD?

Murtagh most likely. I think McKinney has had a solid season, but it seems more like he’s validated the initial belief than changed views of him in a positive way.

Murtagh didn’t have the same reputation, so there was more room for improvement relative to draft position, although I actually felt like it was there last season with Murtagh and a lot of people didn’t pay good enough attention.