Meet the New Chicago Blackhawks: Ian Cole – The Hockey Writers – Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks have made some new additions to their roster this summer, one of them being veteran defenseman Ian Cole.

He checks a box that the Blackhawks wanted to add: stability. Someone with the needed experience to help their young defense group.

The media met with Cole and other fellow newcomer, Cole Smith (more on him later), this week on Zoom to discuss their additions to the Blackhawks.

Here is more about Cole.

Cole Expresses Excitement About Blackhawks’ Potential

When the Blackhawks signed Cole in free agency on July 1, general manager Kyle Davidson mentioned his experience, penalty kill, and the calm he can bring to the young defense.

Cole wants to help. He sees the potential there, and it all came together regarding his decision to sign with Chicago,

“It’s a great team, great organization… an Original Six team that I think everyone, you know, especially growing up in Detroit with the Wings, like everyone kind of puts those teams up on a bit of a pedestal. So, very exciting there. Then, like I said, (they) have a lot of potential on this team. So… something I can help grow and help this team win hockey games.”

The Blackhawks are his 10th NHL team, and he has been a part of varying situations. He has won two Stanley Cups and been a part of growing teams, like the one he just came from- the Utah Mammoth. He expounded on his experience and leadership style,

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be on a lot of teams, a lot of different demographics in the room. You know, the last couple years in Utah, kind of very similar trajectory to kind of where the Blackhawks are. Maybe, you know, a couple years back, and a lot of young guys, a lot of talented, fast, skilled players, and I think just trying to maximize (all that) potential, I think is kind of what the mentality is going to be.

How that’s going to work? I’m sure it’s going to differ from person to person, personality to personality. I don’t think there’s one blanket approach to it, and I think it’s… like, getting to town, get to know the teammates, get to know each guy individually, and you know… get on the same page, and certainly, we’re all there for the same thing, which is like, win hockey games. Be a competitive hockey team, make the playoffs, like get back to the Chicago Blackhawks that I grew up with, you know, in the early 2000’s and early 2010’s… where, you know, it’s one of the best places, one of the best teams perennially, and that’s kind of where my head’s at. It’s like, ‘Hey, how do we get back to that spot?”

When it comes to the Blackhawks’ defense, Cole is eager to see what they can become,

“I would say very, very high-end potential there, for sure. After playing against some of these guys, I crossed paths with Bo (Byram) very briefly in Colorado when he was just starting out. (He) seems like an awesome kid. From what I hear about the other guys, (they) seem like awesome guys. I just want to step in and try to help everybody grow and become a better player as best I can. Like I said, get to know the teammates, get to know each one individually, and figure out how best to communicate and talk to them, and watch these guys hopefully flourish into these high, high-end NHL defensemen.”

Cole Wants to Play to Strengths & Help Blackhawks With Theirs

Speaking of his new teammates, he texted with Teuvo Teräväinen, who was his teammate with the Carolina Hurricanes, and both expressed excitement about being reunited. He has also known Landon Slaggert for a very long time, as Slaggert’s dad was selling Cole on Notre Dame.

He also mentioned texting with Connor Bedard and looking forward to playing with him when Bedard returns from shoulder surgery (estimated recovery timeline: 4 months).

Cole had the same mindset with Bedard as he does for the defense, wanting to help him succeed, saying, “When you have someone of that superb high, high-end talent, you want to try to foster that and help those guys get in their most advantageous positions, right? So, figuring out where he wants to be, where he wants the puck, how he wants the puck, you know, is something that I’m going to try to figure out… maybe a little later than anticipated, but something that I’m very much looking forward to.”

Last season, head coach Jeff Blashill talked about the “Papa Bears” on the team, referring to guys like Nick Foligno and Connor Murphy, and you can say Cole might have a similar impact. But the 37-year-old is motivated to play to his own strengths, too. Saying in part, “…If I can play how I played and continue to do what I do, I think I’m still a huge asset to a team, and then, like I said, continuing to grow with my teammates.”

[For reference, he had 23 points and was a plus-16 in 82 games last season]

Some of Cole’s strengths include the aforementioned penalty kill. He pointed out the Hawks’ strong penalty kill last season and hopes to keep it up. And an aspect very important to the Blackhawks- being able to play his off side. He stated he played about half his career on the right side, so he’s “very comfortable” with it. He was also asked about his durability, since he has played all 82 games the past two seasons. That’s a plus.

Overall, the Blackhawks envision Cole helping them a lot this season, and he seems ready to do so. They believe in the players they are developing and what they could be, and Cole does, too.