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

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

He checks a box the Blackhawks wanted to add: stability. Someone with the necessary experience to help their young defense team.

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

Read more about Cole.

Cole Expresses Excitement About Blackhawks Chances

When the Blackhawks signed Cole in free agency on July 1, general manager Kyle Davidson talked about his experience, penalty kill, and composure he could bring to a young defense.

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

“It’s a great team, a great organization… the Original Six team that I think everybody, you know, especially who grew up in Detroit and the Wings, like everybody puts those teams up a little bit. So, it’s a lot of fun there. And, like I said, (they have) a lot of energy on this team. So… something that 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 different situations. He won two Stanley Cups and was a part of growing teams, like the one he just came out of – the Utah Mammoth. He explained his knowledge and leadership style,

“I’ve been lucky enough to be on a lot of teams, a lot of different people in the room. You know, the last few years in Utah, kind of the same way that the Blackhawks are. Maybe, you know, the last few years, and a lot of young players, a lot of talented, fast, talented players, and I think trying to increase that is increasing what it can) be.

How will that work? I’m sure it will vary from person to person, personality to personality. I don’t think there’s one way to sleep on it, and I think…like coming to town, getting to know our teammates, getting to know each guy individually, and you know…getting on the same page, and definitely, we’re all there for the same goal, like winning hockey games. Be a competitive hockey team, make the playoffs, like going back to the Chicago Blackhawks that I grew up with, you know, in the early 2000s and early 2010s… where, you know, one of the best places, one of the best teams ever, and that’s kind of where my head is at. It’s like, ‘Hey, how do we get back to that place?’

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

“I would say very, very high energy there, for sure. After playing against some of these guys, I met Bo (Byram) briefly in Colorado when he was a freshman. (He seems) like a very good kid. From what I hear from other guys, (they) seem like very good guys. I just want to step in and try to help everyone grow and get to know the team better, like I know how to get the team better. One by one, and find the best way to communicate and talk to them, and watch these guys hopefully they will flourish of these elite NHL defensemen.”

Cole Wants to Play Power and Help the Blackhawks Own Theirs

Speaking of his new teammates, he messaged Teuvo Teräväinen, his former teammate with the Carolina Hurricanes, and both expressed happiness at being reunited. He also knew Landon Slaggert for a very long time, as Slaggert’s father traded Cole to Notre Dame.

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

Cole shared the same mindset with Bedard as he did on defense, wanting to help him succeed, saying, “When you’ve got a guy of that high, high-level talent, you want to try to promote that and help those guys get into their most advantageous positions, right? So, thinking about where he wants to be, where he wants the puck, how he wants the puck, you know maybe a little thing that I’m going to get later on… that I expected, but it’s something that I’m 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 tell that Cole could have the same impact. But the 37-year-old is motivated to play to his strengths. That in part, “…If I can play the way I played and continue to do what I’m doing, I think I can still be a great asset to the team, and then, like I said, continue to grow with my teammates.”

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

Cole’s other powers include the aforementioned penalty execution. He cited the Hawks’ strong penalty kill last season and hopes they continue. And the most important feature for the Blackhawks- being able to play off side. He said he’s played about half his career on the right, so he’s “very comfortable” with it. He is also known for his durability, since he has played all 82 games in the last two seasons. That includes.

All in all, the Blackhawks see Cole helping them a lot this season, and he seems poised to do so. They believe in the players they develop and what they can be, and Cole does.