Cole Bradley Hults (born May 22, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for HC Bolzano in the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL).[1] Hults was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the fifth round, 134th overall, of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Cole Hults
Born (1998-05-22) May 22, 1998 (age 26)
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Left
ICEHL team
Former teams
HC Bolzano
Ontario Reign
Tucson Roadrunners
HKM Zvolen
NHL draft 134th overall, 2017
Los Angeles Kings
Playing career 2021–present

Playing career

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He played college hockey at Pennsylvania State University and was named to the Second All-AHCA Team after his junior season.[2] Hults was selected 134th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. On April 11, 2020, Hults signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Kings, forgoing his senior season at Penn State.[3]

In his first professional season, Hults was assigned by the Kings to AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, for the shortened 2020–21 season. He made 19 appearances on the blueline for the Reign, collecting 1 goal and 5 points.

On July 24, 2021, Hults was traded by the Kings, along with Bokondji Imama, to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Brayden Burke and Tyler Steenbergen.[4]

Hults played one season within the Coyotes organization before leaving as a free agent to sign a one-year contract with Italian club, HC Bolzano of the ICEHL, on August 3, 2022. In signing with Bolzano, Hults joined his brother Mitch at the club.[5]

Career statistics

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2014–15 Madison Capitols USHL 9 0 2 2 29
2015–16 Madison Capitols USHL 54 0 8 8 65
2016–17 Madison Capitols USHL 59 6 26 32 112
2017–18 Penn State B1G 38 3 17 20 43
2018–19 Penn State B1G 39 6 22 28 24
2019–20 Penn State B1G 34 8 22 30 18
2020–21 Ontario Reign AHL 19 1 4 5 5
2021–22 Tucson Roadrunners AHL 54 7 10 17 34
2022–23 HC Bolzano ICEHL 45 3 26 29 33 19 2 4 6 16
2023–24 HKM Zvolen Slovak 50 9 27 36 35 10 0 3 3 6
AHL totals 73 8 14 22 39

Awards and honors

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Award Year Ref
College
AHCA Second Team All-American 2020 [2]
Big Ten Player of the Year 2020 [6]
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year 2020
All-Big Ten First Team 2020

References

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  1. ^ "Cole Hults at eliteprospects.com". eliteprospects.com.
  2. ^ a b "Men's CCM/AHCA Hockey Division I All-Americans Announced". ahcahockey.com. April 11, 2020. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  3. ^ "Cole Hults signs entry-level contract with LA Kings". Los Angeles Kings. April 12, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  4. ^ "Coyotes acquire Hults, Imama from Kings". Arizona Coyotes. July 24, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  5. ^ "Another Hults for HCB" (in Italian). HC Bolzano. August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  6. ^ "Hockey Postseason Honors Announced". Big Ten Conference. May 11, 2020. Archived from the original on May 13, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Big Ten Player of the Year
2019–20
Succeeded by
Preceded by Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
2019–20
Succeeded by