Tag: ian cole

EDMONTON, ALBERTA – Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ian Cole is a 10-year NHL veteran, two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and he already has one of the best beards in the 2020 NHL playoffs.

He also was kind enough to spend some time on his off day in the bubble answering questions from fans, submitted to ESPN.

So as the Avs prepare for the next game in their series against the Arizona Coyotes, let’s hear from Ian on how he’s combating boredom in the bubble, what the food is like, why it looks like he’s eating his jersey during warm-ups, and of course, the latest fashion choices from teammate Nikita Zadorov.

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Michael G: Do you mark your beard to figure out how much is a regular-season beard and how much is a playoff beard?

Cole: When you’re confident in your team, there is no difference between a regular-season beard and a playoff beard. But it is funny to see it grow. I pretty much trim it up or shave it before my headshot for the year, so it’s funny to look back and see a little bit of scruff or something, and right now it’s just … out of control.

DENVER, CO – Avalanche defenseman Ian Cole is “100 percent” for the reported NHL proposal to skip the end of the regular season and go directly into a 24-team playoff to award the Stanley Cup by late August or early September.

A two-time Cup champion with Pittsburgh Penguins, Cole would vote for any plan that gave him a shot at a third crown. And he knows the Avalanche is capable of winning its third Cup in 24 years.

“To be honest with you, I like to keep it simple: Whatever gets us back and playing, I’m 100 percent for. Whether that’s 16 teams, 24 teams — 30 teams, 31 teams — whatever gets us back and playing I’m 100 percent on board with,” Cole said in a phone interview with The Post.

DENVER, CO – Ian Cole was absent for the Colorado Avalanche’s first four games of the season as he was finishing his recovery from dual hip surgery in the offseason, but since his return on Oct. 14, Cole has provided the solid defense that he is known for and has chipped in offensively.

The veteran defenseman added to his point streak on Saturday at American Airlines Center as he scored his third goal of the season, but the Avalanche fell 3-2 in a shootout against the Dallas Stars.

The one point earned does give Colorado 50 on the season and makes it the second club in the Western Conference to reach the half-century mark. The Avs were playing their first shootout of the year, the last team in the league to play in a tiebreaker.

 

BOSTON, MA -Ian Cole made his NHL debut at the Boston Bruins on Nov. 6, 2010 and tonight he will play his 500th game in the league against the same opponent in the same building.

Through 499 outings, the Colorado Avalanche defenseman has recorded 22 goals and 100 assists, notching helper No. 100 on Nov. 30 in the Avs’ 7-3 win against the Chicago Blackhawks.

He was selected in the first round (18 overall) of the 2007 NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues and played his first 167 outings with the club before the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired him during the 2014-15 season.

DENVER, CO-  The Avalanche wasted no time signing defenseman Ian Cole in the first hour of the 2018 offseason, getting his name on a three-year, $12.75 million contract.

Six weeks into the season, that signing is paying dividends. Avs coach Jared Bednar credits Cole’s play and presence for the defense’s ability to rebound from a recent five-game slide in which the Avalanche allowed 25 goals, a negative skid snapped by Sunday’s 4-1 win in Edmonton.

DENVER, CO – When Ian Cole was considering his options in free agency, the defenseman liked what he saw in the Colorado Avalanche: speed, youth and most of all, potential.

DENVER, CO – Two-time Stanley Cup champion, veteran defenseman Ian Cole signed a 3 year, $4.25 million AAV contract with the Colorado Avalanche.

The 29-year-old defenseman had 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 67 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins last season. He had seven points (two goals, five assists) in 20 regular-season games with the Blue Jackets after he was acquired in a trade with the Penguins on Feb. 23, and had three assists in six Stanley Cup Playoff games.

“Ian has been a part of two (Stanley) Cup teams, brings leadership and a veteran presence to our blue line,” Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said. “He’s a strong puck-moving defenseman who is solid in his own zone and kills penalties. We are pleased to have him under contract for the next three years.”

The St. Louis Blues selected Cole in the first round (No. 18) of the 2007 NHL Draft. He has 97 points (20 goals, 77 assists) in 405 NHL games with the Blue Jackets, Penguins and Blues. Cole, who has 17 points (one goal, 16 assists) in 62 playoff games, won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017.

COLUMBUS, OH – Ian Cole was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets by the Ottawa Senators for forward prospect Nick Moutrey and a third-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Cole was traded to the Senators as part of a three-team deal that brought center Derick Brassard to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday.

“Columbus is a tremendous organization,” Cole told TSN. “They’re a great team that’s had a ton of success. I’m excited to get there and get going.”