Ian Cole is now a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, but until the new season begins, he remains one of two players to have skated in every Utah Mammoth game.
Cole had nothing but positive remarks about his time in the Beehive State.
“It was a huge honor to be in Utah, and obviously start from the ground up with the team,” he told the Deseret News on Wednesday.
“... It was a great experience, and it was one that I’ll always look back on with very fond memories. I’ll cherish it, 100%.”
He noted his appreciation for his former teammates, management and ownership, noting that it was a “very tough decision” to move on — but that’s the business aspect of professional sports.
Cole, 37, is poised to take on a leadership role on a young Blackhawks team. Not only is he the only member of the defensive corps born in the 1980s, he’s also the only one born in the 20th Century.
The Blackhawks’ next-oldest defenseman is Alex Vlasic, who just turned 25.
“(I) just want to step in and try to help everybody grow and become better players as best I can,” he 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-end NHL defensemen.”
Most players start to slow down around Cole’s age, but his stock has only increased.
Last year, he played the fourth-most minutes in his 16-season NHL career. If he plays at least 70 games this season, he’ll hit all of his performance bonuses, meaning he’ll be paid more than ever before.
“If I can handle my business and bring a consistent product, night after night, it’s something that the coaches and teammates can rely on,” Cole said.
“... If I can play how I’ve played and continue to do what I do, I think I’m still a huge asset to a team.”
Cole sits 10 games shy of the 1,000 mark — a big deal in the NHL. When a player hits the milestone, he is presented with a silver stick in a pregame ceremony.
