Cole McKinney

Cole McKinney is an American ice hockey center for the U.S. National Development Team of the United States Hockey League. McKinney was drafted 53rd overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2025 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

McKinney played two years with the U.S. National Development Team. During the 2024–25 season, in his draft-eligible year, he led the team in scoring with 61 points. He recorded 27 goals and 34 assists in 60 games with the under-18 team, and added 15 goals and 11 assists in 23 games with the NTDP in the USHL. He was drafted in the second round, 53rd overall, by the San Jose Sharks in the 2025 NHL entry draft.
He is committed to play college ice hockey at Michigan.

International play

McKinney represented the United States at the 2025 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he ranked third on the team in scoring with three goals and two assists in seven games and won a bronze medal.
On December 24 2025, McKinney was named to the United States men's national junior ice hockey team to compete at the 2026 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. During the tournament he recorded one assist in five games, and was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Finland.