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WCA ALUMNI COLE MCWARD
Emily Griege Staff Writer
Cole McWard is a part of the 2.6% of hockey players that make it to the Division One level. Men’s ice hockey has a very unique recruiting process compared to many other sports which requires most players looking to play at a high level in college to leave high school early.
Cole McWard was a stand out hockey player during his time at Westminster where he was a crucial part of the back-to-back state championship winning team. In order for Cole to chase his dreams of playing college hockey, he had to leave high school early to go play junior hockey for the Tri-City storm, a USHL team based out of Chicago.
The 2016-17 and 18-19 hockey seasons were the peak of the Westminster hockey program. The team was full of young talent and dedicated players. Among those players was Cole. In the 2017-18 regular season, Cole played in 14 games where he had 10 goals and 11 assists where he averaged a point and a half per game. He missed a few games during the season due to traveling for his club hockey team, but when he was at games, his presence was known. In the playoffs of the 17-18 season Cole had 11 points in 6 games and was a cruciall player in the team’s success.
Cole McWard takes a shot in the State Championship game Photo by 800 Sporting “Cole is a very special player and very easy to coach. His competition level was off the charts and he controlled the game every shift he was on the ice. He was also a perfect balance of humble and confi dent.” Said Coach Dean Penberthy.
In the 2017-18 season, the Westminster hockey team fi nished the year with a record of 11-9-4. The following season the team fi nished the year with a disappointing 6-11-3. The absence of Cole’s dynamic defense was a major factor of this rapid decline in success. At this time Cole was playing in his fi rst season with the TriCity Storm where he continued to play for the next four seasons.
The Tri-City storm is a USHL (United States Hockey League) juniors team. The USHL is the most well known junior league where the majority of high-end players get recruited to play college hockey. During his fi nal season with the Storm, he was named captain and had 33 points in 52 games which is impressive for a defenseman.
“His knowledge of the game in all aspects was very apparent during games, and he made it easier for everyone on the ice to play as effectively.” Said Jack Freeman, former teammate of McWard.
In 2022, Cole attended the New Jersey Devils development camp as a free agent. Getting invited to a development camp is a huge step for any player trying to crack their way into the NHL. With his success at Ohio state and after recently being named a big ten star of the week, Cole should continue to gain the attention of a few NHL teams.
Cole has been the most successful player to play on the Westminster hockey team in recent years. He contributed to the team as much as possible even though his club team was his priority. Cole’s contributions to the team set them apart from other teams and was a major factor in the team winning state.
WCA Alumni Cole McWard
Emily Griege Staff Writer
Cole McWard had always dreamed of becoming a professional hockey player. As a child growing up in Canada, he would spend hours every day practicing his stickhandling, shooting, and skating on the frozen pond behind his house. His parents, both of whom had played hockey at a high level, recognized his talent and passion for the game and did everything they could to support him.
When Cole was 14, he was recruited to play for a prestigious junior team in the Canadian Hockey League. The next several years were a whirlwind of long bus trips, early morning practices, and intense competition, but Cole loved every minute of it. He worked tirelessly to improve his skills and by the time he was 18, he was one of the top prospects in the league.
““Cole is a very special player and very easy to coach. His compete level was off the charts and he controlled the game every shift he was on the ice. He was also a perfect
balance of humble and confi dent.
- Said Head Coach Dean Penberthy
Cole McWard and Levi Wright talking between face offs at the State Championship game Photo by 800 Sporting
Cole was eventually selected in the fi rst round of the NHL Entry Draft by a team based in the United States. He knew it was going to be a tough transition, but he was determined to prove himself at the next level.
His fi rst season in the NHL was challenging, as he had to adjust to the faster pace of the game and the increased physicality. But Cole was a quick learner and by the end of the season, he had established himself as one of the top young players on the team. Over the next few seasons, Cole continued to improve and became one of the best players in the league. He was known for his speed, skill, and toughness, and was selected to play in multiple all-star games.
In his tenth season, Cole was named captain of his team and lead them to win the Stanley Cup, it was a dream come true for him. He was also recognized with several awards, including the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
After winning the championship, Cole retired. He was one of the best players to ever play the game, and his legacy would be celebrated for many years to come. He also decided to give back by creating hockey schools for children, in which he and other retired professional players could teach the kids the love for the sport.
Although his playing days were behind him, Cole’s impact on the game of hockey would be felt for many years to come, and his name would forever be remembered as one of the greatest to ever play the game.
