The San Jose Sharks have made a strategic pick by selecting center Cole McKinney with the 53rd overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft, held Saturday at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. McKinney, a notable player from the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP), was generally projected to be taken higher, averaging 36th across draft rankings, with some estimations placing him as high as 20th.
In terms of his performance, McKinney stood out as one of the leading forwards for the USNTDP this past season. He excelled with the U-18 squad, finishing with an impressive 27 goals and 34 assists for 61 points in just 60 games. This remarkable scoring won him the team’s scoring title and established him as the sole player to surpass a point-per-game average, contributing significantly to the team’s successful record of 30 wins.
Additionally, McKinney played for the USNTDP Junior team in the United States Hockey League (USHL), racking up 15 goals and 11 assists in 23 games, which placed him fourth in team scoring despite his limited appearances. The Junior team, however, did not qualify for the playoffs, concluding the season with a 23-35-4 record.
In international play, McKinney represented Team USA at the 2025 IIHF World U-18 Championship, contributing five points in seven games and helping secure a bronze medal for his country.
Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis commented on McKinney’s potential, highlighting his versatility as a mid-sized, two-way center who excels in various aspects of the game including penalty killing and faceoff wins, while also noting an area for improvement in his physical strength as he transitions to college hockey at the University of Michigan in the 2025-26 season.
McKinney’s selection marks a bright prospect for the Sharks as they continue to build their team with young talent, showcasing their commitment to investing in promising players for the future.