Cole Bradley Hults (born May 22, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for HC Bolzano in the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL). Hults was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the fifth round, 134th overall, of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

He played college hockey at Pennsylvania State University and was named to the Second All-AHCA Team after his junior season. Hults was selected 134th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. On April 11, 2020, Hults signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Kings, forgoing his senior season at Penn State.

In his first professional season, Hults was assigned by the Kings to AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, for the shortened 2020–21 season. He made 19 appearances on the blueline for the Reign, collecting 1 goal and 5 points.

On July 24, 2021, Hults was traded by the Kings, along with Bokondji Imama, to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Brayden Burke and Tyler Steenbergen.

Hults played one season within the Coyotes organization before leaving as a free agent to sign a one-year contract with Italian club, HC Bolzano of the ICEHL, on August 3, 2022. In signing with Bolzano, Hults joined his brother Mitch at the club.

Career statistics

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2014–15Madison CapitolsUSHL902229
2015–16Madison CapitolsUSHL5408865
2016–17Madison CapitolsUSHL5962632112
2017–18Penn StateB1G383172043
2018–19Penn StateB1G396222824
2019–20Penn StateB1G348223018
2020–21Ontario ReignAHL191455
2021–22Tucson RoadrunnersAHL547101734
2022–23HC BolzanoICEHL4532629331924616
2023–24HKM ZvolenSlovak509273635100336
AHL totals738142239

Awards and honors

AwardYearRef
College
AHCA Second Team All-American2020
Big Ten Player of the Year2020
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year2020
All-Big Ten First Team2020

External links

  • Biographical information and career statistics from , or , or
Awards and achievements
Preceded byTaro HiroseBig Ten Player of the Year 2019–20Succeeded byCole Caufield
Preceded bySasha LarocqueBig Ten Defensive Player of the Year 2019–20Succeeded byCam York