March 24, 2010

Notre Dame, Ind. – Notre Dame junior defenseman Ian Cole (Ann Arbor, Mich.) has signed an Amateur Tryout Contract with the National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues. The announcement was made Monday night by Blues’ president John Davidson. Cole will report to St. Louis’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen.

The 21-year old defenseman was a first round pick, 18th overall by St. Louis in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, the highest any Notre Dame player has ever been selected in the draft.

In his final season for the Irish, the 6-1, 220-pound defenseman played in 30 games, scoring three goals with 16 assists for 19 points. His point total tied him for fifth on the team in scoring while he tied for second among Notre Dame blueliners. His 16 assists tied him for third in that category. His goal totals included one power-play goal and one game winner. He was called for 22 penalties resulting in 55 minutes.

In three seasons at Notre Dame, Cole played in 111 games, scoring 17 goals with 48 assists for 65 career points. He had eight power-play goals and five game winners over his three seasons. He finished with 153 minutes in penalties.

A product of USA Hockey’s National Team Developmental program, Cole’s top season came in 2008-09 when he had six goals and 20 assists for 26 points. He was selected first team all-CCHA and was a first team West/AHCA All-American. A member of two CCHA regular season and tournament championship teams (2007, 2009), he also was selected to the 2009 CCHA all-tournament team.

The talented, left-shot defenseman also played in two World Junior Hockey Championships for the U.S. Junior National Team in `08 and `09. Played in six games at 2008 World Junior Championships in Czech Republic and had six penalty minutes. In 2009, in Ottawa, Ont., played in six games, scoring two power-play goals with two assists for four points with four penalty minutes.

In April of 2007, Cole was selected as one of the top three players at the World Under-18 Championships while a member of the USA Under-18 team. At Notre Dame, Cole was a psychology major in the College of Arts and Letters.