Owen Cole: From Backyard Rinks to the Wheeling Nailers

For second-year center Owen Cole, hockey has been a part of life for as long as he can remember. “I probably started at three years old. My dad always played, so that was the main thing that got me to play, and then he built a backyard rink, dug it up in the backyard,” Cole said. “So I started skating out there and then organized hockey when I was four.” That early foundation set the tone for a career built on hard work, discipline, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Transitioning from college hockey to the professional ranks, Cole says the biggest challenges aren’t just on the ice. “I think just way more games from college, playing two a week, to sometimes four, even five in a week, is a lot different, as well as the travel. When I was in college, the furthest game was four hours, so we didn’t have that much travel, whereas here, adjusting to the travels is a lot different,” he explained. “In terms of on the ice, there’s a little bit more toughness — you might have to answer the bell if you hit someone, with the fighting. Less dump and chase, and always try to make a play.”

Photo Credit: Stacey Gramlich/Olde City Sports Network

Cole says having familiar leadership with Head Coach Ryan Papaioannou made the transition smoother. “I was with Coach Papaioannou just for one season, but once I heard I was getting traded here, I was pretty excited to play for him again. He’s adapted a little bit to being with pro guys. A lot of us are about 10 years older than what he dealt with in junior. I think most of his philosophy is the same — play hard, always protect each other, have your teammates’ backs. The systems are, for the most part, the same; some are a little different, obviously, because the Pittsburgh organization wants them a certain way.”

On the ice, Cole has made adjustments to his style, especially in puck management. “Definitely hold on to the pucks more. Especially at the school I went to, UMass Lowell, we played a lot of chip and chase kind of hockey. In pro, you want to hold on to the puck. So that’s something I worked on a lot in Cincinnati. It’s something I’ve worked on a lot here, and I’ve talked to Papaioannou, saying, ‘Hey, I’m trying to work on this.’”

Mental preparation and perspective also play a major role in his game. “Doesn't really matter the game. I used to be much more superstitious, and now I just kind of show up to the rink, try to remain relaxed until the anthem. Once the anthem starts, I get in the zone and get ready to go. I’ve learned to just have more fun with it, and I find that helps me play a lot better.”

Cole believes team culture is just as important as individual skill. “It’s so big. I experienced that even at university. With how close the team is, you just automatically are a better team. I’ve noticed it here in Wheeling for sure — how tight the guys are. We live right across from the rink, and we spend a lot of time together. Sometimes you can see a roster on paper that should be better, but we’ll have a really good game or beat top teams because of the tightness of our group.”

Off the ice, Cole keeps perspective by staying connected with family and close friends. “Calling my parents and close friends sometimes — to vent, or just to get away from hockey and remember that hockey isn’t my entire life — is a really good reset. Definitely calling my parents would be the biggest one.”

As a player, Cole’s focus is simple: contribute in any way he can. “Just being the best teammate I can be. I know my role is to be third or fourth line, help the team win, and not be on the score sheet a lot. For me, it’s just working on my game constantly and trying to help in any way I can. I hope I’m always looked at as a leader and a great teammate. In terms of a person, it’s all about being a good person. That’s how I was raised — just to be a good person first. It doesn’t matter what you do in your career. It’s about being a good person, a good family man, and that’s pretty much what I’ve based my entire life on, and I think that’s helped me be so successful.”

- Samantha Wismer/Olde City Sports Network

- Photo Credit: Stacey Gramlich/Olde City Sports Network