Knuble made his NHL debut in October 2026. In his second NHL game, he scored twice against the Buffalo Sabres, recording his first NHL goals in front of his father, former NHL forward Mike Knuble. His early professional story combines a strong college record, family ties to the Flyers, and a rapid move from the AHL to the NHL. (Philadelphia Flyers; Associated Press)
| Full name | Cole Knuble |
|---|---|
| Born | July 1, 2004 |
| Age | 22 as of October 2026 |
| Birthplace | Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Sport | Ice hockey |
| Position | Forward; listed as a right wing by NHL.com |
| Shoots | Right |
| Current NHL team | Philadelphia Flyers |
| NHL number | 54 |
| NHL draft | 2023, fourth round, 103rd overall, Philadelphia Flyers |
| College | University of Notre Dame |
| Junior team | Fargo Force, United States Hockey League |
| Father | Mike Knuble, former NHL player |
| Professional contract | Two-year entry-level contract beginning with the 2026–27 season |
| Notre Dame career totals | 90 points: 30 goals and 60 assists in 106 games |
| NHL debut | October 19, 2026, against the Colorado Avalanche |
| First NHL goals | Two goals against the Buffalo Sabres on October 21, 2026 |
Early life and family connection to hockey
Cole Knuble was born on July 1, 2004, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Hockey was already part of his family’s life: his father, Mike Knuble, played 1,068 regular-season games in the NHL across five teams. Mike also spent two stints with the Philadelphia Flyers, appearing in 338 regular-season games for the club. Cole’s connection to the Flyers therefore began long before he joined the organization as a player. (Philadelphia Flyers; Associated Press)
Having a parent who played professionally can offer a young athlete a close view of the demands of elite hockey. It does not make the path to a professional roster automatic, however. Knuble still had to earn his opportunities through his own development: first in junior hockey, then in college, and later in the Flyers’ professional system.
Knuble grew up playing in Michigan and progressed through competitive youth hockey before joining the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League. The USHL is a junior league that gives players experience against high-level competition while they prepare for college hockey or professional opportunities. For Knuble, time with Fargo became an important stage in his development.
Making a name with the Fargo Force
Knuble played for the Fargo Force in the USHL before attending Notre Dame. His second season with the team was especially productive. In the 2022–23 regular season, he led Fargo in scoring with 30 goals and 36 assists for 66 points in 57 games. The team also named him an alternate captain, a recognition of his leadership role as well as his contributions on the ice. (Fargo Force)
That season earned Knuble a place on the USHL First All-Star Team. He was also selected to captain Team USA at the World Junior A Challenge, where he led his team in scoring with two goals and six assists. Team USA won the tournament, and Knuble was named its Most Valuable Player. The Curt Hammer Award, which recognizes a USHL player for performance, leadership, pride, and determination, added another notable honor to his junior career.
Knuble’s junior results helped establish him as a promising prospect for the next level. Scoring 66 points in a season demonstrated offensive production, while his leadership responsibilities and international tournament performance gave scouts more information about how he handled pressure and responsibility.
Notre Dame hockey career
Knuble joined the University of Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish hockey program and played three seasons in the NCAA. He finished his college career with 90 points—30 goals and 60 assists—in 106 games. He appeared in every game during his freshman season, recording 20 points in 36 appearances. That start gave him a solid foundation in college hockey’s fast, physical environment. (Notre Dame Athletics)
His sophomore year, 2024–25, was his most productive college season. Knuble recorded 39 points, including 12 goals and 27 assists, in 34 games. He led Notre Dame in points and assists and finished among the Big Ten’s leading players in several offensive categories. His season earned him a place on the All-Big Ten Second Team and a nomination for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, which recognizes outstanding players in NCAA men’s hockey. (Notre Dame player profile)
In 2025–26, Knuble served as an alternate captain for Notre Dame. He recorded nine goals and 22 assists for 31 points in 36 games, finishing third on the team in scoring and leading the Irish in assists for the second consecutive season. He was also named Academic All-Big Ten and selected to the conference’s preseason First Team. Those honors reflected both his continued role on the ice and his academic standing. (Notre Dame player profile)
Knuble also represented the U.S. Collegiate Selects at the Spengler Cup during his final college season. The team reached the championship game, where he recorded an assist. The international tournament gave him a chance to compete alongside players from other college programs and against experienced teams from outside the NCAA.
Philadelphia drafts Knuble
The Philadelphia Flyers selected Knuble in the fourth round of the 2023 NHL Draft, 103rd overall. Draft position is only one part of a player’s career: prospects still need to develop, compete for roster places, and adjust to professional hockey. Knuble’s three college seasons gave him time to refine his game after being drafted while remaining part of the Flyers’ prospect system.
He attended Flyers development camps in the summers following his selection. Those camps allowed the organization to work with him directly and assess his progress. His continued development at Notre Dame, particularly his 39-point sophomore season, strengthened his profile as he approached the professional level.
Signing his first professional contract
On March 17, 2026, the Flyers announced that they had signed Knuble to a two-year entry-level contract beginning with the 2026–27 season. He finished his Notre Dame career with 90 points in 106 games. For the remainder of the 2025–26 season, he joined the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Philadelphia’s American Hockey League affiliate, to begin his professional transition. (Philadelphia Flyers; Notre Dame Athletics)
Moving from college hockey to the AHL is a significant adjustment. The professional schedule is demanding, and players must adapt to the speed, strength, and structure of a league where many opponents have years of experience. Knuble’s early time with the Phantoms provided a bridge between college competition and the NHL.
In October 2026, Philadelphia recalled Knuble from Lehigh Valley during a period when the Flyers needed additional forwards. He made his NHL debut on October 19 against the Colorado Avalanche. The Flyers’ recap noted that his father, Mike, was in attendance. It also marked a franchise milestone: Cole and Mike became the first father-son pair to appear in regular-season games for Philadelphia. (Philadelphia Flyers)
First NHL goals
Knuble’s second NHL game brought a memorable breakthrough. On October 21, 2026, he scored twice as the Flyers defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3–1. The Associated Press reported that both goals came in front of his father, who was watching in the crowd. The first was Knuble’s first NHL goal; the second came early in the third period and helped Philadelphia secure the win. (Associated Press)
Scoring twice in a player’s second NHL game is a striking start, but it is still only the beginning of a professional career. A rookie’s role can change as the season progresses, and performance is measured over many games rather than a single night. For Knuble, the game was an important early milestone and a moment shared with his family.
It also brought together several strands of his story: a Michigan hockey upbringing, a father who had played for the Flyers, years of development in junior and college hockey, and a chance to make an impact in Philadelphia. His early goals immediately made his NHL arrival a story that Flyers fans would remember.
Playing style and strengths
Knuble is listed as a forward and has played both center and wing during his development. The NHL player profile lists him as a right wing who shoots right, while college and junior biographies generally use the broader position label “forward.” Positions can vary by roster and line assignment, so describing him as a forward is the most consistent summary. (NHL.com; Notre Dame Athletics)
His statistical record points to an offensive-minded player who can contribute as both a scorer and a playmaker. At Notre Dame, he led his team in assists in consecutive seasons and had a 39-point sophomore campaign. In junior hockey, he produced 30 goals in a single USHL season. Those numbers show that his offense has come through more than one route: finishing plays himself and helping create chances for teammates.
Leadership has also been part of his profile. Knuble served as an alternate captain for Fargo and Notre Dame, and he captained Team USA at the World Junior A Challenge. Those roles do not guarantee professional success, but they demonstrate that coaches trusted him with added responsibility during important stages of his development.
Cole Knuble and Mike Knuble
Mike Knuble played 1,068 NHL regular-season games and spent two periods of his career with the Flyers. Cole’s first NHL appearances for Philadelphia created a rare family connection in the franchise’s history. The father-son milestone naturally attracted attention, especially because Mike was present when Cole scored his first NHL goals. (Philadelphia Flyers; Associated Press)
That connection is meaningful, but Cole’s career is his own. He was drafted by Philadelphia after his junior hockey performance, developed at Notre Dame, and signed his own contract with the organization. His achievements in the USHL and NCAA provide a record of his individual progress before he reached the NHL.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Cole Knuble?
Cole Knuble is an American professional ice hockey forward for the Philadelphia Flyers. He played junior hockey for the Fargo Force and college hockey for Notre Dame before beginning his professional career.
How old is Cole Knuble?
He was born on July 1, 2004, making him 22 years old as of October 2026.
Which NHL team drafted Cole Knuble?
The Philadelphia Flyers selected him in the fourth round, 103rd overall, of the 2023 NHL Draft.
What position does Cole Knuble play?
He is a forward. NHL.com lists him as a right wing who shoots right, while his college and junior profiles use the general position “forward.”
Is Cole Knuble related to Mike Knuble?
Yes. Cole is the son of former NHL forward Mike Knuble, who played 1,068 NHL regular-season games and had two stints with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Where did Cole Knuble play college hockey?
He played three seasons for the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He finished with 90 points in 106 games.
When did Cole Knuble make his NHL debut?
He made his NHL debut on October 19, 2026, with the Philadelphia Flyers against the Colorado Avalanche.
When did Cole Knuble score his first NHL goal?
He scored his first NHL goal on October 21, 2026, against the Buffalo Sabres. He scored twice in that game, his second NHL appearance.
What were Cole Knuble’s best Notre Dame statistics?
His top college season was 2024–25, when he recorded 39 points—12 goals and 27 assists—in 34 games. He led Notre Dame in points and assists that season.
What is Cole Knuble’s NHL contract?
He signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Flyers in March 2026. The deal was set to begin with the 2026–27 season.
Final Word
Cole Knuble’s route to the NHL ran through the Fargo Force and Notre Dame, where he established himself as a productive scorer and trusted team leader. Drafted by Philadelphia in 2023, he signed with the Flyers in 2026 and made his NHL debut that October. Two games into his NHL career, he scored his first two goals in front of his father, former Flyer Mike Knuble.
That start gave Knuble an unforgettable introduction to the league, but his longer-term story will be shaped by what comes next: adapting to NHL competition and earning a lasting role. His junior and college records provide a strong foundation, while his early Flyers milestones have already made him a player to watch.