Cole Knuble got his first taste of the NHL on Monday night, and he did so with the team he grew up cheering for.
The Philadelphia Flyers forward made his NHL debut Monday night against the Colorado Avalanche, continuing a family hockey story that began more than two decades ago.
The 22-year-old winger is the son of former NHL forward Mike Knuble, who played 1,068 games for the Flyers, Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, and Boston Bruins. Mike spent parts of five seasons in Philadelphia, including his final year in the league (2005-2009; 2012-13).
With his parents in attendance, Cole got to live out a dream wearing the Flyers sweater he had watched his father wear growing up. “Obviously I have been a fan of this team my whole life, so I think it’s extra special,” Knuble told The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jackie Spiegel.
Knuble’s night started like every other rookie’s first game, with a solo lap. The Michigan native, wearing jersey number 54, knocked warm-up pucks off Philadelphia’s bench and took his first spin around the ice inside Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Cole Knuble’s rookie lap with the Flyers
Shortly after puck drop, NBC Sports Philadelphia interviewed Mike, a recent assistant coach for the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, about his thoughts and emotions as he watched his son take the first steps he once took in the NHL.
“As a parent, you just think about the days in the car and the road to get here,” Mike said. “Everybody sees this finished product here, but, as a family, you go through the ups and the downs and the good days and the bad days. But to get him here, be drafted, play well, have a chance to get the call, and to play up here, it’s just a big thrill. It’s awesome.”
Mike Knuble and family in attendance for son Cole’s NHL debut
Knuble’s dad hopes that his son’s first game is just the first of many with a club that was his home for several years. The two are the first father-son duo to ever play for the Flyers.
“It’s a scramble mode to get everybody here, and the organization, the way they’ve handled him, the way they developed him, the way they treated him while he was at Notre Dame, it’s awesome,” Mike said. “We’re super happy that he’s here. We’re so proud to be a part of this organization, and he’s thrilled to be out there.
“We hope for a lot of good stuff out of him, but he’s going to give everything he’s got. He’s a hardworking kid and plays his heart out. That’s all you need around Philly, that’s for sure.”
In a 3-2 Flyers win, Knuble played 13:43 and fired one shot on goal. He also received a very clear “Welcome to the NHL moment” when he cut in front of Colorado’s net to try and score the first goal of his career.
Instead of ducking out of contact, Knuble took the full brunt of a humongous hit from Avalanche defenseman Noah Juulsen.
Cole Knuble gets hit by Noah Juulsen
“Definitely the first one,” Knuble told OnPattison’s Brandon Sommermann postgame. “I was telling the guys I lead the league in stitches per game; I got three. But yeah, I’ll take a hit. I’m just trying to make a play, so I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Knuble was selected by Philadelphia in the fourth round of the 2023 NHL Draft, 103rd overall, and then played three years of college hockey at Notre Dame. He finished his collegiate career with 90 points (30 goals, 60 assists) in 106 games before signing his entry-level contract with the Flyers last March.
After an impressive preseason, Knuble nearly earned a spot on Philadelphia’s opening-night roster but began the season in the AHL instead. While with the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, he recorded four points (1g, 3a) in six games.
