Better Know a Penguin: Ian Cole

We wrap up our Better Know a Penguin series with third-pairing defender Ian Cole. He plays a shutdown role with Pittsburgh, and is pretty good at it, too. You're not going to get a whole lot from Cole offensively, but he's good on the puck and won't make big mistakes in his own end very often. Paired with Justin Schultz, Cole has decent possession numbers and rounds out the Penguins defensive corps.

Name: Ian Cole

Number/Position: #28 / Defender

Born: February 21, 1989 (27)

Birthplace: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 219

Shoots: Left

Drafted: 1st round (18th overall) by St. Louis in 2007

Assets

Can play a quality shutdown role, if need be. Has good size and strength, the ability to play a physical brand of hockey from the back end and some puck-moving skills.

Flaws

Doesn't have the high-end ability to be much of a factor on power plays. Needs to become more consistent in order to maximize his overall shutdown acumen.

Career Potential

Solid defenseman

(Assets, Flaws and Career Potential via The Hockey News player page)

Hero Chart

Team Possession Chart

(courtesy of war-on-ice.com)