Ian Cole
A tough, shot-blocking defenseman who grinded his way to two Stanley Cup rings with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American ice hockey player·Birthday: February 21·Millennials
Biography
Ian Cole's path in the NHL has been defined by a blue-collar mentality and a willingness to do the hard, unglamorous work on the back end. Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he developed into a reliable defensive defenseman known more for clearing the crease and blocking shots than for scoring highlights. His career took him through several teams, but his defining chapter came with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he became a crucial part of the team's depth defense during their back-to-back championship runs in 2016 and 2017. Cole's value lay in his consistency and physical play, a steadying presence who could be trusted in high-pressure situations. Even as he moved on to other franchises, his reputation as a durable, team-first defender remained, carving out a long career built on grit and hockey intelligence.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Ian was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ian Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Ian's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Stanley Cup in consecutive years with the Pittsburgh Penguins (2016, 2017).
- Played over 700 regular season games in the NHL as a dependable defenseman.
- Represented the United States at the 2016 IIHF World Championship.
Did You Know?
He played college hockey at the University of Notre Dame.
He was a first-round draft pick, selected 18th overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2007.
His father, Ian Cole Sr., played college football at the University of Michigan.
“My job is to keep the puck out of our net, period.”
