The Nashville Predators just landed a rising college hockey star, signing Cole O’Hara to a two-year deal that’ll kick off in 2025-26.
O’Hara’s not waiting around though – he’s heading straight to the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals on a tryout after wrapping up his college season with UMass last week.
And what a season it was.
The young forward exploded for 22 goals and 51 points in just 40 games this year, leading his UMass Minutemen team in scoring. That’s more points than his first two college seasons combined.
What makes O’Hara special is his crafty puck handling, especially down low. He’s got this knack for grabbing the puck behind the net, weaving through defenders, and finding space up high to make plays. Having teammate Lucas Mercuri creating havoc in front of the net didn’t hurt either.
The Predators saw something special in O’Hara back in 2022, snagging him in the fourth round of the NHL Draft. He’d just torn up the USHL with 25 goals and 73 points in 58 games for the Tri-City Storm, leading a team that included future Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Gavin Brindley.
Now comes the real test. O’Hara’s got amazing hands, but he’ll need to adjust his smaller frame to the harder-hitting pro game. The Admirals will give him his first taste of that challenge.
It’s a big step up, but if his college breakout is any indication, the Predators might have found themselves a diamond in the rough.
