Cole Schwindt Bio
Cole Schwindt, born on April 25, 2001, is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 183 pounds, Schwindt shoots right and has built his career as a versatile two-way forward capable of contributing offense in multiple roles. He was selected 81st overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and has also represented the Calgary Flames and Vegas Golden Knights at the NHL level.
Early Life and Background
Cole Schwindt was born on April 25, 2001, in Breslau, Ontario, Canada, to parents Jason and Laura Schwindt. He grew up as the oldest of three boys, and both of his younger brothers also play hockey, reflecting the strong athletic environment that shaped his early years. The small community of Breslau, located near Kitchener in southwestern Ontario, provided the backdrop for his first experiences on the ice and introduced him to a region with a deep tradition of producing skilled hockey players.
Schwindt began his organized hockey career as a youth player with the Kitchener Jr. Rangers of the Alliance Hockey League. The local minor hockey system allowed him to develop his foundational skills and gain exposure to competitive play at a young age, setting the stage for his eventual move to major junior hockey.
Path to Hockey
After developing in the Alliance Hockey ranks, Schwindt advanced to major junior hockey when he joined the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), one of the premier development leagues feeding into the NHL. His progress with the Steelheads quickly established him as a prospect to watch, and after his second season with the club in 2018-19, he was selected 81st overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
During the 2019-20 season with Mississauga, Schwindt emerged as one of the Steelheads’ top offensive contributors, recording a team-leading 71 points with 28 goals and 43 assists across 57 games. His production that year confirmed his status as a legitimate NHL prospect and led to the Panthers signing him to a three-year, entry-level contract on April 9, 2020.
Cole Schwindt Career
Early Career (2020-2022)
The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the start of the 2020-21 season, and Schwindt ended his junior career to make his professional debut with the Panthers’ temporary American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. He appeared in 10 games with the Crunch, registering 2 points while adjusting to the professional game. Approaching the 2021-22 season, Schwindt attended Panthers training camp before being reassigned to the Charlotte Checkers, the Panthers’ primary AHL affiliate, to begin the campaign.
Schwindt quickly regained his scoring touch with the Checkers and was leading the team in goals when he received his first NHL recall on December 16, 2021, due to injuries affecting the Panthers’ lineup. He was inserted into the lineup that same day and made his NHL debut in a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings before being returned to Charlotte on December 18, 2021.
Calgary Flames Era (2022-2024)
On July 22, 2022, Schwindt was part of a blockbuster trade that sent him, Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, and a conditional 2025 first-round selection to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Matthew Tkachuk and a conditional fourth-round pick in 2025. The move placed Schwindt in a new organization where he continued his development at both the NHL and AHL levels with the Flames’ affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers.
Upon completing his entry-level contract with Calgary, Schwindt signed a one-year extension with the Flames, signaling the organization’s continued interest in his long-term potential as a depth forward with offensive upside.
Vegas Golden Knights Era (2024-2025)
Ahead of the 2024-25 season, Schwindt was claimed off waivers by the Vegas Golden Knights on October 7, 2024, opening a new chapter in his career. He wasted little time making an impact, recording his first NHL point on October 11 in his Vegas debut with an assist on a second-period Shea Theodore goal. He later scored his first career NHL goal in the Golden Knights’ final game of the season on April 16, finding the empty net late in a 4-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.
As a restricted free agent following the 2024-25 campaign, Schwindt signed a one-year extension with Vegas on July 6, 2025, before the organization placed him on waivers on October 2, 2025. The Florida Panthers claimed him off waivers the following day, October 3, 2025, bringing the forward back to the team that originally drafted him.
Driving Style and Strengths
Schwindt is regarded as a responsible two-way forward with a scoring touch developed through the OHL and AHL. His combination of size, skating, and playmaking has allowed him to contribute offensively at every level, and his ability to play a reliable defensive game has made him a valuable depth option in the NHL.
Notable Events and Milestones
Schwindt’s most notable career milestones include his NHL debut on December 16, 2021, against the Los Angeles Kings, his first NHL point on October 11, 2024, with the Vegas Golden Knights, and his first NHL goal on April 16, 2025, in a win over the Vancouver Canucks. He was also part of the major July 2022 trade that reshaped the rosters of both the Panthers and Flames.
Cole Schwindt Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Schwindt comes from a hockey-oriented family, with his parents Jason and Laura Schwindt raising three boys, all of whom have played the sport. The strong athletic background in his household helped foster his passion for hockey from an early age and contributed to his development into an NHL prospect.
Personal Life
Beyond his career on the ice, Schwindt maintains a private personal life and is known to keep his family and relationships out of the public eye. He continues to focus on his professional development as he returns to the Florida Panthers organization that originally drafted him.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has marked a return to familiar surroundings for Cole Schwindt. After signing a one-year extension with the Vegas Golden Knights on July 6, 2025, he was placed on waivers by the club on October 2, 2025, and subsequently claimed by the Florida Panthers the following day, October 3, 2025. The transaction brought Schwindt back to the organization that selected him in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and provided him with an opportunity to carve out a more permanent role in the NHL.
Throughout the 2024-25 season with Vegas, Schwindt recorded his first NHL point and first NHL goal, both meaningful steps in his development. His return to the Panthers places him within a competitive forward group that has been among the NHL’s most successful in recent seasons.
Looking ahead, Schwindt’s outlook with the Florida Panthers will depend on his ability to translate his AHL scoring consistency into steady NHL contributions. With the familiarity of the organization and the experience gained across Calgary and Vegas, he is positioned to compete for a regular role on the Panthers’ depth chart during the 2025-26 campaign.
