Cole Guttman Bio
Cole Guttman is an American professional ice hockey center who plays for the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on April 6, 1999, in Northridge, California, Guttman has built his career through the United States Hockey League, the University of Denver, and the Chicago Blackhawks organization. Known for his scoring touch and leadership, he captained his college team to an NCAA championship before turning professional.
Early Life and Background
Cole Guttman was born on April 6, 1999, in Northridge, California, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. He is the son of Brent Guttman and Julie Guttman, and he grew up alongside a younger brother named Jeremy, who later attended the University of Michigan. The Guttman family has Hungarian roots; after surviving the Holocaust, Cole’s grandparents eventually made their way to North America through a displaced persons camp before settling in the United States.
Raised in Los Angeles, Cole was introduced to hockey through local California-based youth programs and spent his formative years developing his game with several minor teams in the region. He is Jewish and has spoken about his cultural background as an important part of his identity. Outside of hockey, Guttman has cited Post Malone as a favorite musical artist and follows the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Path to Hockey
Guttman’s path to professional hockey took shape in the United States Hockey League (USHL), where he joined the Dubuque Fighting Saints. In his first full season with Dubuque, he produced 54 points in 53 games, a performance that quickly drew the attention of NHL scouts. The Tampa Bay Lightning selected Guttman in the sixth round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, and he was named captain of Dubuque prior to being drafted, demonstrating early leadership qualities.
Although his sophomore USHL season saw a dip in production, Guttman had already committed to play college hockey. After initially pledging to St. Cloud University, he ultimately enrolled at the University of Denver in 2018, where he played for the Denver Pioneers men’s ice hockey program for all four years. In 2021, he was named captain of the Pioneers, and in his final collegiate season he led the team to the 2022 NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey championship.
Cole Guttman Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
After his rights expired with the Tampa Bay Lightning on August 15, 2022, Guttman became an unrestricted free agent. On August 18, 2022, he signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks worth $950,000 annually, the maximum allowable salary on a rookie deal. The Blackhawks were drawn to Guttman’s offensive potential and viewed him as part of a forward group they were looking to develop.
Guttman began his first professional season with Chicago’s AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. He posted 30 points in 39 games at the AHL level before receiving his first NHL call-up.
NHL Breakthrough with Chicago (2023)
Guttman was recalled by the Blackhawks on February 15, 2023, amid a string of injuries affecting Chicago’s forward group. That same evening, he made his NHL debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs, logging just over twelve minutes of ice time in a loss. On February 20, 2023, in just his third career NHL game, Guttman scored his first NHL goal, again against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Across his first NHL stint, Guttman appeared in 14 games for the Blackhawks, registering four goals and six points. His season was cut short on March 14, 2023, when he underwent shoulder surgery that ended his year. The brief stretch nonetheless announced Guttman as a legitimate scoring threat at the NHL level.
Los Angeles Kings Era (2025–Present)
Following three seasons within the Blackhawks organization, Guttman became a free agent and signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Los Angeles Kings on July 2, 2025. The deal runs through the 2026–27 season and carries an annual value of $950,000. As part of the Kings’ developmental structure, Guttman was assigned to the Ontario Reign of the AHL, where he continues to refine his professional game under a two-way agreement.
Driving Style and Strengths
Guttman is widely regarded as an offensively gifted center with a natural scoring touch, particularly around the net. His strengths include a quick release, strong playmaking vision, and the ability to elevate his linemates. His leadership pedigree, demonstrated by captaincies at both Dubuque and the University of Denver, suggests a player comfortable in high-pressure environments and team-first systems.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most memorable career moments, Guttman’s first NHL goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 20, 2023, stands out as his arrival on the league’s biggest stage. Leading the Denver Pioneers to the 2022 NCAA championship as captain remains one of the defining achievements of his career to date, alongside his 54-point USHL debut season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints.
Cole Guttman Career Wins
Cole Guttman’s career achievements are anchored by team success at the collegiate level and individual scoring milestones at both the junior and professional ranks. While detailed league-by-league win totals are not fully verified, his major accomplishments include captaining Denver to the 2022 NCAA national championship and producing a 30-point rookie professional season with the Rockford IceHogs.
Junior and Collegiate Highlights
During his time with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL, Guttman posted 54 points in 53 games in his first full season, a performance that earned him an NHL draft selection and the team’s captaincy. At the University of Denver, he wore the C for the Pioneers and culminated his four-year collegiate run by hoisting the 2022 NCAA championship trophy.
Professional Performances
In his debut professional season with the Rockford IceHogs, Guttman registered 30 points in 39 AHL games. His subsequent recall to Chicago produced four goals and six points in 14 NHL appearances, including his first NHL goal against Toronto.
Cole Guttman Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Cole Guttman’s parents are Brent Guttman and Julie Guttman, both of whom raised their family in the Los Angeles area. The Guttman family traces its roots to Hungary, with Cole’s grandparents surviving the Holocaust before eventually immigrating to North America through a displaced persons camp. Cole also has a younger brother, Jeremy Guttman, who attended the University of Michigan.
Personal Life
Cole Guttman is Jewish and has spoken about his heritage as an important part of his identity. He is a fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and lists Post Malone among his favorite musical artists. Publicly available information about his marital status or spouse is not verified.
2025 Season Performance
Guttman’s 2025 campaign began with a significant career move, as he signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Los Angeles Kings on July 2, 2025, after three seasons in the Chicago Blackhawks organization. The deal provides Guttman with stability and a clear development path through the Kings’ AHL affiliate in Ontario, where he is expected to log meaningful minutes as a top-six center.
Assigned to the Ontario Reign, Guttman enters the season aiming to translate his scoring touch and leadership experience into consistent AHL production. With a maximum rookie-level salary still in effect and his contract running through 2027, the 2025–26 season represents an important opportunity for him to push toward a full-time NHL role with Los Angeles.
Looking ahead, Guttman’s blend of offensive skill, captaincy experience, and familiarity with two-way contracts positions him well within the Kings’ prospect pipeline. Continued production at the AHL level could earn him another NHL call-up, allowing him to build on the momentum of his 2023 debut and first NHL goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs.