Cole Schwindt Bio
Cole Schwindt (born 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). Selected 81st overall by the Panthers in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, he has also represented the Calgary Flames and the Vegas Golden Knights during his professional career. Standing 188 centimeters tall and weighing around 83 kilograms, Schwindt developed his two-way game in the Ontario Hockey League before transitioning to the professional ranks. He is recognized as a depth forward capable of contributing at both ends of the ice.
Early Life and Background
Cole Schwindt was born on April 25, 2001, in Breslau, Ontario, Canada, to parents Jason Schwindt and Laura Schwindt. Raised in a hockey-focused household, he grew up the oldest of three boys, both of whom also play the sport. The family’s deep ties to the game shaped Schwindt’s introduction to competitive hockey from an early age, with the Ontario community providing a strong foundation for his development.
As a youth, Schwindt played for the Kitchener Jr. Rangers of the Alliance Hockey League, where he refined his skating and playmaking skills. His progression through the local minor hockey system reflected the work ethic instilled by his family, and his steady improvement positioned him for the jump to major junior hockey.
Path to Professional Hockey
Schwindt’s pathway to the NHL advanced when he joined the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League. After his second season with the Steelheads in 2018–19, his combination of size, vision, and scoring touch caught the attention of NHL scouts. The Florida Panthers selected him in the third round, 81st overall, in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, marking a defining milestone in his career.
During the following 2019–20 season, Schwindt appeared in 57 games with Mississauga, recording a team-leading 71 points with 28 goals and 43 assists. His standout performance reinforced his standing as one of the OHL’s most reliable two-way forwards. On April 9, 2020, the Panthers signed Schwindt to a three-year, entry-level contract, formally launching his professional career.
Cole Schwindt Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
With the 2020–21 season delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Schwindt ended his junior career and made his professional debut with the Syracuse Crunch, the Panthers’ temporary American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate that season. He appeared in 10 games for the Crunch, registering 2 points while adjusting to the pace of professional hockey.
Approaching the 2021–22 season, Schwindt attended Florida Panthers training camp before being reassigned to the Charlotte Checkers, the club’s primary AHL affiliate. He quickly regained his scoring touch and was leading the Checkers in goals when he received his first NHL recall on December 16, 2021. That same day, he made his NHL debut in a 4–1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings before being returned to the Checkers two days later.
Calgary Flames Era (2022–2024)
On July 22, 2022, Schwindt was part of a blockbuster trade that sent him, along with Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, and a conditional 2025 first-round selection, to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Matthew Tkachuk and a conditional 2025 fourth-round selection. The trade placed Schwindt within a retooling Flames organization seeking young depth.
Upon finishing his entry-level contract, Schwindt signed a one-year extension with the Flames to remain in Calgary. He continued to split time between the NHL roster and the AHL, working to establish himself as a regular contributor at the top level.
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. Just four days later, on October 11, he recorded his first NHL point in his Vegas debut, assisting on a second-period Shea Theodore goal. The performance offered an early sign of his offensive instincts at the NHL level.
Schwindt later recorded his first career NHL goal on April 16, 2025, scoring on an empty net late in a 4–1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks in the Golden Knights’ final game of the season. After the campaign, as a restricted free agent, he signed a one-year extension with Vegas on July 6, 2025.
Florida Panthers Era (2025–Present)
On October 2, 2025, the Golden Knights placed Schwindt on waivers. The following day, October 3, 2025, the Florida Panthers claimed him, returning the forward to the organization that originally drafted him. The reunion marked a full-circle moment in his young career, bringing Schwindt back to the franchise that first believed in his potential.
Driving Style and Strengths
Schwindt is recognized for his responsible two-way play, combining defensive reliability with offensive awareness. His ability to contribute in all three zones makes him a versatile depth option, while his size and skating allow him to win battles along the boards and create scoring chances through steady playmaking.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career milestones, Schwindt’s selection 81st overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft launched his NHL journey. His first NHL point on October 11, 2024, against the Vancouver Canucks, and his first NHL goal on April 16, 2025, also against Vancouver, stand as defining moments, while his return to the Florida Panthers in October 2025 closed the loop on his draft story.
Cole Schwindt Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Cole Schwindt was raised by his father, Jason Schwindt, and his mother, Laura Schwindt, in Breslau, Ontario. The family has a strong connection to hockey, with all three brothers in the household playing the sport at competitive levels.
Personal Life
Beyond his commitment to professional hockey, Schwindt remains connected to his family roots in Ontario. Public information about his personal relationships and private life is limited, and he tends to keep his off-ice activities away from the spotlight.
2025 Season Performance
Schwindt’s 2025 season began with uncertainty after being placed on waivers by the Vegas Golden Knights on October 2. His quick reclamation by the Florida Panthers on October 3 provided immediate clarity, returning him to the organization that originally drafted him in 2019.
Returning to Florida offers Schwindt a fresh opportunity to carve out a steady NHL role within a competitive forward group. His familiarity with the Panthers’ system and prior development within the organization may ease his transition. With his first NHL goal now behind him, the 2025–26 campaign represents a chance to establish long-term consistency at the highest level.
As the season progresses, Schwindt’s energy, defensive responsibility, and emerging offensive touch will be key factors in determining his ice time. The Panthers’ depth chart offers both competition and opportunity, and his performance in 2025 will shape his standing within the franchise going forward.