LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Junior Cole Hults (Stoughton, Wis.) will forgo his senior season in Hockey Valley and become the eighth Nittany Lion in program history, and fourth this season, to sign an NHL contract after agreeing to terms on a two-year, entry-level deal with the Los Angeles Kings the club announced on Saturday afternoon.
Hults, who was drafted by the Kings in the fifth round (134th overall) of the 2017 NHL entry draft, joins Evan Barratt, Nate Sucese and Brandon Biro who each inked entry-level NHL deals earlier this offseason along with Andrew Sturtz (Ottawa), Casey Bailey (Toronto), Eamon McAdam (New York Islanders) and Vince Pedrie (New York Rangers) who also agreed to NHL contracts following their time at Penn State.
"Cole is the highest performing low risk, low maintenance player I've ever had the privilege of coaching," mentioned head coach Guy Gadowsky. "He is so efficient in everything he does. We are extremely happy for Hultsy and wish him all the success at the next level."
Hults, a finalist for both the Big Ten Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year and a First-Team All-CHN honoree, tied the Penn State single-season record for points by a defenseman with a career-best 30 this past season, a mark good for first in the Big Ten by blueliners and tenth nationally among defensemen. Hults' eight goals this season were also a career-high while tying the Penn State single-season record for goals by a defenseman as well as pacing the conference. The junior's 22 assists also led the Big Ten for blueliners and tied a career-best.
The Stoughton, Wisconsin native, started the season strong netting the eighth hat-trick in program history on opening night, the first-ever by a Nittany Lion defenseman, and continued his strong play through Big Ten action with four goals and a league-leading 17 assists in 24 games ranking seventh in the conference with 21 points in Big Ten play. Hults also led the entire Big Ten in plus/minus with a +23 rating, tied for sixth in the nation and fourth among blueliners.
Hults didn't miss a single game since stepping foot on campus in the fall of 2017 playing in 111-consecutive contests and with a +48 rating for his career, ranks third all-time at Penn State. Hults is also the Nittany Lion career record holder for points and assists by a defenseman with 78 and 61, respectively, while his 17 goals place him second all-time for blueliners. The junior registered 20 or more points in each of his three seasons donning the Blue and White while earning All-Big Ten honorable mention honors in 2018-19 and is still awaiting word on conference recognition for this past season.
"Penn State has engraved a special place in my heart, and I couldn't be more proud to be a Nittany Lion," commented Hults. "I've built friendships that will last a lifetime and have become a better player and person during my time in Hockey Valley. This is such a special place that I will forever call home and I couldn't think of a better spot to have spent my collegiate career. WE ARE!"
FULL LOS ANGELES RELEASE
