After having two recruits selected in the 2025 NHL Draft, Northeastern added a third to their pipeline after news broke Tuesday that the Huskies secured the verbal commitment of Cole Chandler, an ’07 forward from Nova Scotia. Chandler was selected by the Boston Bruins in the 5th round of the 2025 NHL Draft.
Chandler recently completed his second season with the Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The 6-foot-2, 175 pound left shot center put up 32 points (13 goals) in 64 regular season games after battling illness and injury in the first half, rebounding with a very strong second half of the regular season and playoffs that saw him score 33 points in his last 46 games, including 12 points (5 goals) in 16 playoff appearances. He was a member of Team Canada White for the 2023 U17 World Hockey Challenge, winning a gold medal the same year he made his Major Junior debut. He was selected in the first round of the 2023 QMJHL Entry Draft by Shawinigan.
The Bruins were impressed with multiple parts of Chandler’s game which led to them selecting him, most notably the way he improved over the course of the year. Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney said, “He was coming off injury and had been sick the summer before, getting his feet back under him, feeling better, probably trying to put on some weight, feeling more comfortable as the season went along, feeling more comfortable in the league, with his own team – and that was noted. Guys now going back in, as our area (scouts) do, identify a player playing better as the season goes along. It’s usually an indicator that his competitive level is going up as the games get more important.”
Added Bruins director of amateur scouting Ryan Nadeau: “He plays a little bit more of a traditional two-way game. The offensive part has been there. He didn’t have huge numbers this year, it’s not like he was scoring 50 goals. But he’s a kid who is counted on in some key times and has been able to impact 200 feet of the rink. A player that we really like that part of his game.”
Other scouts have lauded Chandler’s two-way game as his calling card, and praise his ability to play 200 feet on the ice- traits that are becoming increasingly common in the Northeastern pipeline as Coach Keefe and his staff continue to remodel the program. One evaluator stated that his game is built around intelligence and effort, with the size to compete on the puck and play in all situations– powerplay, penalty kill, and even strength. His skating improved over the year and led to more explosiveness, and while he’s more of a playmaker than a pure goal scorer, he has a quick, accurate release when he does shoot the puck. Dom Hockey also noted that Chandler was often used in a shutdown role against other teams’ top lines, which showcased his backchecking ability, good positioning, and excellent hockey IQ when reading plays. Perhaps the most telling line from Dom’s evaluation: “He’s known for his work ethic, leadership qualities, and coachability. Teammates describe him as focused and driven, someone who leads by example and elevates the play of those around him.”
Elite Prospects’ Draft Guide describes him as having “subtle skills in his game…proactive contact, quick reads and reactions on loose pucks, slips passes through pressure, moved the puck quick, positioned himself well, and was a reliable presence on both ends.” In a nod to his breakout playoff performance, EP added “He started using a deceptive posture and crossover rushes to create space for the attack and burst past defenders…His blossoming creativity carried over to the playoffs, where he was one of the top producers on his team.”
A near-fifteen minute highlight video of all the points Chandler scored in the 2024-25 season, playoffs included, was posted to YouTube over a week ago. We watched the tape to get a read on Chandler ourselves, and the things that stuck out to us is that he lives around the net once the cycle is set up, using his frame to take away the eyes of the goalie and using his strength to box out opponents to establish space. That enables him to be in the right place for rebounds and tips, using his great hand-eye coordination and reflexes to score dirty goals almost as much as he scores on the rush with his wrist shot. Over 75% of the points scored last year were primary points (goals or primary assists), showcasing play-driving ability rather than being a passenger, and only two points were on empty net plays. He reads the play well defensively, and is quick to react once the puck is within reach. He mostly played center but also spent time at left wing.
Cole Chandler looks like the type of player who can thrive at Northeastern, showcasing the defensive skills and mental acumen to be a vital piece to the Jerry Keefe system while also showing a growing offensive game that can be flashy off the rush or thrive in the greasy areas of the ice. He projects as a top six center at Northeastern, and if he continues to develop these skills projects as a bottom six center at the NHL level. He is slated to go back to Shawinigan for the 2025-26 season, and while his enrollment year isn’t set in stone, he could enroll either Fall 2026 or 2027.
Congratulations to Cole on his commitment to Northeastern!
As always, go Huskies!