Knuble is a 2004 who Neutral Zone had rated as a “B-” for the 2022 NHL Draft. He is in his second year of NHL Draft eligibility.
| Cole Knuble | Fargo Force | USHL | R | RW | 5’11” | 185 | Notre Dame | 2023 | Grand Rapids, MI | 2004 | 2022-2023: B-2021-2022: B- |
USHL: Fargo vs Sioux Falls, November 17, 2022: During this game Knuble was an absolute playmaker. He has a great shot and release that makes him a threat to shoot at all times but really showed off his ability to find teammates tonight with four assists. He has the patients with the puck that is hard to read for defenders right when you think he will dish he holds on to it for a second later opening up a better option. He is a talented player down low and around the net always working for positioning shot deflections and gathering rebounds. Grade: A
USHL Fall Showcase, November 15, 2022: Knuble returns to Fargo after an impressive rookie campaign last season with 49 points in 60 games earning him a spot on the USHL-All Rookie team. His offensive production was present here as well as he scored the lone goal against Chicago Steel on a re-direct and he added another score and an assist against Madison; again on a re-direct on a point shot. He’s a balanced skater who lacks an explosive first step but he’s sturdy on his edges able to withstand body checks and maneuver in a crowded area. He’s got soft hands but also sturdy hands he can win puck battles with sheer determination and edge control and once he takes over possession he did a nice job protecting it using his body to shield the puck. Knuble is an honest player who takes pride in his defensive zone game he wins a high percentage of faceoffs he shadows his man in the defensive zone and has a strong stick and hard edges to knock opponents off their line. He stayed on the defensive side of the play and was a second wave of defense whenever his teammates got beat behind the net or in the corners. Offensively he has a simplified yet highly productive approach; he doesn’t overhandle he doesn’t try to beat defenders 1v1; he plays strong up the middle shoots when he has a lane or snaps a pass off and fills the lane. He intercepted several passes in the neutral zone by reading the rush and anticipating where the puck was going showing his sense and awareness and he brings that same level of focus and compete to the forecheck. He finished checks he got his stick in lanes to take away passing options and forced several defenders to throw the puck off the glass. Knuble is a selfless player in that he will drive the net without the puck to open up space for the puck carrier and he’ll do the dirty work down below the dots and feed the slot with passes in order to create offense. A true 200 ft centerman who is used in every situation and likely gets the most ice time of any forward on this team because of his range and versatility. He could add another step in his straight line speed and explosiveness to be harder to defend against and a touch more creativity as his offensive game can be a bit predictable. One of the most complete players in the league and a perfect fit for Notre Dame and the way they play. Grade: A-
NZ’s Ian Moran says, November 1, 2022: Knuble is a pitbull of a competitor who does not back down. He is willing to battle for ice in front of the opponent’s net and is very good at taking the goaltender’s eyes away on point shots. He scored two goals at the Fall Classic with both of them coming by redirecting waist height shots from the point. As a puck carrier he played with pace and showed the combination of edge work and strength to be able direction while an opposing defender was hanging on his back. On the forecheck he is an aggressive F1 who (again) gets his stick on aerial passes and generates turnovers. he may not be tall but he is thick and uses a powerful leg drive to throw opponents into the walls. He showed good hand strength winning 21/36 face-offs but we also liked his awareness to not blindly chase the puck on a defensive zone face-off loss. Grade: B
USHL: Fargo vs Green Bay, September 30, 2022: Cole was around the puck every shift he was on the ice. He got hit hard early in the second period – but came back and his play improved even more. There wasn’t a shift when he wasn’t around the puck. His ability to read the play is outstanding. He is an honest hard 200-foot player. Cole’s stick skills looked to be above average but not quite elite. Knuble played with an edge and showed the ability to read a play before it happens. His best attribute tonight was his play away from the puck as it influenced the space and chances for others. Grade: A
USHL: Fargo vs Madison, September 23, 2022: 14:19 TOI, 3:00 PPTOI, 0:01 PKTOI, 1 goal, 1 assist, +1, 3 SOG, 2 PPSOG, 3 Grade A, 2 PIMs, 9/16 face-offs, 1 hit, 1 shot blocked , 5 give aways /1 take away. Won 46% of his puck battles.
USHL: Fargo vs Chicago, September 22, 2022: 19:13 TOI, 4:28 PPTOI, 0:07 PKTOI, 1 goal, 1 assist, -1, 5 SOG, 2 PPSOG, 5 Grade A, 12/20 face-offs, 1 shot blocked 7 give aways / 5 take aways. Won 55% of his puck battles.
2022 NHL Draft Report “To B or not to B”, June 17, 2022: To be: He scored 20 goals in 62 games for Fargo. He has NHL speed and agility that he used to draw penalties in all three zones. He has a shooter’s mentality and will use his quickness to drive the net looking for rebounds. NZ US Director of Scouting Brian Murphy likes him a bit higher: “His size may scare some people but his NHL pedigree and compete level should help him. He is on pucks and plays smart hockey. His hand eye-coordination is superb and he is balanced on his blades. He outwaits goalies and puts opposing defensemen in tough spots with pace, a clever element and by forcing teams into defensive shifts with “X”s upon zone entries and cross-zone passes. His game is trending and he will explode next season” Not to be: Offensively he is content to play outside the right dot line. He won 44% of his puck battles. He attempted 346 shots during the 2021/22 season. 62 missed the net and 78 were blocked.
USHL: Fargo vs Des Moines, February 9, 2022: Smaller sized forward who’s agility and speed with the puck made him noticeable in a game that was hard to be noticeable for the Force. He showed that he can keep the puck on his stick under distress and make a play out of it. He’s not forced to make a play in the offensive zone, instead he makes his own plays. He uses his quick movements to fool defenders and beat them with speed around the outside. He has a quick release that makes him effective on the flank during the power play.
USHL: Fargo vs Tri-City, November 26 & 27, 2021: Knuble is an average size forward who plays a simple game and uses a high hockey IQ to be effective in all three zones and in all situations. He isn’t flashy in his play. Knuble reads the play well and knows where to go without the puck. The puck just seems to find him. He demonstrates good patience with the puck and just makes the right play. Knuble is excellent on face-offs and is often called upon in key situations. Grade: B
USHL: Weekend #4 Recap, October 27, 2021: He is a natural goal scoring and point producing offensive player. The majority of his scoring and his ability to generate offense comes from his ability to shoot the puck. He is also extremely intelligent, and showed a very high sense of hockey IQ. He was not a burner on the ice but with how smart he is, he just thinks himself fast. He was constantly in the high-scoring areas, and didn’t just give a fly by. He was ready to make a play or pounce on a puck. For not being the biggest guy on the ice, he spends a ton of time around the cage, and scores a lot of his goals right at the goal mouth. When pucks would be loose, he would gather them, get them low-to-high and then head right back to his area in the house looking for rebounds. When he wasn’t sniffing around the net, he did a really good job of relying on his hockey sense and finding the soft areas to open up and be a shooting option for the puck handler. His shot was really effective. He had a unique combination of deception and accuracy along with power behind it that made it really for goalies to stop it, even when they had a clean look at the puck. He does more than just score goals too. He also has the vision and understanding of where guys were and how to set them up as well, making him even more of an offensive threat. Defensively, he was a big help to d down low by being in spots that they could quickly bump pucks to him to relieve pressure. Grade: A-
2004s: USA Hockey’s Select 17’s, July 14, 2021: Cole is a player on a rapid rise. His improvement over the last two years has been significant and there are no signs of it stopping. He does not look like a player that thrives on pace and he isn’t. He is not slow however and his stride is strong with tremendous balance. He was all over the puck all week. His compete level is off the charts. He went to the net front, battled for good position and finished with poise and skill when he had chances. He finished with five goals and four assists which led the entire camp. He scored 6v5 to tie one game, he waited and deposited a rebound as he reached around to the far side, falling down in the process. He whacked a bouncing puck home. He caught a pass, held, waited for a lane and fired one home from the slot. He waited for the goalie to move and immediately deked to his backhand and scored over his pad. He drew penalties. His stick was active and elite in its placement. Cole created zone entries with pace, poise and some terrific passes. He was in great spots to defend in his end. He was tough near the net and no one outworked him. He won almost every puck battle and would move to soft ice without the puck. His hockey IQ is off the charts and he knew his way around the net. Knuble played better than anyone here. He scored big goals and made clever plays. He hit and took hits. He is a player who will be able to adjust to every level and has a very high ceiling. He plays the right way. He made both All-Star teams and the Hlinka Roster. He will have lots of options going forward. Grade: A
U16: USA Hockey National Championships, May 12, 2021: Cole does a lot of little things well for Fox Motors. He is a high compete player that plays anyway the opposition wants. He can play a simple, direct game and be physical on the forecheck. He can also play off the puck and dart in-and-out of traffic. He has a slick set of hands and knows where he is going with the puck before it gets to him. Nice one-touch passing and also chips the puck to smart areas for his teammates. Bounces off the pressure and plays with an edge around the net. Strong center that is responsible in his own zone and can be counted on to win draws. Grade: B+
U16: MAHA State Championship, April 16, 2021: Knuble was the most dominant player over the weekend creating chances at will and filling the scoresheet every game. Every time he jumps over the boards he commands your attention. His hockey sense and IQ are off the charts as he always knows where to be and finds himself in the right spot. His speed and quickness are unmatched and he can disappear from a defender in the blink of an eye. Whether it be in tight spaces or open ice he can beat a defender and create separation in a split second then make a nice pay at the net. Cole has quick, slick and soft hands that let him stay patient with the puck and allow pressure to come to him so he can slip by with ease. He is a defensemen’s nightmare when he is bearing down on them with the puck. Shift after shift he is making things happen and he is not only a prolific goalscorer but his vision is remarkable as he finds his linemates stick by looking off passes. Knuble found the scoresheet multiple times every game including a 7 point outing against Meijer. He anticipates and reads defenders as he intercepted many breakouts or regroup passes and instantly attacked up ice. Opposing players could not get around him without him lifting a stick or putting his body on them and forcing a turnover. Cole was an absolute gamer and a high-impact player driving his team every time he touched the ice. GRADE: A
U16: T1EHL Playoffs, February 17, 2021: Knuble was once again a dominant force all over the ice with and without the puck. He was able to bring so many facets to the game and had something different each time he attacked the defenders. He was shifty out of the corners, speedy burning around defensemen and he was cutting through the opposition on rushes like a hot knife. Knuble was uncontainable when he had the puck on his stick. He recorded an assist off a slick play on the defensive zone wall where he sucked in the defender and made a nice chip to Brendan Lamb where he could attack in a 2 on 1 situation. Cole jumps on all loose pucks and can turn it on in an instant when he needs to. Knuble always seemed to have another gear, just when you thought he couldn’t do more he just found a way to keep creating. He was positively effective in all situations especially the powerplay. GRADE: A
U16: T1EHL Nashville Super Showcase, November 25, 2020: A smaller strong and balanced skater with elite level hands and shot. Every time Cole touched the ice, he was creating a threatening scoring chance for his team using his vision, hands or speed. He is a nightmare for defenders as he is not only shifty and elusive but can use his power to get into them. He has a quick release that comes with a lot of zip behind getting in on the goalie in a hurry. Not a shift went by all weekend where he wasn’t producing some positive plays for his team. He had a few shifts where it seemed that he had the puck on a string and put it wherever he wanted and played keep away from the opposition. Knuble found the scoresheet multiple times every game as he was a constant offensive danger. Same goes for him on the defensive side of the puck as he is tenacious and doesn’t let anything come easy around him. GRADE – A
U16: Gaylord Michigan Showcase, October 5, 2020: Cole had his best game on the weekend as he scored on a breakaway going top shelf on the penalty kill. He has a quick release who finds a way to get open in the scoring areas. He is effective on the power play as he controls the puck and makes accurate passes and will drive to the net looking for rebounds. He is a strong skater who will work hard on the forecheck and create turnovers with his pressure on the opponents. He’s to good of a player to not be producing every game as he was only noticeable in this game. Grade B
U16: Fox Motors vs Oakland, September 14, 2020: Cole is a solid player who works hard on the forecheck and takes the body. He is a smart player who reads the ice well and anticipates the turnover and transitions quickly to offense. He had a missed opportunity on the penalty kill as he intercepted the puck and almost scored on a wrap around attempt. He is effective on the cycle as he protects the puck by using quick hands and cutting back and will take the puck to the net. Grade: B
U15: USHL Showcase, October 25, 2019: Cole plays a ton of big minutes for this Fox Motors team. He is an athletic playmaking forward that has a low center of gravity and battles hard in all three zones. He is physical and bounces off contact. He is at his best off-the-cycle in the offensive zone and he keeps his feet moving to slip by defenders. He plays a direct game and drives the puck to the net. He has a good set of hands which let him make touch plays in tight areas. Cole plays hard defensively and supports the puck well. He stops on pucks and picks up the open man on the backcheck. Does a lot of little things well that help his team win games. Will need to add another step which will let him separate easier from defenders. Solid weekend. Grade: B+
U15 Tier 1 Showcase; Lewis Center Ohio, October 8, 2019: Knuble plays with a lot of intensity and aggressiveness. He is tenacious on the fore check, in puck races, and puck battles. He creates a lot of havoc in the offensive zone fore checking and chasing after loose pucks. He uses his explosive acceleration and feet to get on puck carriers and apply pressure. His puck skills are very good and he can generate offensive chances with the puck. Crafty handler of the puck and play maker. Grade: B
2004s: World Select Invite, July 10, 2019: Cole is a new player for Neutral Zone. His July birthday put him on the younger end of the spectrum here. He is still very small but there is size in the family so that will change. We liked Cole’s stride and as he gets stronger, he will get even faster. He is quick and fast now and anticipated offensive plays very well. He seems one step ahead of the rest. He is tough and showed he was willing to mix it up. His hands are reliable and he made plays all week. He has ice in his veins and is really poised when he gets the puck. He has a very high upside. His IQ is high and his basic tools are intact. Grade: B+
2004s: MAHA Festival, June 30, 2019: Cole is a smaller player but quick on his feet. He creates scoring opportunities by making quick passes and getting open for a return pass. He set up his teammates for a couple goals by using his vision and accurate passes. He is difficult to handle in the offensive zone by moving his feet and he is constantly working hard on the forecheck.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images