Last Updated on November 12, 2026 by Bernald Sanders
Ian Cole is an American professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenseman for the Chicago Blackhawks in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on February 21, 1989, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Cole is known for his defensive abilities, physical playing style, and extensive NHL experience.
Selected 18th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2007 NHL Draft, Cole has enjoyed a lengthy professional career, winning two Stanley Cup championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.
Beyond his achievements on the ice, fans are interested in Ian Cole’s family, including his wife, children, parents, and siblings.
Cole comes from a supportive American family. His parents, Doug Cole and Connie Cole, encouraged his hockey development from childhood, while his younger sister, MacKinzie Cole, also participated in competitive hockey.
He married Jordan Rockwell in June 2015, and the couple has children, including a child named Hayden.
Who Is Ian Cole’s Wife or Girlfriend?
Ian Cole’s publicly documented wife is Jordan Cole, formerly Jordan Rockwell. The couple married in June 2015, during Cole’s early years with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Jordan attended the University of Notre Dame, where Ian also played collegiate ice hockey.
According to biographical reporting published in 2016, the couple met during their college years and maintained a relationship before marrying.
Jordan graduated from Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business in 2011, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.
She subsequently pursued a professional career in business and financial services.
During the early stages of her career, Jordan worked in internships and business-related positions before becoming associated with investment management firm GCM Grosvenor.
Although Jordan has occasionally appeared in public reporting about Ian’s NHL career, she generally maintains a private personal life.
Reliable reporting confirms their marriage, although their current marital circumstances have not been extensively discussed in recent public interviews.
Ian Cole and Jordan Rockwell’s Marriage
Ian Cole and Jordan Rockwell married in June 2015, shortly after Cole completed his first season with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The wedding represented an important personal milestone during a significant period in his professional career.
In August 2016, NHL.com reported that Jordan accompanied Ian during his Stanley Cup celebration in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The couple visited Ian’s parents’ home, where Jordan noticed a framed photograph of her husband lifting the Stanley Cup.
She described the experience as emotional and memorable because winning the championship had been one of Ian’s lifelong ambitions.
The celebration included family members, childhood friends, and local hockey supporters.
Jordan also supported Ian during other professional milestones.
In October 2017, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette identified Jordan as Cole’s wife while reporting on his recovery from a facial injury.
In June 2021, BusinessDen reported that Ian and Jordan jointly managed a company associated with their former home in Denver, Colorado.
These reports establish their publicly documented marriage and shared family life.
How Many Children Does Ian Cole Have?
Ian Cole and Jordan Cole have children, including a child named Hayden.
In October 2024, ALLCITY Network published a feature about Utah Hockey Club players who had welcomed babies during the previous year.
The report identified Ian and Jordan Cole among the couples celebrating a new arrival and named their child Hayden.
It also indicated that the Coles had already experienced parenthood before Hayden’s birth.
However, the exact number of their children has not been clearly established through the stronger public sports sources reviewed.
Hayden Cole – Ian Cole’s Child
Hayden is a publicly documented child of Ian and Jordan Cole.
Hayden’s arrival was mentioned in an October 30, 2024, article by hockey journalist Craig Morgan.
The feature discussed several Utah Hockey Club players whose families had welcomed newborn children during the preceding year.
Ian and Jordan were included among the families celebrating the arrival of a baby.
Although Hayden’s first name was publicly disclosed, the report did not provide a verified exact birth date or additional biographical details.
The couple has generally kept their children’s personal lives outside the public spotlight.
Ian Cole’s Other Children
Public reporting indicates that Ian and Jordan were already parents before Hayden’s arrival.
A 2022 family obituary also identifies younger members of the extended Cole family, including individuals named Ian Jr. and Rockwell, although it does not explicitly establish their parentage.
For that reason, those names should not automatically be attributed to Ian Cole’s children without additional confirmation.
While Cole’s family life has occasionally appeared in hockey reporting, he has not widely discussed the names, ages, or other personal details of all his children.
Who Are Ian Cole’s Parents?
Ian Cole’s parents are Doug Cole and Connie Cole. They raised Ian and his younger sister in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States.
Their names are confirmed by the University of Notre Dame’s official athletics biography.
Both parents played important roles in Ian’s hockey development, particularly through their involvement in the Ann Arbor hockey community.
Ian Cole’s Father: Doug Cole
Doug Cole is Ian Cole’s father, a dentist, and a longtime recreational ice hockey player.
His enthusiasm for hockey helped introduce Ian to the sport during early childhood.
In a September 2013 interview with The Pink Puck, Ian explained that his father began teaching him to skate when he was approximately two years old.
Doug enjoyed playing recreational hockey and encouraged his son to develop skating skills through outdoor rinks and organized youth programs.
He also coached Ian during his earliest years of competitive hockey.
According to Ian, his father emphasized teamwork rather than individual goal scoring.
During childhood games, Doug sometimes limited how often Ian could skate through the opposing team to score by himself.
The approach encouraged Ian to pass the puck, involve teammates, and develop a stronger understanding of the game.
Doug also maintained an interest in Ian’s professional career.
In October 2017, Ian suffered a facial injury after being struck by a puck during a Pittsburgh Penguins game.
The injury damaged several teeth, creating an unusual situation because his father was a dentist.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Doug asked questions about his son’s dental treatment and remained involved in monitoring his recovery.
Ian later recalled that his father’s advice about wearing mouth protection had become particularly relevant.
Doug also attended significant milestones during his son’s professional career.
In December 2024, he accompanied Ian on the Utah Hockey Club’s annual Mentors Trip.
The team subsequently featured Doug in a report discussing the importance of family relationships.
His continued involvement highlights the close connection between father and son.
Ian Cole’s Mother: Connie Cole
Connie Cole is Ian Cole’s mother and another important figure in his personal life.
She helped raise Ian and his younger sister in Ann Arbor while supporting their education and sporting interests.
Connie has family roots in Chicago, Illinois.
According to reporting published in October 2026, she spent part of her childhood in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood before moving to Hinsdale.
Her connection to Chicago helped establish Ian’s early familiarity with the Blackhawks organization.
In a 2021 interview with the NHL Players’ Association, Ian discussed the importance of his mother’s advice during childhood.
He explained that Connie encouraged him to take education seriously and develop interests outside hockey.
She wanted him to maintain several career possibilities rather than depend entirely on professional sports.
Ian also recalled working alongside his mother for the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Department.
They helped prepare soccer fields for weekend matches, including setting up goals, nets, and corner flags.
The experience taught Ian the importance of earning money and maintaining a strong work ethic.
Connie was also present when Ian celebrated his first Stanley Cup championship in Ann Arbor in August 2016.
In interviews with NHL.com and MiHockey, she expressed pride in both his professional achievements and his involvement in the local community.
She particularly appreciated his decision to share the Stanley Cup with children and families facing medical challenges.
In November 2025, Connie accompanied Ian during the Utah Mammoth’s annual mothers’ trip.
The occasion provided an opportunity for them to spend time together and experience life around the NHL team.
Ian Cole’s Siblings
Ian Cole has one younger sister named MacKinzie Cole.
The University of Notre Dame’s official player biography confirms that he has one sister.
Her name is also documented in family records published by the Ann Arbor News and Chicago Tribune.
MacKinzie Cole – Ian Cole’s Younger Sister
MacKinzie Cole is Ian Cole’s younger sister.
She grew up alongside Ian in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where hockey was an important part of family life.
Like her older brother, MacKinzie developed an interest in competitive ice hockey.
During a September 2013 interview with The Pink Puck, Ian explained that his younger sister had played hockey throughout high school and was attending college at the time.
He described hockey as a family activity because his father also played recreationally and his parents followed their children’s games.
MacKinzie’s relationship with Ian is confirmed in a September 2008 obituary for their paternal grandmother, Joan Cole.
The obituary identifies Doug and Connie Cole as the parents of Ian and MacKinzie.
A November 2022 obituary for their maternal grandfather, Thomas Francis Meagher, also lists both siblings.
Although her family relationship and early involvement in hockey are publicly documented, detailed information about MacKinzie’s current professional activities and personal life is limited.
She generally maintains a private life outside her brother’s professional hockey career.
Does Ian Cole Have Any Brothers?
Ian Cole has no publicly documented biological brothers.
His official Notre Dame biography identifies one sister, and his mother has described the household as having two children.
However, Ian grew up with several young hockey players who lived with his family through the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
These players became part of the family’s extended hockey community, and Ian has sometimes described them as billet brothers.
Ian Cole’s Grandparents and Extended Family
Ian Cole also comes from an extended family with strong connections to Michigan and Illinois.
Ian Cole’s Maternal Grandfather: Thomas Francis Meagher
Thomas Francis Meagher was Ian Cole’s maternal grandfather.
According to an obituary published by the Chicago Tribune in November 2022, Meagher was born in Chicago and became a prominent businessman and civic leader.
He served as president of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau and held leadership positions in several transportation and business organizations.
He was the father of Connie Cole and grandfather of Ian and MacKinzie.
His career and family connections contributed to the Cole family’s longstanding ties to Chicago.
Thomas Meagher died in November 2022 at the age of 92.
Ian Cole’s Paternal Grandmother: Joan Cole
Joan Cole was Ian Cole’s paternal grandmother.
She lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and worked for many years as a bookseller.
According to her September 2008 obituary in the Ann Arbor News, Joan was actively involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren.
She enjoyed attending family sporting events and other activities.
Her obituary identifies Ian and MacKinzie Cole among her grandchildren.
Joan died in September 2008.
Ian Cole’s Family Background and Early Life
Ian Douglas Cole was born on February 21, 1989, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States.
He grew up in a family with a strong interest in hockey.
His father introduced him to skating at approximately two years old, while his mother encouraged him to balance sports with education.
Cole learned to skate at Yost Ice Arena and also spent time at outdoor rinks around Ann Arbor.
He participated in youth hockey programs organized by the Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association.
His family was also involved in supporting players from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
According to an August 2016 NHL.com report, the Coles provided accommodation for eight young players over several years.
Living alongside talented hockey prospects gave Ian additional exposure to elite-level training and competition.
He later joined the National Team Development Program himself.
His performances attracted attention from college hockey programs and NHL scouts.
In June 2007, the St. Louis Blues selected him in the first round of the NHL Draft with the 18th overall pick.
Rather than immediately beginning his professional career, Cole attended the University of Notre Dame.
He played three seasons of college hockey, becoming one of the program’s leading defensemen.
In 2010, he signed his first professional contract with the St. Louis Blues.
How Ian Cole’s Family Supported His NHL Career
Ian Cole has repeatedly acknowledged the sacrifices made by his parents throughout his hockey development.
They helped him attend practices, tournaments, and training sessions during childhood.
His father provided practical hockey instruction, while his mother encouraged education and personal responsibility.
After beginning his NHL career with St. Louis in November 2010, Cole continued developing as a dependable defensive player.
He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2015.
In June 2016, he helped Pittsburgh defeat the San Jose Sharks to win the Stanley Cup.
The following year, the Penguins won another championship, defeating the Nashville Predators in the 2017 Stanley Cup Final.
Cole became a two-time Stanley Cup champion, an achievement that brought tremendous pride to his family.
In August 2016, he returned to Ann Arbor with the Stanley Cup and organized several community events.
He visited local restaurants, his former ice rink, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, and Ronald McDonald House.
His wife Jordan, parents, and other relatives participated in the celebrations.
The event demonstrated how closely his professional success remained connected to his childhood community.
Ian Cole’s Return to Chicago and His 1,000th NHL Game
On July 1, 2026, the Chicago Blackhawks announced that Ian Cole had signed a one-year contract worth $4 million.
The agreement brought him closer to relatives living in the Chicago area.
In a July 2026 interview with the Daily Herald, Cole explained that his mother’s family had longstanding connections to the city.
He also recalled visiting Chicago during childhood and attending Blackhawks games with relatives.
On October 23, 2026, Cole reached the milestone of 1,000 NHL regular-season games.
The Blackhawks celebrated the achievement, highlighting his longevity, professionalism, and contributions to the teams he had represented.
During an interview published by the organization, Cole expressed appreciation for his parents and the sacrifices they had made throughout his amateur and professional hockey career.
He emphasized that his achievements would not have been possible without the encouragement of his family, coaches, teammates, and other supporters.
Reaching the milestone while playing in Chicago was particularly meaningful because of his family’s connection to the city.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ian Cole’s Family
Who is Ian Cole’s wife?
Ian Cole married Jordan Rockwell in June 2015. She has been publicly identified as Jordan Cole in NHL reporting and other established publications.
How did Ian Cole meet Jordan Rockwell?
Biographical reporting indicates that Ian Cole and Jordan Rockwell met during their college years at the University of Notre Dame.
When did Ian Cole get married?
Ian Cole married Jordan Rockwell in June 2015, shortly after joining the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Does Ian Cole have children?
Yes. Ian Cole has children with Jordan Cole. A 2024 hockey feature identifies a child named Hayden and indicates that the couple had already experienced parenthood before Hayden’s arrival.
How many children does Ian Cole have?
Public reporting indicates at least two children, but the precise number has not been conclusively established in the reliable sources reviewed.
Who is Ian Cole’s father?
Ian Cole’s father is Doug Cole, a dentist and recreational hockey player who introduced his son to skating during early childhood.
Who is Ian Cole’s mother?
Ian Cole’s mother is Connie Cole. She supported his hockey career and emphasized the importance of education, hard work, and community involvement.
Does Ian Cole have siblings?
Yes. Ian Cole has one younger sister named MacKinzie Cole.
Who is Ian Cole’s sister?
MacKinzie Cole is Ian Cole’s younger sister. She played competitive hockey through high school before attending college.
Does Ian Cole have a brother?
No biological brothers are publicly documented. However, Ian grew up with several youth hockey players who lived with his family through the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
Where is Ian Cole’s family from?
Ian Cole grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His mother’s family also has longstanding roots in Chicago, Illinois.
What does Ian Cole’s father do for a living?
Doug Cole is a dentist. His profession received public attention in 2017 when Ian suffered a facial injury during a Pittsburgh Penguins game.
How many Stanley Cups has Ian Cole won?
Ian Cole has won two Stanley Cup championships, both with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.
Living and breathing ice hockey, Bernald Sanders delivers comprehensive coverage of the NHL season from puck drop to the Stanley Cup Finals. He specializes in tactical breakdowns, trade analysis, power-play strategies, and tracking rising draft prospects. Bernald turns fast-paced on-ice action into clear, sharp insights for hockey fans around the globe.
