Paul Cotter Family: Girlfriend, Children, Parents, and Siblings

Last Updated on November 9, 2026 by Bernald Sanders

Paul Cotter is an American professional ice hockey player who plays for the Vancouver Canucks in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on November 16, 1999, in Canton, Michigan, United States, Cotter grew up in a highly athletic family that encouraged competition, discipline, and dedication to sports.

His parents are Paul Cotter Sr. and Lisa Cotter, both of whom have backgrounds in competitive athletics. He also has two younger siblings: a brother named Jack Cotter, who plays college ice hockey, and a sister named Mileena Cotter, a talented collegiate lacrosse player.

In his personal life, Cotter is engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Caylie. He proposed during a trip to Switzerland in 2026, marking an important milestone in their relationship.

Paul Cotter’s Girlfriend and Relationship History

Caylie – Paul Cotter’s Fiancée

Paul Cotter is engaged to Caylie, his longtime girlfriend and romantic partner.

Although the couple have maintained some privacy surrounding their relationship, they have occasionally appeared together at NHL events and team celebrations.

In October 2025, Cotter and Caylie attended the New Jersey Devils’ annual Halloween party. According to The Hockey News, the couple dressed as Britney Spears and an astronaut, recreating the theme of the singer’s famous “Oops!… I Did It Again” music video.

Cotter later discussed their costumes during an interview, explaining that he enjoyed wearing the astronaut helmet because it allowed him to surprise teammates who initially did not recognize him.

The appearance offered fans a rare public glimpse of his relationship.

Caylie has also appeared in social media coverage under the Instagram handle @cayliemccall, although detailed information about her occupation, education, and personal background remains limited.

Paul Cotter and Caylie’s Engagement

Paul Cotter proposed to his girlfriend Caylie during a trip to Grindelwald, Switzerland, in 2026.

The engagement occurred during a memorable summer that also included Cotter representing the United States at the IIHF World Championship.

In an August 7, 2026, interview with The Hockey News, Cotter discussed his eventful offseason, which included the engagement, his decision to join the Vancouver Canucks, and attending the wedding of former New Jersey Devils teammate Jesper Bratt in Italy.

The proposal took place in the picturesque Swiss alpine village of Grindelwald, known for its mountain scenery.

The engagement was another significant development in Cotter’s personal life as he prepared to begin a new chapter of his professional hockey career in Vancouver.

In November 2026, the couple attended the Vancouver Canucks’ Halloween celebration dressed as Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley.

Coverage from CanucksArmy and Daily Hive identified Caylie as Cotter’s fiancée, confirming that the couple remained engaged.

Is Paul Cotter Married?

Paul Cotter is publicly known to be engaged to Caylie, but there has been no verified announcement confirming that they have married.

The couple’s engagement was reported in 2026, and subsequent media coverage continued identifying Caylie as his fiancée.

No reliable public information has established a wedding date or location.

Does Paul Cotter Have Children?

There are no verified public reports confirming that Paul Cotter has children.

The Vancouver Canucks forward has discussed his parents, siblings, and fiancée in interviews, but he has not publicly announced the birth of a son or daughter.

Although Cotter has spoken about the challenges NHL players face when relocating their families, those comments do not establish that he is a father.

Consequently, the names, ages, or birth dates of any potential children remain unconfirmed.

Paul Cotter’s Parents

Paul Cotter was born to Paul Cotter Sr. and Lisa Cotter, who raised him alongside his younger brother and sister in Canton, Michigan.

Both parents have strong athletic backgrounds.

His father was an accomplished wrestler, while his mother was a highly competitive gymnast.

Their experience with sports helped create a supportive and competitive environment for their children.

In a November 2024 interview published by the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA), Cotter explained that his parents encouraged all three children to pursue their athletic ambitions.

Paul Cotter Sr. – Paul Cotter’s Father

Paul Cotter Sr. is the father of NHL player Paul Cotter.

He was an accomplished wrestler during his younger years, according to reporting by the NHLPA and Social House News.

His sporting background helped influence the family’s approach to athletics.

Rather than concentrating exclusively on hockey, Paul Sr. encouraged his children to pursue sports they enjoyed and to develop discipline through consistent practice.

He also played an important role in introducing Paul to organized ice hockey.

How Paul Cotter’s Father Introduced Him to Hockey

In a July 2023 interview with Social House News, Cotter recalled how his interest in hockey began.

While returning home from church with his family, he noticed a neighbor playing street hockey in a driveway.

He became interested in trying the sport, and his parents agreed to enroll him in skating lessons.

Initially, however, Cotter disliked skating.

His parents encouraged him to complete the lessons before deciding whether to continue.

By the end of the program, he had developed greater confidence on the ice and began enjoying the sport.

That early experience eventually developed into a passion for competitive hockey.

Paul Sr. continued supporting his son throughout youth hockey, junior competition, and his eventual transition to the NHL.

Paul Cotter Sr.’s Support During His Son’s NHL Career

Paul Sr. regularly traveled to watch his son compete in the NHL.

In December 2022, he and Lisa drove approximately four hours from Canton, Michigan, to Chicago to watch Paul play for the Vegas Golden Knights against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The parents secured seats close to the Vegas bench and posed for a photograph with their son.

The moment was documented by NHL.com and highlighted their continued enthusiasm for his career.

Paul Sr. also celebrated his son’s greatest professional achievement when the Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup in June 2023.

Later that summer, the family brought the championship trophy to Canton, where relatives, friends, and local hockey supporters gathered to celebrate.

The occasion represented an important moment for a father who had watched his son develop from a young beginner into a Stanley Cup champion.

Lisa Cotter – Paul Cotter’s Mother

Lisa Cotter, identified as Dona Lisa Cotter in Syracuse University’s official athletic records, is Paul Cotter’s mother.

She has a background in competitive gymnastics and has been described as an Olympic-caliber gymnast.

Lisa has also worked in children’s athletic education through TumbleBunnies, an organization offering gymnastics and other physical activity programs.

Her experience with sports helped shape the family’s commitment to athletic development.

She encouraged her children to work hard, maintain confidence, and pursue activities they genuinely enjoyed.

Lisa Cotter’s Dedication to Her Children

Lisa has played an important role in supporting the athletic careers of all three Cotter children.

During Paul’s early hockey development, she regularly traveled to practices, tournaments, and games.

She also supported Jack’s hockey career and Mileena’s development as a competitive lacrosse player.

According to a November 2024 NHLPA article, Lisa spent three summers traveling with Mileena to Maryland so her daughter could compete with a high-level lacrosse organization.

Because competitive girls’ lacrosse opportunities were relatively limited in Michigan, the family sought additional opportunities on the East Coast.

Lisa’s willingness to travel reflected the same commitment she had demonstrated during Paul’s hockey development.

Lisa Cotter’s Emotional Support for Paul

In November 2024, Lisa participated in the New Jersey Devils’ mothers’ trip and spoke with The Hockey News about her son’s professional journey.

She explained that supporting a young athlete involves helping them through both successful moments and difficult experiences.

Lisa also emphasized that professional players should understand that their value extends beyond their performances on the ice.

She wanted Paul to recognize that he was not only a hockey player but also a valued son and brother.

During the trip, Lisa attended a Devils practice and enthusiastically greeted Paul as he entered the ice.

The team documented the amusing interaction in an official feature.

Her outgoing personality and continued involvement in Paul’s career have made her a familiar figure in stories about the Cotter family.

Paul Cotter’s Siblings

Paul Cotter has two younger siblings: a brother named Jack Cotter and a sister named Mileena Cotter.

Both have pursued competitive sports, following the athletic tradition established by their parents.

The three siblings grew up playing games together and regularly challenged one another in different sporting activities.

Jack Cotter – Paul Cotter’s Younger Brother

Jack Cotter is Paul Cotter’s younger brother and a college ice hockey player.

Like Paul, Jack grew up in Canton, Michigan, and developed an early interest in hockey.

He attended Salem High School before continuing his athletic career through junior hockey.

Jack played for the Leamington Flyers in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL), helping the team win the Sutherland Cup championship.

He subsequently joined Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he plays NCAA Division III men’s ice hockey.

According to Augsburg University’s official 2026–27 roster, Jack is a junior forward.

Although he has followed a different development path from his older brother, both share a commitment to competitive hockey.

Paul and Jack Cotter’s Relationship

Paul and Jack developed a close relationship through their shared passion for hockey.

During childhood, they frequently played mini-stick hockey in the family’s basement alongside their younger sister, Mileena.

The games became extremely competitive, with the brothers constantly challenging each other.

In a November 2024 NHLPA interview, Paul expressed pride in Jack’s achievements and explained that he enjoyed following his younger brother’s sporting career.

The brothers have continued supporting each other despite pursuing hockey opportunities in different locations.

Mileena Cotter – Paul Cotter’s Younger Sister

Mileena Cotter is Paul Cotter’s younger sister and a talented American lacrosse player.

Born in June 2006, Mileena grew up in Canton, Michigan, where she attended Salem High School.

Although her older brothers pursued ice hockey, she developed a strong interest in lacrosse.

Her athletic achievements earned her national recognition during high school.

In 2024, Mileena was named USA Today’s Girls High School Sports Awards National Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year.

She also received multiple All-America honors and established several scoring records.

During her senior year, she scored 215 goals, breaking Michigan’s single-season record.

She finished her high school career with 472 goals, a national high school record according to Syracuse University’s athletic biography.

Her performances earned her an opportunity to play college lacrosse at Syracuse University.

Mileena Cotter’s College Lacrosse Career

Mileena joined Syracuse University’s women’s lacrosse program for the 2025 season.

During her freshman year, she appeared in 19 games and scored 21 goals while adding two assists.

She also received recognition for her academic achievements.

In the 2026 season, she appeared in all 20 games, recording 13 goals and one assist.

Syracuse University’s 2026–27 athletic roster identifies Mileena as a junior midfielder studying Communications and Rhetorical Studies.

Her progress has helped establish her as another successful athlete in the Cotter family.

Paul Cotter’s Relationship With His Sister

Paul and Mileena share a close and competitive sibling relationship.

In a November 2024 NHLPA feature, Mileena recalled playing mini-stick hockey with Paul and Jack in their basement.

Because she was the youngest sibling, her brothers frequently made her play goalkeeper.

Paul challenged her to stop several shots before she could leave the game, sometimes playfully refusing to count her final save.

Mileena explained that these experiences helped develop her competitive personality.

She has also described Paul as an important role model because of his determination and work ethic.

Paul has expressed similar admiration for his sister, saying that he enjoys watching her succeed in lacrosse.

The siblings continue to challenge each other during family visits, sometimes playing hockey and lacrosse together.

Paul Cotter’s Family and His Stanley Cup Victory

One of the most memorable events in Paul Cotter’s family history occurred when the Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup in 2023.

Cotter appeared in 55 regular-season games during the 2022–23 campaign, recording 13 goals and five assists.

Although he did not participate in the playoffs, he qualified to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup through his regular-season contributions.

In September 2023, Cotter brought the trophy to Canton, Michigan.

His parents and sister joined him for the celebration, while his brother Jack was playing junior hockey outside the state.

The family met with friends, former teammates, coaches, and local hockey supporters.

The celebration also included a return to the arena where Cotter had taken his earliest skating lessons.

For his parents, the moment represented years of early mornings, travel commitments, and encouragement.

Paul Cotter’s Family Background and Childhood

Paul Cotter grew up in Canton, Michigan, where sports were an important part of family life.

He attended Workman Elementary School, Discovery Middle School, and Salem High School before leaving Michigan to pursue junior hockey opportunities.

His early hockey development included playing for the Brookings Blizzard in the North American Hockey League.

He later joined the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League.

The Vegas Golden Knights selected Cotter in the fourth round, 115th overall, of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

He briefly attended Western Michigan University before joining the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League.

After spending time developing in the American Hockey League, he made his NHL debut with Vegas on November 9, 2021.

He subsequently became part of the Golden Knights’ 2023 Stanley Cup championship team.

In June 2024, Vegas traded Cotter to the New Jersey Devils.

He spent two seasons with New Jersey before signing a one-year, $2.15 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks on July 1, 2026.

His career reflects the determination and competitive mindset encouraged by his parents throughout childhood.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paul Cotter’s Family

Who is Paul Cotter’s girlfriend?

Paul Cotter’s longtime girlfriend is Caylie. The couple became engaged in 2026 during a trip to Grindelwald, Switzerland.

Is Paul Cotter married?

Paul Cotter is engaged to Caylie, but there is no verified public announcement confirming that they have married.

Does Paul Cotter have children?

There are no publicly verified reports confirming that Paul Cotter has children.

Who is Paul Cotter’s father?

His father is Paul Cotter Sr., a former competitive wrestler who supported his son’s hockey development from childhood.

Who is Paul Cotter’s mother?

His mother is Lisa Cotter, a former competitive gymnast who has also worked in children’s athletic education through TumbleBunnies.

How many siblings does Paul Cotter have?

Paul Cotter has two younger siblings: Jack Cotter and Mileena Cotter.

Does Paul Cotter’s brother play hockey?

Yes. Jack Cotter plays college ice hockey for Augsburg University in Minnesota. He previously played junior hockey with the Leamington Flyers.

Who is Paul Cotter’s sister?

His sister is Mileena Cotter, a Syracuse University women’s lacrosse player who received national recognition for her high school performances.

When did Paul Cotter get engaged?

Paul Cotter proposed to Caylie during a trip to Grindelwald, Switzerland, in 2026.

Where did Paul Cotter grow up?

Paul Cotter grew up in Canton, Michigan, United States, where he developed his passion for hockey before pursuing junior and professional opportunities.