Blake Coleman
Blake Coleman | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 28, 1991 Plano, Texas, United States |
| Other names | "Pickles" |
| Occupation | Professional ice hockey forward |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Known for | NHL player, alternate captain for the Calgary Flames, two-time Stanley Cup champion with Tampa Bay Lightning |
Blake Coleman (born November 28, 1991), known by the nickname "Pickles," is a professional ice hockey forward from the United States and serves as an alternate captain for the Calgary Flames in the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected 75th overall by the New Jersey Devils during the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, he spent five seasons with the franchise before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Coleman achieved back-to-back Stanley Cup victories with Tampa Bay in 2020 and 2021, becoming only the second player born in Texas to win the Stanley Cup and the first to develop entirely within the state.
Early life
Hailing from Plano, Texas, Coleman was born to parents Sandy and Rusty. His family has a strong athletic background; his father competed in football at the University of Oklahoma, while his sister Brooke played volleyball at Ohio University. Growing up alongside three elder siblings, Coleman's introduction to ice hockey came early when his grandmother took him to watch Dallas Stars games during his toddler years. He began skating at age five at an ice rink in Irving, Texas, prior to a facility opening in Plano.
Amateur
Raised in Texas, Coleman frequently trained with older players and started practice sessions early due to limited availability of ice time. As a youth competitor, he took part in the 2004 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament representing the Dallas Alliance minor hockey team. During middle school, he was recruited by a Detroit-area Catholic school to join the Belle Tire 16U AAA squad competing in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League (T1EHL), where coach Kyle Krug emphasized a more physical, defensive approach. Coleman reported gaining 25 pounds that season as a result of rigorous strength training.
After falling short in the national championship semifinals, Coleman returned to Texas aiming to advance his skills with hopes of joining the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. He spent two seasons with the Dallas Stars Elite Hockey Club, contributing to their fifth and second-place finishes at national midget major tournaments. Although approached by teams from the North American Hockey League, he opted for the United States Hockey League (USHL), appearing in 22 games for the Tri-City Storm before being traded to the Indiana Ice. Undrafted in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Coleman came back for the 2010–11 USHL season, which proved to be a breakout campaign.
That season, he topped USHL scoring charts with 34 goals and 58 assists totaling 90 points—the highest since 1999-2000 and first time surpassing 90 points since 2001–02. Additionally, Coleman set league records with 29 multi-point games and a +52 plus-minus rating, marking the best performance since USHL's Tier I status commenced in 2002. His achievements earned him USHL Player of the Year, Forward of the Year awards, and the prestigious Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award, along with selection to the USHL First All-Star Team.
Although recruited by Derek Lalonde for the men's ice hockey program at the University of Denver, Coleman had already committed to play for Miami University. Prior to beginning his collegiate career at Miami, he was drafted in the third round, 75th overall, by the New Jersey Devils during the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Despite not receiving an invitation to attend the NHL Combine, Devils personnel designed specific physical testing protocols including jump measurements and cardiovascular evaluations for him.
Collegiate
Coleman represented the Miami RedHawks at Miami University from 2011 through 2015, where he completed a business degree at the Farmer School of Business. He registered his initial collegiate assist on October 8, 2011, followed by his first goal later that same month. Although the team experienced early difficulties, Coleman and his fellow freshmen contributed to a marked improvement in the RedHawks' results, with Coleman ranking tied for 11th among CCHA rookies by January. His impressive performance earned him the CCHA Rookie of the Week distinction in January 2012. He closed his freshman year with a total of 12 goals and 11 assists over 39 contests.
Subsequently, Coleman attended the New Jersey Devils' Rookie Camp in 2012 before returning for the 2012–13 season, during which he played a vital role in advancing Miami to the Midwest Regional semifinals. He led his team in goals and points early on, securing CCHA Offensive Player of the Week honors in October 2012. Coleman ended the season with nine goals and ten assists, helping Miami earn an NCAA tournament berth and gain selection to the NCAA All-Midwest Regional Team.
After completing his sophomore year, Coleman once again participated in the New Jersey Devils' Rookie Camp. His 2013–14 campaign was curtailed to 27 games due to injury but featured standout moments such as a hat trick against North Dakota and multiple assists in a game against Canisius. Upon recovery, he scored eight goals across six games, which earned him NCHC Offensive Player of the Week recognition in March 2014. He concluded that season with personal bests of 19 goals and 28 points and was honored with inclusion on the NCHC Academic All-Conference team.
In his senior collegiate season, Coleman surpassed previous personal records in goals, assists, and total points. Early in the season, he received NCHC Offensive Player of the Week accolades and delivered a hat trick during the NCHC Frozen Faceoff championship game, leading Miami to a 3–2 victory over St. Cloud State. Despite being ejected and subsequently suspended for one game during that contest, he was named NCHC Tournament MVP and earned a place on the All-Tournament Team. Additionally, Coleman garnered Miami Athlete of the Week and NCHC Player of the Month awards, culminating an exceptional college career.
New Jersey Devils
Upon graduating from Miami University, Coleman inked a two-year entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils. He commenced the 2015–16 season with their AHL affiliate Albany Devils, tallying four goals and three assists across 14 games before suffering a season-ending injury. Returning for the following season, Coleman accumulated 13 goals and 10 assists in 34 AHL contests prior to receiving an NHL call-up. He made his NHL debut on January 12, 2017, soon earning his first NHL point. Over 23 games that season with New Jersey, Coleman’s notable speed and tenacity secured him minutes on a shutdown line.
In July 2017, Coleman agreed to a one-year, two-way contract worth $660,000 with the Devils. Throughout the 2017–18 NHL campaign, he appeared in 79 games, producing 13 goals—including a team-leading three shorthanded—and adding 12 assists for a total of 25 points. Coleman played significant roles on both offensive and defensive lines and made his Stanley Cup playoff debut, contributing two goals over five postseason games. After initiating salary arbitration proceedings, he finalized a three-year deal worth $5.4 million in July 2018.
During the first year under his new contract, Coleman elevated his performance by setting career highs in goals, assists, and overall points. The Devils began strongly but encountered mid-season challenges. By December 2018, Coleman had amassed eight points in eight games and assumed team scoring leadership following Taylor Hall’s injury. He matched his prior season’s goal total in fewer appearances and ranked second on the squad with 18 goals by late January. Despite a brief injury setback in February, Coleman gained valuable top-line experience and reached a career milestone of 30 points by March’s end. He wrapped up that season with totals of 22 goals and 14 assists over 78 games.
Heading into the 2019–20 season, expectations placed Coleman in a bottom-six role; however, he initially formed a line alongside rookie Jack Hughes and veteran Wayne Simmonds to blend youth with experience. After Hughes was replaced by Nikita Gusev on Coleman's line, production surged: by mid-November, he had recorded four goals and two assists over six games. In January 2020, Coleman achieved his first NHL hat trick, becoming only the second player born in Texas to do so. On February 16, 2020—having accumulated 21 goals and ten assists through 57 games—Coleman was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Nolan Foote along with a conditional first-round draft pick.
Tampa Bay Lightning
After joining the Lightning, Coleman made his debut on February 20, positioned on the third line alongside Mitchell Stephens and Yanni Gourde. He briefly stepped away for one game to attend the birth of his daughter before resuming practice on February 28. Coleman appeared in nine contests with Tampa Bay, contributing one assist before the NHL suspended play due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this span, he was paired with Barclay Goodrow on the penalty kill, delivered 25 hits, and averaged two shots per game. Coleman remained in Tampa for approximately five to six weeks following the pause before moving to Dallas.
When NHL action resumed, Coleman took part in training camp ahead of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs. In their round-robin opener versus the Washington Capitals, he joined Goodrow and Gourde on the third line—a trio favored by coach Jon Cooper for their comparable playing styles. This unit persisted through the First Round against the Columbus Blue Jackets, drawing parallels to Tampa Bay’s 2015 "Triplets Line." Together, they amassed five points in Game 4, with Coleman netting his inaugural goal for Tampa Bay in Game 5. Their aggressive forechecking and timely scoring earned praise and were instrumental in clinching the series.
During the Second Round against the Boston Bruins, Coleman continued alongside Goodrow and Gourde. He recorded two goals in Game 2, leveling the series at 1–1 and marking his first multi-goal and multi-point performance in the playoffs. Averaging over 15 minutes of even-strength ice time and nearly two minutes shorthanded per game, Coleman emerged as an underrated yet vital contributor in advancing to the Eastern Conference Final. Analysts highlighted his determination and resilience as key elements in Tampa Bay’s Stanley Cup campaign.
Following a six-game victory over the New York Islanders, Coleman and the Lightning advanced to face the Dallas Stars in the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals. His third line effectively limited Dallas to a single power play goal across 19 opportunities. In Game 6, Coleman scored Tampa Bay’s second goal, helping secure their second Stanley Cup championship. This achievement made him the first player born in Texas to win a Stanley Cup.
In the abbreviated 2020–21 season, Coleman reunited with Goodrow and Gourde. The trio combined for six points during Tampa Bay’s opening two victories against the Chicago Blackhawks. However, on January 18, Coleman entered NHL COVID-19 protocol and was replaced on the third line by Mathieu Joseph. Although anticipated to return by January 21, he was held out as a healthy scratch after missing a team meeting.
The Gourde-Goodrow-Coleman line remained intact until March when Gourde shifted to the second line, with Tyler Johnson stepping in at center on the third line. This new formation quickly ended scoring slumps for both Coleman and Johnson. By April 5, Coleman had accumulated seven goals and ten assists across 33 games. To provide opportunities for rookies Alex Barré-Boulet and Ross Colton, Johnson and Joseph moved to the fourth line while Gourde returned to lead the third.
This trio anchored Tampa Bay’s third line with a team-leading 404 minutes together and contributed to reducing opponents’ expected goals against by 25% below league average. In five-on-five scenarios, Coleman ranked just behind Brayden Point in generating scoring chances and was third in high-danger opportunities alongside Point and Gourde.
Calgary Flames
On July 28, 2021, Coleman agreed to a six-year deal worth $29.4 million with the Calgary Flames as a free agent acquisition. Throughout the preseason, he often played on the left wing alongside centre Elias Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk. In his second preseason appearance, Coleman was assessed a minor boarding penalty and subsequently suspended for two games, which included missing the Flames' season opener. He completed the preseason with two assists while occupying a top-six forward position.
After returning to regular season play, Coleman was placed on a line with Mikael Backlund and Tyler Pitlick, though in November, Andrew Mangiapane took over Pitlick’s spot. Following a stretch of 16 games without scoring a goal, Coleman transitioned to the third line alongside Sean Monahan and Trevor Lewis, where the trio combined for five points in their first contest together on December 3. His offensive output increased, prompting a reunion with Backlund and Pitlick in January, during which Coleman achieved career-best numbers in shots on goal. By mid-January, he was tied for fifth in the NHL for five-on-five shot attempts, sharing this rank with Alex Ovechkin.
On December 31, 2023, during a game versus the Flyers, Coleman became only the fourth player born in Texas to reach 500 NHL games played while contributing two assists in his sixth multi-point game of that season. Subsequently, he earned recognition as the NHL's Second Star of the Week on January 14, 2024, after accumulating four goals and three assists totaling seven points.
Personal life
In 2018, Coleman founded the Pickles Pals initiative, a community outreach program supporting the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club located in Newark Ironbound. The program emphasizes creating academic support systems and supplying resources aimed at fostering children's achievements. The name "Pickles Pals" originates from a moniker Coleman received after being spotted drinking pickle juice while serving time in the penalty box.
Coleman married Jordan Daigle in 2019. She is a former cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys and has worked as a sideline reporter for college football broadcasts on CBS. The couple has two daughters.
Regular season and playoffs
2019–20 NHL season | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 57 | 21 | 10 | 31 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–07 | Belle Tire 16U AAA | T1EHL | 29 | 12 | 16 | 28 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008–09 | Dallas Stars 18U AAA | T1EHL | 46 | 21 | 24 | 45 | 120 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–10 | Tri-City Storm | USHL | 22 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–10 | Indiana Ice | USHL | 36 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 24 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–11 | Indiana Ice | USHL | 59 | 34 | 58 | 92 | 72 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–12 | Miami RedHawks | CCHA | 39 | 12 | 11 | 23 | 56 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012–13 | Miami RedHawks | CCHA | 40 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 56 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–14 | Miami RedHawks | NCHC | 27 | 19 | 9 | 28 | 65 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–15 | Miami RedHawks | NCHC | 37 | 20 | 17 | 37 | 99 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015–16 AHL season | Albany Devils | AHL | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 19 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016–17 AHL season | Albany Devils | AHL | 52 | 19 | 20 | 39 | 56 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016–17 NHL season | New Jersey Devils | National Hockey League | 23 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017–18 NHL season
New Jersey Devils NHL 79 13 12 25 50 5 2 0 2 4 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" 2018–19 New Jersey Devils NHL 78 22 14 36 71 — — — — — |- |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2019–20 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 25 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 31 |- |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |
2020–21 NHL season | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 55 | 14 | 17 | 31 | 37 | 23 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 22 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |
2021–22 NHL season | Calgary Flames | NHL | 81 | 16 | 17 | 33 | 60 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 12 |- |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |
2022–23 NHL season | Calgary Flames| NHL| 82| 18| 20| 38| 54| —| —| —| —| — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |
2023–24 NHL season| Calgary Flames| NHL| 78| 30| 24| 54| 76| —| —| —| —| — |- |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |
2024–25 NHL season| Calgary Flames| NHL| 82| 15| 24| 39| 36| —| —| —| —| — |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" |
NHL totals !624 !150 !140 !290 !467 !65 !12 !19 !31 !69|}
International
Awards and honors
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- Living people
- Albany Devils players
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- Ice hockey people from Texas
- Indiana Ice players
- Miami RedHawks men's ice hockey players
- New Jersey Devils draft picks
- New Jersey Devils players
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- Stanley Cup champions
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