In sports, the phrase “come out swinging” is often used to motivate a player or team to start fast, to be aggressive, or to send a message. Starting on the right foot, after all, could change the complexion of a game or season.
For Cole Tymkin, one of the Wheeling Nailers’ newest players, he took that phrase quite literally.
Cole Tymkin began his major junior hockey career by being drafted in the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Priority Selection Draft. He was chosen in the fifth round as the 91st overall pick by the London Knights. Tymkin played in a lower junior league for one season before joining the Knights for the 2016-2017 season.
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Slap Shots
Name: Cole Tymkin Position: Forward Career games: 16
Career Points: 4 Favorite Career Fight Majors: 5
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In his first season of major junior hockey, Tymkin participated in 45 games, accumulating eight points and 71 penalty minutes. London finished third in the Midwest division and qualified for the playoffs. The Knights faced the Windsor Spitfires in the first round. The series went to the limit, with London winning in game seven. A second-round matchup with the Erie Otters awaited them. This series also went to game seven, where the Otters won and advanced. Erie went on to win the OHL that season.
Tymkin played in three postseason games with the Knights, finishing with seven penalty minutes.
In the next season, Tymkin played in 13 more games than the previous season. This time, Tymkin’s stats only improved. He finished with eight goals and 18 assists, along with a career-high 98 penalty minutes. With his 26 points, he ended up tied for eighth on the Knights in points. After a tough start to the season, London again finished third in the Midwest Division and secured a playoff spot.
The Owen Sound Attack were the opponents in the first round, and they eliminated the Knights in four games, including two in overtime. Tymkin recorded three assists and a plus-two rating during those four games.
The 2018-2019 season saw Tymkin named one of the Alternate Captains for the Knights, marking his career best. Playing in 63 games, he finished the regular season with 22 goals, 25 assists, 95 penalty minutes, and a plus-13 rating, ranking sixth in points on the Knights with a total of 47.
London won the Midwest Division and again faced the Windsor Spitfires in the first round. London dispatched Windsor in four games this time, advancing to the second round, where they met the Guelph Storm. London started the series strong, winning the first three games. Unfortunately for the Knights, the Storm accomplished the rare feat of a reverse sweep, eliminating London in seven games.
Tymkin participated in all the postseason matches, tallying two goals, four assists, and a plus-six rating.
The next season was intriguing for Tymkin. He began with the Knights, participating in 33 games and scoring 12 points. In the second half of the season, he played for the Caledonia Corvairs in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Over 10 games, he scored 20 points, including six goals.
However, the playoffs were not held in the GOJHL due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This marked Tymkin’s final season playing junior hockey.
The following year, Tymkin chose to attend school instead of becoming a pro. He would enroll at Brock University in St. Catharines, ON. Unfortunately, his first season was still canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021-2022 season marked Tymkin’s return to the ice, beginning his four-year tenure as a Badger.
During that time, Tymkin played 85 games and recorded 50 points, including 17 goals. After his U Sports season, Tymkin would turn pro.
In late February of this year, Cole Tymkin signed with the Wheeling Nailers.
“I heard some great stuff about the organization, and my agent informed me about a lot of good stuff that was going on here and how they are in a great playoff spot, and it sounded like a team that was a fit for me,” said Tymkin about coming to play for the Nailers.
Tymkin has made a significant impact, too, while wearing a Wheeling uniform. He has recorded three goals and an assist in just 16 games of his professional career. Tymkin also boasts five fighting majors and the only “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” (one goal, one assist, and one fight in the same game) on the Nailers this season.
“It was a little weird because we didn’t know who got it (the goal), whether it was Lieffers or me, but it ended up being mine. Just to get it out of the way because that’s always one that you’re kind of excited about, and then you just look on from there,” Tymkin mentioned about scoring his first pro goal.
The Wheeling Nailers return to home ice against Cincy this evening at 7:10 p.m., for “Black and Gold” night, featuring a special guest appearance by former Pittsburgh Steeler Ryan Shazier. Attendees will also receive a “Rally Towel” giveaway.
To cap off the weekend, join us on Sunday at 4:10 p.m. for a game against the Bloomington Bison, followed by a full-team postgame skate. Fans can bring their skates and take to the ice after the game, as this is the final matchup of the season. For more information about the games or to purchase tickets, call 304-234-GOAL or visit www.wheelingnailers.com.
The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Upper Ohio Valley.
