OHL Saginaw Spirit

New York Islanders Sign Cole Coskey, Blade Jenkins to Contracts

Published on May 28, 2020 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


East Meadow, NY. - The New York Islanders of the National Hockey League announced today the signing of Saginaw Spirit forwards Cole Coskey and Blade Jenkins to contracts.

Coskey, 20, spent five seasons with the Spirit and completed his OHL career the all-time leader in games played in Spirit franchise history (302), third all-time in points (235), third all-time in goals (106), and fourth all-time in assists (129).

Jenkins, 19, completed his third season in Spirit red, white, and blue in 2019-20 with 16 goals, 24 assists, for 40 points in an injury-shortened, 47 games played.

"When we heard the news of the New York Islanders signing Blade and Cole, the Saginaw Spirit organization could not have been happier," said General Manager Dave Drinkill. "For myself personally, Blade was my first draft pick in Saginaw and it is very gratifying meeting a player and his family at a very young age and then seeing him achieve his goals of being drafted and now signed to an NHL contract. We look forward to following him in his next step of his hockey career." "Cole Coskey grew up before our eyes here in Saginaw. Through the years, he became a leader on and off of the ice while becoming an elite player for us on the ice. Cole's ability will forever cement him as one of the best players to ever wear a Spirit uniform. Congratulations to Cole and his family on this marvelous achievement."

The American-born duo of Coskey and Jenkins each had prior NCAA commitments before signing with the Saginaw Spirit. Coskey signed with the Spirit in the summer of 2015 after being selected in the third round (47th overall) in the 2015 Priority Selection. The Chicago-area native is coming off of his most successful OHL season, scoring 80 points and recording a 30+ goal-season for the second consecutive year.

The Jackson, Michigan native, Jenkins was selected by the Spirit in the first round (fourth overall) back in 2016 and committed to the franchise in the summer of 2017. Jenkins put up 44 points in his rookie OHL season, which was fourth best on the 2017-18 roster and landed him on the OHL First All-Rookie Team and ranking him the 26th best North American Skater heading into the 2018 NHL Draft by NHL Central Scouting.

"We are so thrilled for Blade and his family," said Spirit Head Coach Chris Lazary. "Blade put his trust in the Saginaw Spirit when he left the U.S. National Team Development Program to further develop his career and provide him with every opportunity to be a professional. To watch Blade accomplish his personal goals of being drafted in to the National Hockey League and sign a contract is a special moment for the organization. Blade is continued evidence that if you fully invest yourself into the Saginaw Spirit program and allow yourself to be coached and developed, your goals can be achieved. Blade will be a Spirit for life." "Cole, to me, is Mr. Saginaw. He is a five-year player that invested himself in the process. Cole matured during his time in Saginaw and became a leader, wearing a letter for us. Cole has played a significant role in changing the culture of our program. I look forward to watching him progress throughout his professional career and I cannot thank him enough for the impact he has left on our program. "

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