By: Mark Allred | Follow me on Twitter / X @BlackAndGold277
Boston Bruins prospect Cole Chandler is making the most of his first—and only—season in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Cape Breton Eagles. Selected by the Bruins in the fifth round of the 2025 NHL Draft, Chandler is taking this important step in his Canadian junior hockey development before heading to Northeastern University to join the Huskies for the 2027-28 NCAA season.
A native of Bedford, Nova Scotia, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound left-shot forward is known for his versatility and can play both center and left wing. Chandler was traded to Cape Breton from the Shawinigan Cataractes during the offseason, a move that brought him closer to home. With Shawinigan, he tallied 36 goals and 58 assists for 94 points in 151 games, showcasing his playmaking skills and commitment on both ends of the ice. Now, playing at Centre 200 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, family and friends can make the four-hour drive to see him in action before he departs for the bright lights of the NCAA and the powerful Hockey East Conference for the 2027-28 season.
The 19-year-old Chandler wasted no time making an impression on his new team. He opened the 2026-27 QMJHL campaign with a strong start, posting a goal and five assists for six points in his first four games. Like many young players, he faced a brief scoring drought in the next four outings, but quickly rebounded, collecting four goals and three assists for seven points over his most recent four games.
Scouting reports praise Chandler for his relentless puck pursuit and direct attacking style. He’s a dynamic playmaker who competes hard, using his physicality and high hockey IQ to create opportunities for his teammates. Despite his aggressive approach, Chandler has remained disciplined, accumulating only eight penalty minutes through 12 games this season—most of which came early on. Over the last six games, he’s been whistled for just two penalty minutes, a sign of his growing maturity and responsibility on the ice.
Chandler said this after the Bruins selected him in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, according to an article on the official Boston Bruins website. “I’m a big player, big forward that can make plays and shoot the puck, but a guy that’s gonna bring a lot to the room and the atmosphere there. I love making friends with all the guys on the team. I’m a big team guy…overall, a big power forward that can make plays and find the net as well.”
Boston Bruins Director of Amateur Scouting Ryan Nadeau highlighted Chandler’s style following the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, saying, “He plays a little bit more of a traditional two-way game. The offensive part has been there. He didn’t have huge numbers this year; it’s not like he was scoring 50 goals. But he’s a kid who is counted on in some key times and has been able to impact 200 feet of the rink. A player that we really like that part of his game.”
Dominic Tiano of the Dom.Hockey website said about Cole shortly after the Bruins selected him in the fifth round in 2025, in a Northeastern Hockey Blog article. “Chandler often plays a shutdown role against other teams’ top lines, showcasing his backchecking ability, positioning, and excellent hockey IQ when reading plays. Perhaps the most telling line from Dom’s evaluation: “He’s known for his work ethic, leadership qualities, and coachability. Teammates describe him as focused and driven, someone who leads by example and elevates the play of those around him.”
Chandler and his Cape Breton Eagles are about to embark on a challenging three-game, three-day road trip. The action begins Friday night in Halifax against the Mooseheads, continues Saturday evening in Charlottetown versus the Islanders, and wraps up Sunday afternoon in Moncton against the Wildcats. Heading into the weekend, the Eagles sit fifth in the QMJHL Eastern Conference with a 7-3-1-3 record and 18 points. They’re riding a six-game point streak (5-0-1-0) and boast a 6-2-1-1 mark over their last ten contests.
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