Name: Cooper Soller
Drafted: Fifth Round, 154th overall
Bio: 17-years-old, right shot, Los Angeles, CA, 5’10”, 172 lbs.
Position: Forward
2025-26 Team: Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
Jon Cooper won the Clark Cup in the USHL.
Cooper Soller won the Clark Cup.
It’s a match made in draft heaven.
Honestly, there is a much better than zero chance that Jon Cooper is no longer the Tampa Bay Lightning head coach if and when the Bolts’ second fifth-round pick of the draft makes it to the NHL. Soller is just 17-years-old and has at least one more season in the USHL. The L.A. native is committed to Western Michigan, but not until the 2028-29 season.
What we’re saying is that it might be awhile until Soller contributes to the organization.
Soller had a really good rookie season in the USHL as he potted 26 goals and added 23 assists in 62 games, stats good enough to earn Rookie of the Year honors. He added another 4 points in the playoffs as the Stampede picked up their fourth Clark Cup.
Despite his lack of size, he doesn’t mind playing in front of the net and will take a hit or two to make a play. Like the other forwards drafted by the Lightning in this draft, he has really good vision on the ice and has the playmaking skills to make his linemates better. A decent skater, there is still room for improvement in that department, and he’ll need to work on that as his career progresses.
Soller will see plenty of power play time at the USHL and college level. His wrist shot plays well and his ability to pass the puck keeps defenses honest. As young as he is, it’s hard to project exactly how his career is going to play out. The likelihood of his NHL chances probably won’t be fully known until he hits the collegiate level.
