DAUPHIN, MB - The Dauphin Kings are sending yet another player on to the next level, this time it's goaltender Cole Sheffield taking his career to the college ranks.
Sheffield has committed to the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs (NCAA DIV I).
Sheffield, who has been with the Dauphin Kings since the 2022-23 season, has consistently improved his game and been a key piece to the club's success over the past handful of seasons.
In his time with the Kings his career numbers during the regular season have him with a record of 73-36 with a .921 save percentage and a 2.35 goals against average. His playoff story for 2025 is still being written.
730 CKDM's Sports Director Darnell Duff spoke with Sheffield recently about a few things including his commitment to play NCAA Division I Hockey. Hear the full interview and story below.
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Cole Sheffield had a superb .926 save percentage and an excellent 1.99 goals-against average in round one of the Turnbull Cup playoffs against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.
His team in front of him stuck with the process and scored 16 goals. The Kings won the series in five games and moved to the second round for the first time since 2022.
"Yeah, it was a really good round for us. Wayway came to play; we knew it wasn't going to be an easy series," said Sheffield. "We had a good week of practicing leading up to round one. We found our feet and got the job done at the end of the day."
Finishing fourth in the MGEU West Division, the Wolverines gave it their all. Game three was a close contest, decided by just one goal. The Wolverines bounced back to win game four, and game five was another tight matchup, with the result determined by a single goal. Dauphin had to battle through some adversity and Sheffield believes that'll be beneficial for the team moving forward.
"I think that's huge. Just having the mindset of not getting too comfortable in games, anything can happen; it's the playoffs," continued Sheffield. "Every game was close, so we had the mindset of being dialled in for an entire 60 minutes, and that's what we did."
As Dauphin prepares to open round two on Friday in Portage, Sheffield has finalized his future plans. Cole is the second King this season to commit to an NCAA Division 1 program. The 20-year-old star from London has committed to joining the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs for the 2025-26 season.
The Bulldogs play in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) and have won three national championships, their most recent in 2019. That capped off a run of two-straight national titles.
"It feels great. I've been super patient with it, and it's come at a great time," said Sheffield. "I can't thank my family, coaches, and my teammates enough. Having them in front of me making my life easier is perfect. It feels really good."
Cole broke onto the scene as a junior hockey goalie when he was 16 with the French River Rapids of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL). He became a King in the 2022-23 season and has won 73 regular-season games with Dauphin and eight so far in the playoffs.
Earning an NCAA Division 1 scholarship has been his ultimate dream, a goal he’s tirelessly worked toward for years. But these opportunities aren’t handed out easily—they're earned through dedication, passion, and perseverance. Sheffield has poured his heart and soul into not only becoming an elite goaltender but also shaping himself into a person of integrity and character. Every sacrifice, every early morning, and every late night has been for this moment.
"Ever since I stepped into Junior A, this has been my goal," continued Sheffield. "It's taken patience and a ton of hard work. It feels good to finally be here."
Sheffield will lead the Kings into Portage on Friday to play the Terriers. Dauphin and Portage split their four-game season series, and a berth in the Turnbull Cup final is on the line. Both teams play with speed, have elite skill, and know how to finish games.
"They're very well coached and have four solid lines; they can all score," continued Sheffield. "They're a hard working team, we have to be ready to go to war."
Sheffield adds that the team is feeling great heading into the series.
"We're just taking it one day at a time and not getting too ahead of ourselves," said Sheffield. "It's been a fun week prepping for the series."
Cole also wants to give a big shout-out to Kings fans. Not only did they pack Credit Union Place in round one, but a dedicated group also went to Waywayseecappo to watch games two and four. Much of the same can be expected beginning Friday.
"Everyone has been super supportive during my three years here; it's always amazing skating out to a bunch of horns, and them being right into it," ended Sheffield. "Knowing our fans are there, it makes the difference."
.You can catch Darnell Duff's full chat with Cole Sheffield during the Dauphin Kings Power Play Show on Friday afternoon at 4:05.