WINNIPEG, Sept. 1, 2026 – The Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club announced today they have signed Cole Kehler as their Emergency Backup Goalie (EBUG).
Kehler, a product of Altona, Man., last played for the Altona Maroons in the SEMHL from 2023-2025. The 28-year-old attended Winnipeg’s 2017 Development Camp and participated in the 2017-18 and 2020-21 Jets Training Camps. Kehler signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Kings in 2017 and featured in the ECHL and AHL before joining the Manitoba Moose in 2021. Kehler went 2-1-0 with a 2.52 goals-against average and a .861 save percentage and signed a contract with the Jets in 2021. He played 60 games for five ECHL clubs and totaled a 27-21-6 record with two shutouts, a 3.47 GAA and a .891 SV%.
Kehler played his junior hockey for the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers and Portland Winterhawks where he featured in 141 games and went 66-51-10 with six shutouts, a 3.31 GAA and a .899 SV%. He played 23 WHL playoff games and had a 10-13 record with a 3.75 GAA and a .897 SV%.
Under the updated NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement, each team must designate an EBUG who travels with the club for all home and away games this season. To be eligible, the EBUG cannot have NHL experience or have played more than 80 professional games.
Cole Kehler
Goaltender -- Catches R
Born Dec. 17, 1997 -- Altona, MAN
Height 6.04 -- Weight 205
