Rypen Athlete Spotlight: Cooper Soller Drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning After a Phenomenal Championship Season

There are years that change the trajectory of an athlete’s career.

For Rypen athlete Cooper Soller, this was one of those years.

Cooper was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2026 NHL Draft, capping off a remarkable season that included being named USHL Rookie of the Year, helping lead the Sioux Falls Stampede to a Clark Cup Championship, and playing every regular-season game.

It was the type of year that reflects far more than talent alone.

It reflects consistency. Preparation. Durability. Competitive maturity. And the ability to keep showing up when expectations continue to rise.

A Season Worth Celebrating

Cooper’s year was phenomenal from start to finish. In his first full USHL season, he established himself as one of the league’s top young players. He produced, competed, earned trust, and became a meaningful piece of a championship team. Being named Rookie of the Year is a major honor, but what stands out most is the full picture of his season.

He did not just have moments.

He had a complete year.

He played every regular-season game. He helped his team win the Clark Cup. He continued to grow as the season progressed. And ultimately, his body of work led to his name being called by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL Draft.

That is what makes this moment so special.

The draft is the headline, but the journey is the story.

Prepared for the Moment

At Rypen, our goal is never just to help athletes train harder. It is to help them prepare better.

The goal is to build athletes who can handle the demands of their sport, stay available, move with purpose, recover with intention, and perform when the moment arrives.

Cooper’s season is a powerful example of that process.

Availability matters. Consistency matters. The ability to keep competing through a long season matters. The ability to contribute to winning hockey matters.

Cooper showed all of that this year.

His success was not built on one workout, one game, one accolade, or one draft moment. It was built through repeated effort over time. It was built through preparation when no one was watching. It was built through the habits that allowed him to continue showing up, continue producing, and continue growing.

More Than a Draft Pick

Being drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning is an incredible achievement. It is a milestone that deserves to be celebrated.

But Cooper’s journey is still just beginning.

What makes him special is not only what he has already accomplished, but how he has gone about accomplishing it. He has continued to mature, compete, and earn every step forward. He has shown that he can contribute to winning environments and handle the physical and mental demands that come with a long season.

That is what we are most proud of.

The draft validates the work, but it does not define the athlete.

The athlete is defined by the process.

Proud Is an Understatement

As a coach, these are the moments that mean everything. Watching an athlete commit to the work, grow through the process, earn opportunities, and then see that work recognized at the highest levels is incredibly rewarding.

Cooper’s year included Rookie of the Year honors, a Clark Cup Championship, full-season availability, and an NHL Draft selection. That is a phenomenal year by any standard.

But more than the awards, stats, and recognition, we are proud of the way he carried himself through the journey.

Congratulations, Cooper.

We are beyond proud of you, grateful to be a small part of your process, and excited to continue watching your career unfold.

This is a massive step.

And it is only the beginning.