KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Current forward Bobby Cowan and signee Cooper Soller were selected in the 2026 NHL draft this weekend. Soller went in the fifth round to the Tampa Bay Lightning, while Cowan was taken in the seventh round by the New York Islanders. 

Soller had a standout first season in the USHL, winning the league's Rookie of the Year award. He posted 49 points on 26 goals and 23 assists during the regular season, while adding a goal and three assists en route to winning the Clark Cup. Soller will return to the Sioux Falls Stampede for the 2026-27 season. 

Cowan was the best rookie for WMU this season, tallying 24 points on five goals and 19 assists. The Edina, Minn. native scored WMU's first goal of the season and didn't slow down from there. He would go on to produce six multi-point games and a +3 rating for the Brown and Gold. 

The New York Islanders draft pick finished his freshman season ranked third in the NCHC in assists and sixth in total points. Cowan will return to Kalamazoo for his sophomore season in 2026-27. 

NOTE: Western Michigan is not permitted to comment on unsigned student-athletes.