Lightning Select Cooper Soller with 154th Overall Pick in 2026 NHL Draft

The Tampa Bay Lightning continued to strengthen their prospect pipeline during the fifth round of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, selecting American forward Cooper Soller with the 154th overall pick.

Soller arrives in the Lightning organization after an impressive season with the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League (USHL), where he established himself as one of the league’s most reliable young forwards. The 6-foot, 176-pound winger is known for his speed, relentless work ethic, and ability to impact the game in all three zones.

Throughout the 2025-26 season, Soller showcased his offensive instincts while earning praise for his defensive responsibility and competitiveness. His combination of skating ability and hockey IQ made him an attractive option for Tampa Bay’s scouting staff late in the draft.

“Cooper plays the game the right way,” one NHL scout said prior to the draft. “He’s a player who competes every shift, has excellent pace, and continues to improve offensively. He’s the type of prospect organizations like Tampa Bay have had success developing.”

The selection continues a busy second day for Lightning General Manager Julien BriseBois, who focused on adding skill, character, and long-term upside throughout the draft. Soller joins fellow 2026 selections Oleg Kulebyakin, Tomas Kralovic, and Morgan Anderberg as part of a well-rounded draft class that adds talent at multiple positions.

Soller is expected to continue his development before eventually making the jump to professional hockey, giving the Lightning another intriguing prospect to monitor over the coming seasons.

While fifth-round selections often require patience, Tampa Bay has built a reputation for finding NHL contributors outside the early rounds. The organization believes Cooper Soller possesses the drive, skill, and determination to follow that path and one day compete for a spot in the Lightning lineup.