Cole joined the University of Notre DameFighting Irish in 2007 after playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program from 2005 to 2007. Cole played at Notre Dame from the 2007–08 season through the 2009–10 season, Cole finished his collegiate career with 69 points in 111 games at UND. During Cole's stint at Notre Dame the program qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2007, 2008, and 2009, including the school's first Frozen Four appearance in 2008.
Professional
St. Louis Blues
Cole was drafted 18th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. At the conclusion of the 2009–10 season, Cole turned pro and signed with the St. Louis Blues and was assigned to the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League, the Blues' top minor league affiliate. Cole made his NHL debut on November 6, 2010 after being recalled from Peoria on November 4. He scored his first NHL goal on March 9, 2011 against Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender, Mathieu Garon.
On March 2, 2015, the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Ian Cole from the Blues in exchange for Robert Bortuzzo and a 2016 7th-round draft pick. On June 29, 2015, Cole signed a three-year contract worth $6.3 million to remain in Pittsburgh. In the 2015–16 season, Cole registered 12 assists in 70 games. In the post-season on June 6, 2016, Cole scored his first career playoff goal against Martin Jones of the San Jose Sharks in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals. In the 2016–17 season, Cole reached a career high of 26 points with the Penguins, including five goals and 21 assists in 81 regular season games. He appeared in a post-season high 25 games, registering 9 assists in helping Pittsburgh defend the Stanley Cup. Entering the final season of his contract with the Penguins in 2017–18, on October 7, 2017, Cole blocked a shot from Nashville Predators defenceman Roman Josi and missed the next three games to recover. Cole appeared in 47 games with the Penguins, posting 13 points, before on February 23, 2018, Cole was traded to the Ottawa Senators along with a 2018 first-round pick, a 2019 third-round draft pick, and Filip Gustavsson in exchange for a 2018 third-round draft pick, prospect Vincent Dunn, and Derick Brassard.
On February 26, 2018, before appearing with the Senators, Cole was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Nick Moutrey and a 2020 third-round pick. Cole's addition to Columbus' blueline, led to a charge up the standings and secured a playoff berth. In 20 regular season games, he contributed with 2 goals and 7 points before registering 3 assists in 6 post-season games in a first-round defeat to eventual champions, the Washington Capitals.
Colorado Avalanche
As a free agent in the off-season, Cole signed a three-year, $12.75 million contract with the Colorado Avalanche on July 1, 2018. On February 8, during a 2018–19 regular season game against the Washington Capitals, Cole laid a late hit onEvgeny Kuznetsov resulting in a fight with Tom Wilson. It was determined that Tom Wilson had fractured Cole's orbital bone and he was subsequently placed on Colorado's injured reserve.
International play
Cole's first international experience came at the 2007 World Junior Championships in Sweden. Cole added four goals and an assist in all seven games at the 2007 WJC, helping Team USA to a bronze medal finish. The 2007 WJC marked the most points Cole would score at the event, in 2008 he was held pointless and in his final appearance in the tournament in 2009 he finished with two goals and two assists.
