Charlie Coyle

Charles Robert Coyle (born March 2, 1992) is an American ice hockey forward currently playing for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League. Coyle played part of a single season with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in 2012. He played for the Boston University Terriers hockey program as a prospect for the Minnesota Wild. He was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the first round (28th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Amateur
Coyle played for Weymouth Higth School, a public school, during his freshman year and helped the Wildcat varsity hockey team to their first ever MIAA finals appearance at the TD Garden vs. private school Boston College High School. The Wildcats beat notable private schools during the playoffs during their stunning run, knocking off schools like Malden Catholic, Austin Prep, and Central Catholic. He played for Thayer Academy in Braintree before finishing his senior season back with the Wildcats.

Coyle played Tier III Junior A ice hockey in the Eastern Junior Hockey League with the South Shore Kings, based in Foxboro, Massachusetts. In the first and only season with South Shore, he finished fifth overall in scoring with 63 points in 42 games.

Coyle committed to play NCAA Division I college ice hockey with the Boston University Terriers of the Hockey East for the 2010–11 season. In his first game for the Terriers (an exhibition game against the University of Toronto), he scored two assists. He went on to record 26 points in 37 regular season games for the Terriers.

On December 16, 2011, Coyle made the decision to leave Boston University and sign with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL.

Professional
He was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. On June 25, 2011, he was traded to the Minnesota Wild for Brent Burns and second round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, along with Devin Setoguchi, and a first round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

On March 1, 2012, Coyle signed a three-year entry level contract with the Minnesota Wild, with the team keeping him on the Saint John Sea Dogs until the end of the season.

Coyle made his NHL debut on February 4, 2013. Wearing number 63, Charlie skated 12:44, with two shots and a hit. Coyle scored his first NHL goal (and point) against Joey MacDonald of the Calgary Flames on February 23, 2013. Coyle scored a memorable goal against the Los Angeles Kings on March 30, 2013, while shooting a one-timer, Coyle got taken down to his knees, he got his own rebound and buried a backhand shot for his eighth goal of the season. Coyle also got into his first NHL fight against the Columbus Blue Jackets, taking on Brandon Dubinsky. He was given a match penalty for a hit on Artem Anisimov, which sparked the fight. After further review from the league, he was not given any additional discipline.

Coyle switched his jersey number from 63 to 3, the same number he had in college and in juniors.

Charlie made headlines after making a fan named Henry's dreams come true after waving to the boy during warm-ups. The gesture and Henry's reaction to the gesture were put on YouTube and it went viral. Charlie met Henry and his family a few weeks later, a day before a game between the Wild and the St. Louis Blues.

In the 2015-16 season, Coyle was second on the team in goals scored, behind veteran Zach Parise. He set personal bests in goals, assists, and points, breaking the 20-goal plateau for the first time in his career.

Personal
Coyle is the cousin of two former NHL players, Tony Amonte and Bobby Sheehan. Coyle is close friends with Wild left winger Jason Zucker.