Andrew Copp Bio
Andrew Copp is an American professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League. Born on July 8, 1994, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he was drafted 104th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and has established himself as a reliable two-way forward across his decade-long NHL career. Known for his versatility as a center who can play all forward positions, Copp has made significant contributions to every team he has joined, including notable playoff performances and milestone achievements during his time with the Jets, Rangers, and now the Red Wings.
Early Life and Background
Copp was born on July 8, 1994, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to parents Andy and Anne Marie Copp. His mother, Anne Marie, served as a figure skating coach for the University of Michigan Wolverines, while his father coached his youth hockey teams. This family involvement in athletics provided Andrew with early exposure to competitive sports from a young age.
His younger brother Tyler also played ice hockey growing up but ultimately chose to pursue golf, attending Mercer University. The Copps maintained a strong athletic household, with both parents contributing to their sons’ development in sports.
Path to Professional Hockey
As a youth player, Andrew competed in the prestigious 2007 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Detroit Compuware minor ice hockey team. Interestingly, following his father’s suggestion that he needed to increase his physicality for hockey scouts, the young forward also pursued football during his teenage years. While attending Skyline High School, he played quarterback and set numerous school records during his senior year, throwing for 1,732 yards and 27 touchdowns in the first six games of the 2011-12 season, including a state-record 557 yards and seven touchdowns against Pioneer.
Unfortunately, his football career was cut short when he suffered a broken collarbone during a game against Temperance Bedford in early October 2011. After recovering from the injury, he accepted an NCAA Division I scholarship offer to play for the Michigan Wolverines men’s ice hockey team, marking his full return to competitive hockey.
Andrew Copp Career
College Career with Michigan Wolverines (2012–2015)
Copp played three seasons with the Michigan Wolverines, including one as team captain. In his freshman season, which was the Wolverines’ final year in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, he recorded 11 goals and 10 assists in 38 games as the team struggled offensively. At the end of his freshman year, his second year of draft eligibility, he was ranked 142nd amongst North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau.
Returning for his sophomore year as an alternate captain, Copp broke out offensively with 29 points, ranking second on the team in scoring and earning All-Big Ten Honorable Mention recognition. He received the first Big Ten First Star Award of the season after recording five points over two games. Prior to his junior season, he was named to the 2014 United States men’s national junior ice hockey team preliminary roster for the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
In his final collegiate season, Copp served as the 85th captain in Michigan hockey history, becoming the first junior captain since Luke Glendening during the 2010-11 season. He recorded 14 goals and 17 assists in 36 games, earning All-Big Ten second-team honors. He chose to forgo his senior year and signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Winnipeg Jets on March 26, 2015.
Winnipeg Jets (2015–2022)
Copp made his NHL debut on April 11, 2015, playing on a line with Lee Stempniak and Matthew Halischuk against the Calgary Flames. He recorded his first career assist on Stempniak’s goal as the Jets defeated the Flames 5-1. Following this debut, he attended the Jets’ Development Camp in September 2015 and competed in their exhibition games, earning a spot on the opening night roster.
During his early seasons with Winnipeg, he established himself as a dependable checking-line forward who could contribute offensively when needed. After one season, he filed for salary arbitration and was awarded a two-year, $4.56 million contract extension. In December 2020, he missed several games after colliding with Carolina Hurricanes forward Jordan Staal during a 6-3 Jets loss.
A major milestone came on March 24, 2021, when Copp scored his first career NHL hat trick and four-goal game in a 5-1 Jets victory over the Vancouver Canucks. This performance highlighted his evolution from a defensive specialist to an offensive threat.
New York Rangers (2022)
At the trade deadline on March 21, 2022, Winnipeg traded Copp to the New York Rangers in exchange for Morgan Barron, draft picks, and conditional selections. He made an immediate impact, scoring his first Rangers goal on March 25 in a 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
During the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he delivered a standout performance on April 21 against the New York Islanders, recording his second career hat trick. He became the third player in Rangers history to score a hat trick in the first period, joining Don Raleigh (1948) and Kelly Kisio (1986), and the only Rangers player to score the first three goals of a game.
Detroit Red Wings Era (2022–Present)
On July 13, 2022, Copp signed a five-year, $28.125 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings. The signing represented a significant commitment from Detroit as they sought to add veteran experience and offensive depth to their forward group.
In his third season with the Red Wings during the 2024-25 campaign, Copp recorded ten goals and 13 assists for 23 points through 56 regular season games before suffering a torn pectoral muscle during a game against the Minnesota Wild on February 23, 2025. He underwent surgery to repair the injury on February 26, with an expected recovery timeline of four to six months, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Copp has developed a reputation as a versatile two-way forward capable of playing center or wing positions. His strong skating ability and hockey IQ allow him to contribute in all situations, from even-strength play to special teams. His defensive awareness, developed during his early career as a checking-line center, complements his increasingly reliable offensive instincts. He shoots left-handed and has proven capable of scoring in bunches, as demonstrated by his multiple career hat tricks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Copp has achieved several notable milestones including his NHL debut in April 2015, his first professional goal, and his first career hat trick with the Winnipeg Jets in March 2021. His dramatic first-period hat trick with the Rangers during the 2022 playoffs stands as one of the most memorable performances of his career, placing him among elite company in franchise history.
Andrew Copp Career Statistics
Across his NHL career spanning ten seasons with Winnipeg, New York, and Detroit, Copp has established himself as a consistent contributor who balances defensive responsibility with opportunistic scoring. His career highlights include multiple hat tricks, playoff heroics, and reliable regular-season production across three organizations.
International Achievement
Copp represented the United States at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he recorded one assist in six games and helped the American team capture the gold medal. This international experience provided valuable tournament exposure early in his development pathway.
Andrew Copp Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Andrew Copp comes from a family with strong athletic connections. His father Andy coached his youth hockey teams, while his mother Anne Marie served as a figure skating coach for the University of Michigan Wolverines. This dual involvement in winter sports created an environment that nurtured Andrew’s development from an early age. His brother Tyler also pursued hockey before transitioning to golf at the collegiate level.
Personal Life
Copp grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he attended Skyline High School before moving on to the University of Michigan. He maintains connections to his Michigan roots through his collegiate and professional affiliations. Beyond hockey, his background in football demonstrates his athletic versatility and willingness to develop physically through different sports.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 season with the Detroit Red Wings showed promise for Copp as he worked to establish himself as a key contributor on a team rebuilding toward playoff contention. Through 56 games, he had accumulated 23 points, demonstrating consistent offensive production before his season-ending injury.
The torn pectoral muscle suffered in February 2025 required surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process expected to last four to six months. While the injury cut short his third season with Detroit, his performance prior to the setback showed encouraging signs of chemistry with his linemates and improved scoring touch compared to previous campaigns.
As he works toward recovery, Copp aims to return to form for the 2025-26 season and help the Red Wings continue their development trajectory under the franchise’s long-term competitive plan. His veteran experience and two-way capabilities remain valuable assets as Detroit seeks to return to postseason play.