Copp, 28, split the 2021-22 season between the New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets, setting career-highs in goals (21), assists (32), points (53) and average time on ice (19:11) while showing a plus-15 rating and 16 penalty minutes in 72 games. The 6-foot-1, 208-pound center recorded 18 points (8-10-18), a plus-13 rating and eight penalty minutes in 16 regular-season games after being acquired by the Rangers from the Jets at the trade deadline on March 21. Additionally, Copp notched 14 points (6-8-14) in 20 Stanley Cup Playoff contests as the Rangers reached the Eastern Conference Final, falling to the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.
Originally selected by the Jets in the fourth round (104th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Copp ranks among the franchise's all-time leaders with 467 games played (7th), 184 points (10th), a plus-56 rating (3rd), five shorthanded goals (T3rd) and 11 shorthanded points (T3rd) since the team relocated from Atlanta prior to the 2011-12 season. In all, Copp has logged 202 points (82-120-202), a plus-69 rating and 90 penalty minutes in 483 NHL contests since 2014-15, in addition to 26 points (9-17-26) and 16 penalty minutes in 54 postseason games. He has posted double-digit goal totals in four-straight seasons and 25-or-more points in each of his last five campaigns. Copp also dished out five assists in eight games with the American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose in 2016-17.
A native of Ann Arbor, Mich, Copp played three seasons at the University of Michigan prior to turning professional, recording 81 points (40-41-81), a plus-11 rating and 67 penalty minutes from 2012-15. Copp served as captain of the Wolverines during his junior season in 2014-15, earning a place on the Big Ten's Second All-Star Team. Copp previously skated with the U.S. National Team Development Program from 2010-12. On the international stage, Copp represented the United States at the 2017 IIHF World Championship, recording a goal, a plus-three rating and four penalty minutes in eight games. He served as an alternate captain at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship, posting five assists and a plus-three rating in five games. Copp won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2012 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, tallying one assist in six appearances.
