You’ve seen the "Greedy" music video. You know the one where Tate McRae is whipping a Zamboni around an empty rink like it’s a Ferrari? If you’re a hockey fan, you probably noticed she actually looks like she knows her way around a sheet of ice. That’s because, in the world of Tate McRae, hockey isn't just a prop—it’s basically her entire personality.
But for a long time, the internet wasn't just talking about her Calgary roots or her brother Tucker playing for Dartmouth. They were obsessed with the Tate McRae hockey ex factor.
We’re talking about Cole Sillinger.
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The relationship between the pop star and the Columbus Blue Jackets forward was the "it" couple of the NHL and music crossover world. Then, it ended. And boy, did the internet have some theories. If you’re trying to figure out why everyone still brings up the "fumble of the century," here is the actual, non-AI-generated breakdown of what went down.
Who is the Tate McRae Hockey Ex?
The name you’re looking for is Cole Sillinger.
Cole is a center for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He’s young, talented, and was a first-round draft pick. Their romance started back in 2021. It’s actually a pretty cute story: Cole admitted in an interview that Tate was his celebrity crush. Honestly, who can blame him?
Because Tate’s brother, Tucker McRae, is also a high-level hockey player, they had mutual friends. They started dating shortly after his public confession. For about two years, they were the golden couple. She was spotted at Nationwide Arena in Columbus; he was supporting her meteoric rise to the top of the charts.
Then, around early 2023, things went quiet.
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The Breakup and the Infamous "Cheating" Rumors
The internet is a wild place. When Tate and Cole stopped posting each other, fans went into detective mode. The drama peaked during the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend. Tate was there as a celebrity captain and performer. Cole... was not.
A meme went viral on Instagram claiming Cole "fumbled" the relationship by cheating on her. The post basically said he blew it with a superstar and now she was at the All-Star game while he was watching from home.
Here is what actually happened:
- Cole Sillinger actually responded. In a rare move for a pro athlete, he commented on the viral post saying, "All false my guy."
- Tate’s Side: In her Think Later era, she released the song "Exes." People immediately assumed it was a diss track aimed at Cole.
- The Reality: Tate actually told People and other outlets that the song isn't about bashing her exes. She said it’s more about her own "self-sabotage" and how she behaves in relationships.
There were rumors about a "verified Tinder account" being found by one of Tate's friends, but that has never been 100% confirmed by anyone with a name and a face. Most of that lives in the realm of Reddit threads and TikTok comments.
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Why the Hockey Connection Still Matters in 2026
Even though they broke up years ago, the Tate McRae hockey ex narrative keeps resurfacing because Tate refuses to leave the sport behind. She’s leaning into it harder than ever.
Her fashion is literally built on "hockey core." She wears oversized jerseys, she’s used hockey gloves as stage gear, and her album art for Think Later featured her in goalie pads (which, let’s be real, hockey Twitter roasted her for because she was wearing them slightly wrong).
She’s basically the unofficial ambassador for the NHL at this point.
Is She Still Dating a Hockey Player?
This is where things get interesting for the current year. After a very public relationship with The Kid LAROI—which reportedly ended in mid-2025—Tate has been spotted back in the hockey world.
As of late 2025 and heading into 2024, the rumors are swirling around Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils.
They’ve been seen grabbing dinner at Anton’s in Manhattan’s West Village. They were photographed walking around NYC together in December 2025, looking very "more than friends." While neither has posted a "soft launch" on Instagram yet, the hockey-pop crossover is officially back in full swing.
The Fact Sheet: Tate McRae & Her Hockey Ties
- The Ex: Cole Sillinger (Columbus Blue Jackets).
- The Timeline: Dated from 2021 to early 2023.
- The Brother: Tucker McRae, a defenseman at Dartmouth.
- The Rumor: Cheating allegations (denied by Sillinger).
- The Current Buzz: Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils).
What You Should Do Next
If you're following the Tate McRae lore, don't just look at the lyrics. Watch her "Greedy" and "Exes" performances from the 2024 All-Star game. You can see how she blends her dance background with the athleticism of the rink.
Also, keep an eye on the New Jersey Devils' social media or New York paparazzi shots. If she shows up at the Prudential Center wearing a #86 jersey, you’ll know the "hockey ex" chapter has officially turned into a "hockey current" chapter.
Keep your eyes on her upcoming 2026 tour dates too. She usually drops local hockey references or wears the home team's jersey when she hits NHL cities—it's her signature move.