If you’ve spent more than five minutes on TikTok lately, you know the vibe. Tate McRae is basically the reigning queen of high-energy pop choreo and relatable "sad girl" anthems. But for a specific corner of the internet—mostly the people who overlap between Stanley Cup playoffs and Billboard charts—her love life is a whole different sport. Specifically, a hockey one.
We need to talk about the tate mcrae ex boyfriend hockey connection because honestly, it’s a lot more than just a random dating rumor. It’s a whole lore. It involves NHL arenas, some very pointed song lyrics, and a healthy dose of "he did what?"
The Guy Everyone is Googling: Cole Sillinger
So, let's get the facts straight. The primary subject of the tate mcrae ex boyfriend hockey searches is Cole Sillinger.
Sillinger is a center for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He’s young, he was a first-round draft pick (12th overall in 2021), and for about a year and a half, he was the guy on Tate’s arm. They started dating somewhere around late 2021.
The origin story is actually kinda cute, if you ignore how it ended. Apparently, Cole had publicly mentioned that Tate was his celebrity crush. You've gotta respect the hustle. It worked. They were set up through mutual friends, and soon enough, Tate was spotted at Blue Jackets games, rocking the jersey and looking like the ultimate supportive WAG.
But then, things went south.
The Breakup That Fueled the Music
By early 2023, the "Mommy and Daddy are fighting" energy was palpable. The couple stopped appearing on each other's socials. The breakup wasn't just a quiet "we moved apart" situation; it became a full-blown internet trial.
✨ Don't miss: Mia Khalifa New Sex Research: Why Everyone Is Still Obsessed With Her 2014 Career
Did he actually cheat?
This is where it gets messy. Rumors exploded that Cole was caught on a dating app. Specifically, a story circulated that one of Tate’s friends found his verified Tinder profile and sent her a screenshot.
Tate herself didn't name names in a "I am officially accusing Cole Sillinger" press release, but she did tell a story during a performance about a friend sending her a screenshot of a guy’s verified profile. The internet, being the internet, did the math.
Cole's response? He eventually broke his silence on Instagram. A meme account posted a joke about him "fumbling" Tate and cheating, and he commented: "All false my guy."
So, it's a "he said, she sang" situation.
Why the NHL All-Star Game was a Total Power Move
The absolute peak of this tate mcrae ex boyfriend hockey saga happened in early 2024. Talk about poetic justice.
Tate McRae was invited to be a celebrity captain and performer at the NHL All-Star Game in Toronto. Think about that for a second. She was the face of the league’s biggest weekend, despite not being a player.
🔗 Read more: Is Randy Parton Still Alive? What Really Happened to Dolly’s Brother
Meanwhile, Cole Sillinger? He wasn't on the roster.
The memes were ruthless. People were pointing out that Tate made the All-Star game before her NHL boyfriend did. She performed her hit "Greedy" in the middle of an ice rink, essentially reclaiming the entire sport for herself.
The "Think Later" Era and Hockey Imagery
You can't talk about her hockey ex without looking at the art. Her album Think Later is dripping with hockey aesthetics.
- The "Greedy" Music Video: She’s literally dancing in a hockey arena. She even learned how to drive a Zamboni for the shoot.
- The Fashion: On tour, she started wearing a single hockey glove as a fashion statement.
- The Lyrics: Fans have spent hours dissecting tracks like "Exes" and "Revolving Door." While she’s dated others (like Jonny Hader or more recently The Kid LAROI), the Sillinger era clearly left a mark on her songwriting.
She told Uproxx that hockey has always been part of her life because she’s from Calgary and her brother, Tucker McRae, is a serious player (he plays for Dartmouth). So, the hockey vibes aren't just about an ex, but the breakup definitely added some spice to the marketing.
Who is She Dating Now?
The story doesn't end with Cole. After a high-profile relationship with Australian artist The Kid LAROI—which reportedly ended around June 2025—Tate seems to have returned to her roots.
As of early 2026, the rumors are swirling around another NHL star: Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils. They’ve been spotted on flirty dinner dates in NYC, and Tate has been seen at Devils games. If this is true, she’s officially staying in the league.
💡 You might also like: Patricia Neal and Gary Cooper: The Affair That Nearly Broke Hollywood
What You Can Learn from the Tate Lore
If you’re following this because you love the drama, there’s actually a pretty solid takeaway here. Tate took a personal "L" (the breakup) and turned it into a massive "W" (the Think Later era).
Actionable Insights:
- Reclaim the narrative: If someone associates you with a certain "thing" (like a sport or a hobby) because of an ex, don't run from it. Make it your own.
- Success is the best revenge: Making the All-Star Game while your ex sits at home is the ultimate flex.
- Support the home team: If you're looking for Tate's current "hockey connection," keep an eye on the New Jersey Devils' schedule.
Whether or not Cole actually cheated, the tate mcrae ex boyfriend hockey drama solidified her as a pop star who knows exactly how to use her real life to create a cultural moment. She didn't just date a hockey player; she became the MVP of the entire NHL marketing department.
Check out her latest singles "Tit for Tat" or "It's OK I'm OK" for more clues on where her head's at—she's definitely not crying over spilled Gatorade anymore.
Key Takeaway: Tate McRae’s relationship with Cole Sillinger was the catalyst for some of her biggest hits and her iconic hockey-inspired branding. While the relationship ended under a cloud of cheating rumors (which he denies), Tate has moved on to bigger stages and, potentially, new NHL stars like Jack Hughes.