As expected, Montreal Canadiens prospect Cole Caufield has been named the 2021 Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner. The 20-year-old forward beat out Shane Pinto and Dryden McKay, the other two Hat Trick Finalists that were announced earlier this month.
Though the other finalists had outstanding seasons, this was always going to be Caufield’s year after leading the nation in goals and points. The diminutive forward recorded 30 goals and 52 points as a sophomore for the University of Wisconsin, while also helping lead the U.S. World Junior team to gold. It was an incredible performance for the 15th overall selection from 2019, one which has now put him in a small fraternity of Hobey Baker winners.
Caufield quickly signed his entry-level contract with the Canadiens after Wisconsin was eliminated from the NCAA tournament–in a game where he recorded 13 shots, scoring two goals and registering an assist in a losing effort—and is expected to make his professional debut for the Laval Rocket tonight.
It’s difficult to have a better two post-draft years than Caufield has, and Canadiens fans are anxiously awaiting his time in Montreal. Though he stands just 5’7″ he is the first player in Big Ten hockey history to win consecutive scoring titles and is an offensive machine from anywhere in the attacking zone. He has broken records at the U.S. National Team Development Program, tied some of Alex Ovechkin’s U18 international records, and now added the Hobey Baker to his growing resume.
If you want to bet against Caufield because of his size, you’re probably going to lose your money.
He is going to make a big impact on the Canadiens maybe as soon as the playoffs this year.
2G 1A in Caufield’s first AHL game. Enough of that beer league!
I am Exocets to see Caufield up in Montreal…I think he will have a great career and short term help fill the void of Gallagher’s injury. 2 goals 1 assist great debut. However, don’t forget Poehling scored 3 and shoot out winner in his NHLdebut….fast forward almost two years and he has scored 1 goal since then….that being said I look forward to both being up on the big club