History of Cole Caufield in Timeline

Cole Caufield is an American professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL. He was drafted in the first round, 15th overall, by the Canadiens in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Known for his exceptional goal-scoring ability and offensive prowess, Caufield quickly became a key player for Montreal.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1963: Wayne Caufield Plays Semi-Professional Hockey

From 1963, Wayne Caufield played semi-professional hockey for numerous teams, including the Milwaukee Admirals of the United States Hockey League (USHL).

1968: Jacques Lemaire's Rookie Postseason Performance

In 1968, Jacques Lemaire recorded 13 points (7 goals and 6 assists) for the Montreal Canadiens in the postseason.

1986: Claude Lemieux's Rookie Postseason Performance

In 1986, Claude Lemieux recorded 16 points (10 goals and 6 assists) for the Montreal Canadiens in the postseason.

1987: Stéphane Richer's Fastest Two-Goal Performance

In 1987, Stéphane Richer had the fastest two-goal performance for the Canadiens franchise.

1988: Paul Caufield Plays for UWSP

In 1988, Paul Caufield, Cole Caufield's father, began playing hockey for the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point (UWSP).

1988: Stéphane Richer Reached 200 Points

Stéphane Richer reached 200 points in 243 games during the 1988–89 season.

January 2, 2001: Cole Caufield Born

On January 2, 2001, Cole Caufield was born. He would grow up to become an American professional ice hockey winger.

Others born on this day/year

2002: Paul Caufield Returns to UWSP as Assistant Coach

In 2002, Paul Caufield returned to the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point (UWSP) to work as an assistant coach.

2006: Paul Caufield Becomes Manager of Ice Hawks Arena

In 2006, Paul Caufield resigned from his position as assistant coach at UWSP to become the manager of Ice Hawks Arena.

March 2008: Carey Price received NHL Rookie of the Month

In March 2008, Carey Price received the NHL Rookie of the Month

2011: Wayne Caufield Inducted into Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame

In 2011, Wayne Caufield, Cole Caufield's paternal grandfather, was inducted into the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame.

2014: Auston Matthews Set USNTDP Record

In the 2014-15 season, Auston Matthews set a USNTDP single-season goal record, scoring 55 goals.

2017: Won Gold Medal at U17 WHC

In 2017, Cole Caufield was selected to the World U-17 Hockey Challenge (U17 WHC) where he tallied eight goals and five assists in six games, leading the United States to a gold medal.

2017: Trent Frederic Named Big Ten Freshman of the Year

In 2017, Trent Frederic was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

2017: Joined USA Hockey National Team Development Program

In spring 2017, Cole Caufield joined the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP) in Plymouth, Michigan.

July 13, 2018: Death of Wayne Caufield

Wayne Caufield, Cole Caufield's paternal grandfather, died on July 13, 2018, at the age of 75.

2018: Won Silver Medal at IIHF World U-18 Championship

At the 2018 IIHF World U-18 Championship, Cole Caufield notched six points in seven games towards a silver medal podium finish.

2018: Overtook USNTDP Goal Record

During the 2018–19 season, Cole Caufield scored 72 goals, surpassing Phil Kessel's all-time USNTDP goal record.

2018: Won Silver Medal at U18 WJC

In 2018, Cole Caufield represented the United States and won a silver medal at the U18 World Junior Championship (WJC).

2018: Won the 2018 Five Nations Cup

In late 2018, Team USA won the 2018 Five Nations Cup in the Czech Republic, during which Cole Caufield recorded seven goals and two assists in four games.

April 27, 2019: Tied Alex Ovechkin's Goals Record at U18 WJC

On April 27, 2019, Cole Caufield tied Alex Ovechkin's single tournament goals record with 14 at the 2019 IIHF World U18 Championship (U18 WJC), en route to a bronze medal.

June 21, 2019: Selected by Montreal Canadiens in NHL Draft

On June 21, 2019, Cole Caufield was selected in the first round (15th overall) by the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL entry draft.

2019: Played for Wisconsin Badgers

From 2019 to 2021, Cole Caufield played for the Wisconsin Badgers of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). During his freshman season in 2019–20, he recorded 19 goals and 17 assists in 36 games. He was selected to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, All-First Team, and was also named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

2019: Played for University of Wisconsin-Madison

In 2019, Cole Caufield began playing collegiately for the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the NCAA.

2019: Won Bronze Medal at U18 WJC

In 2019, Cole Caufield represented the United States and won a bronze medal at the U18 World Junior Championship (WJC).

2019: Drafted by Montreal Canadiens

In 2019, Cole Caufield was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round, 15th overall, of the NHL entry draft.

2019: Kirby Dach Drafted Third Overall

In 2019, Kirby Dach was drafted third overall.

2020: Continued Playing for University of Wisconsin-Madison

In 2020, Cole Caufield continued playing collegiately for the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the NCAA. He also became the leading goal and point-scorer for the 2020–21 NCAA season.

2020: Returned for Sophomore Season with Wisconsin

In 2020, due to uncertainty surrounding the NCAA season due to COVID-19, Cole Caufield opted to return for his sophomore season with Wisconsin instead of turning professional.

March 27, 2021: Signed Entry-Level Contract with Montreal Canadiens

On March 27, 2021, Cole Caufield signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Montreal Canadiens.

April 9, 2021: Named Hobey Baker Award Winner

On April 9, 2021, Cole Caufield was named the recipient of the Hobey Baker Award as the top NCAA Division I men's ice hockey player.

2021: Won Gold Medal at World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

During the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, Cole Caufield recorded two goals and three assists in seven games, helping the United States win a gold medal.

2021: Struggled in NHL Season

Entering the 2021–22 NHL season, Cole Caufield struggled amidst the Canadiens' poor start, and was sent down to play for the Laval Rocket on November 1. He was recalled to the main roster on November 18.

2021: Played for Wisconsin Badgers

From 2019 to 2021, Cole Caufield played for the Wisconsin Badgers of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

2021: Made NHL Playoff Debut

In 2021, Cole Caufield made his NHL playoff debut with the Montreal Canadiens and went on to play in twenty games. He also became the first rookie in league history to record three overtime points in a single postseason.

February 2022: Ice Time Increased Under Martin St. Louis

In February 2022, after Martin St. Louis replaced Dominique Ducharme as head coach, Cole Caufield saw his ice time increase and returned to the team's top line.

March 2022: Named NHL Rookie of the Month

In March 2022, Cole Caufield was named the NHL Rookie of the Month after leading all rookies in goals (7) and total points (15).

2022: Experimentation with First Line Wingers

During the 2022–23 season, Coach St. Louis experimented with different players in the winger slot alongside Caufield and Suzuki, including Anderson, Monahan, Hoffman and Dach. The Caufield–Suzuki–Dach line generated strong initial results.

June 5, 2023: Signed Eight-Year Extension with Canadiens

On June 5, 2023, Cole Caufield signed an eight-year, $62.8 million extension with the Montreal Canadiens.

2023: Joined Senior National Team

Following the 2023–24 NHL season, Cole Caufield accepted an invitation to make his senior national team debut at the 2024 IIHF World Championship.

September 2024: Switched Jersey Number to 13

In September 2024, Cole Caufield announced that he would be switching jersey numbers from 22 to 13 following the death of Johnny Gaudreau.

2024: Played at 2024 IIHF World Championship

Following the 2023–24 NHL season, Cole Caufield made his senior national team debut at the 2024 IIHF World Championship. He scored two goals in the team's group stage match against Poland, his first at the senior level.