Canadiens prospect Cole Caufield’s university team is eliminated
Caufield #Caufield
Canadiens prospect Cole Caufield’s university hockey career almost certainly came to an end Friday afternoon.
Caufield’s University of Wisconsin Badgers lost 6-3 to the Bemidji State Beavers in the first round of the Bridgeport Regional, which is part of the NCAA Tournament.
Caufield, the Canadiens’ first-round pick (15th overall) at the 2019 NHL Draft, is now expected to turn pro.
When GM Marc Bergevin spoke with the media earlier this month on a video conference he said the Canadiens have a plan for Caufield but that he would keep it to himself at that point. Caufield could now either join the AHL’s Laval Rocket or play for the Canadiens, but would first first have to go through a 14-day COVID-19 quarantine after arriving in Montreal.
Caufield had two goals and an assist in Friday’s game in Connecticut against Bemidji State. The 5-foot-7, 165-pound right-winger finishes the season with 30-22-52 totals in 31 games, leading the NCAA in goals and points. The 20-year-old is a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, which goes to the top player in the NCAA.
The Badgers, who finish the season with an overall record of 20-10-1, were the top-seeded team at the Bridgeport Regional, while Bemidji State (16-9-3) was seeded fourth. The winner of the Bridgeport Regional will advance to the NCAA Frozen Four championship tournament slated for April 8-10 in Pittsburgh.
“I’ve watched games where his game without the puck, his commitment without the puck, took the biggest step for me,” Bergevin said this month when asked about Caufield’s development this season. “He’s always been a goal-scorer. … Those type of players where they need just that one chance and it’s in the back of the net. So that’s always been there.
“I remember watching him (in a game) and they lost the puck at the blue line,” Bergevin added. “He was the first guy back and he lifted the guy’s stick. I think his game without the puck has improved a lot.”
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