Montreal Canadiens: USA Coach Singing Praises of Cole Caufield at WJC Camp

Montreal Canadiens top prospect Cole Caufield is off to a great start at USA World Junior camp.

The Montreal Canadiens were happy to select Cole Caufield with the 15th pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. He may be a little on the smaller side, but he has incredible offensive attributes.

Caufield headed to the University of Wisconsin after being drafted and had a terrific freshman campaign for the Badgers. The 5’9″ right winger scored 19 goals and 36 points in 36 games, leading the way offensively in his first college season.

His impact at the college level, and his previous experience representing his country led to Caufield being named to the USA World Junior team last year. He underwhelmed at the event, scoring one goal and one assist in five games, though he wasn’t given a huge offensive opportunity.

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While Caufield led the way offensively in every other year wearing the American sweater, he was placed on a third and fourth line during last year’s World Juniors. Playing on a line with John Beecher didn’t give Caufield the best chance to light up the scoresheet and neither did his limited action with the man advantage.

That shouldn’t be the case this year. Caufield is still eligible to play at another World Juniors and is at the USA selection camp right now. His head coach met with the media last night and he is very pleased with Caufield’s performance thus far.

USA Head Coach Nate Leaman commented the he was very impressed with Caufield’s edgework on his skates and that he has an elite level offensive IQ on the ice.

Caufield also mentioned that he spent a lot of time during his offseason working on his lower body strength, making him quicker and even more elusive.

That is a scary thought for any future opponent of Caufield. Though his best attribute is his elite shot, Caufield already possessed terrific skating and quickness on the ice. He often would avoid defenders by heading in one direction, before changing his path and shifting a gear without notice.

Caufield already had an NHL level shot, terrific passing and vision and great instincts defensively as well. His skating was never going to hold him back, but if he improved that as well, he is going to have a ridiculously strong second season at Wisconsin.

Joining Caufield at the USA camp right now are Habs prospects Jayden Struble, Luke Tuch and Sean Farrell.