Montreal Canadiens sign top prospect Cole Caufield to entry-level contract

MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens have inked standout college prospect Cole Caufield to an entry-level deal.

The team announced Saturday that it had signed the 20-year-old right-winger to a three-year contract.

Picked 15th overall at the 2019 NHL draft, Caufield spent the last two seasons playing at the University of Wisconsin and led the Big Ten division with 52 points (30 goals, 22 assists) this season.

The native of Stevens Point, Wis., also led the NCAA in goals and was named Big Ten Play of the Year.

Caufield’s college career ended Friday when the Badgers was eliminated in the first round of the NCAA playoffs by Bemidji State.

The Canadiens are expected to return to the ice for practice Monday after having four games postponed when forwards Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Joel Armia were added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2021.