Misplaced Pages

Noah Cates

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by GhostRiver (talk | contribs) at 20:42, 9 January 2025 (→College: ref name). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Revision as of 20:42, 9 January 2025 by GhostRiver (talk | contribs) (→College: ref name)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) American ice hockey player (born 1999) Ice hockey player
Noah Cates
Born (1999-02-05) February 5, 1999 (age 25)
Stillwater, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 194 lb (88 kg; 13 st 12 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
NHL team Philadelphia Flyers
National team  United States
NHL draft 137th overall, 2017
Philadelphia Flyers
Playing career 2022–present

Noah Allen Cates (born February 5, 1999) is an American professional ice hockey left wing for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers selected Cates in the fifth round, with the 137th overall pick, of the 2017 NHL entry draft. Cates has also been a member of the United States men's national ice hockey team, representing the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Early life

Cates was born February 5, 1999, in Stillwater, Minnesota, to Jeff and Jenny Cates. His uncle Jay played three seasons of college ice hockey with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, while his father won the 1988 NCAA Division III men's ice hockey tournament with the Wisconsin–River Falls Falcons. Cates began practicing hockey in his basement with this brother Jackson, and the pair played on the same childhood teams. A member of the Stillwater Area High School ice hockey team, Cates' overtime goal to send his team to the state tournament was featured on SportsCenter. The next year, he recorded 20 goals and 65 points in 25 games for Stillwater.

Rather than entering college immediately after high school in 2017, Cates spent time in the United States Hockey League (USHL) to improve physically and develop his frame. The Omaha Lancers had taken Cates in Phase I of the 2015 USHL draft, and at the end of his high school season, he joined the team for the remainder of the 2016–17 USHL season. In 11 games, Cates had two junior ice hockey goals and five assists. Shortly afterwards, the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL) selected Cates in the fifth round, with the 137th overall pick, of the 2017 NHL entry draft. After a slow start to the 2017–18 season, with six goals and 14 points in his first 22 games, Cates broke out for the remainder of the year, finishing his full season in Omaha with 21 goals and 55 points in 60 games, as well as a +21 plus–minus rating.

Playing career

College

Cates joined the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs for the 2018–19 season, making his college hockey debut on October 6 against Minnesota. He scored his first goal the next day, combining with his brother for three of Duluth's four goals in their 7-4 loss to Minnesota. That January, Cates moved to the top line with Peter Krieger and Nick Swaney, the trio combining for 10 goals and 18 points in their first 18 games of the calendar year. Cates's first multi-goal game came on March 1, when he scored twice and assisted once in a 4-2 win over the Miami RedHawks, earning National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Offensive Player of the Week honors for his performance. Finishing the season with nine goals and 23 points, Cates was named to the NCHC All-Rookie Team and was a finalist for NCHC Rookie of the Year. The Bulldogs shut out the UMass Minutemen to win the 2019 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament, with Cates scoring in the 3–0 championship game.

Cates began the 2019–20 season playing on the same line as his brother, with six of their combined first eight goals of the season coming while the pair were on the ice together. Cates earned praise from coach Scott Sandelin that season for his consistency, physical play, and competitive nature. A natural left wing, Cates took over at center in place of his older brother at the end of February, when Jackson sustained a clavicle fracture. At the time the remainder of the 2019-20 season was canceled due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cates had 14 goals and 33 points in 34 games for the Bulldogs. He received All-NCHC First Team and AHCA All-American Second Team honors and was a finalist for the NCHC Forward of the Year award.

Going into the 2020–21 season, Cates was named captain of the Bulldogs, becoming the first junior captain in Duluth since Adam Krause in 2014. The NCHC also named Cates to their Preseason All-Conference Team. Taking on the role of top-line center for the Bulldogs after Justin Richards left to play for the New York Rangers, Cates saw a dip in offensive production during his junior season, with five goals and 19 points in 28 games. He was named to the All-NCHC Second Team, one of four Bulldogs to receive All-NCHC honors. The Bulldogs lost to the Minutemen in the 2021 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament semifinals, with Cates recording an assist in the 3-2 overtime loss.

Rather than leaving college to begin his professional ice hockey career, Cates returned to the Bulldogs for the 2021–22 season, where he repeated as captain and as a Preseason All-Conference selection. The Bulldogs added three centers before the season, allowing Cates to move back to wing. He missed four games in February against the Denver Pioneers and North Dakota Fighting Hawks while attending the 2022 Winter Olympics, returning to score a shootout goal in the Bulldogs' February 22 win over the St. Cloud State Huskies. Finishing the season with 11 goals and 24 points in 35 games, Cates was an All-NCHC Honorable Mention. Duluth lost 2-1 to Denver in the regional finals of the 2022 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament, and Cates finished his college ice hockey career with 39 goals and 99 points in 139 games.

Professional

On March 27, 2022, shortly after the end of his college season, Cates signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Flyers, which went into effect for the remainder of the 2021-22 NHL season. He made his NHL debut two days later, making three shots and starting on left wing in a 4-1 loss to his hometown Minnesota Wild. His first NHL goal came on April 5, in the first period of a 4-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. In 16 games to end the season, Cates recorded five goals and nine points, and he earned praise from interim coach Mike Yeo for his maturity and "really good hockey sense".

With Sean Couturier not ready for opening night, head coach John Tortorella moved Cates to center to start the 2022–23 season. After struggling out of the gate, scoring only one point in his first 11 games, he adjusted to the role throughout the season. Injuries to prominent players like Couturier, Cam Atkinson, and James van Riemsdyk forced Cates into a significant role as a rookie, where he served as a defensive-oriented two-way forward. By January and into February, Cates found chemistry and consistency playing on a line with Joel Farabee and Travis Konecny. One of four rookie forwards to play all 82 games during the 2022-23 season, Cates posted 13 goals and 38 points while leading all Flyers forwards with 1,456 minutes of ice time.

A restricted free agent at the end of the 2022-23 season, Cates re-signed with the Flyers for two years and $5.25 million on July 10, 2023. In preparation for the 2023–24 season, Cates worked on improving his offensive ability and his face-off skills. Although he continued to succeed defensively, Cates was dropped from the first to the fourth line in November after continuing to struggle with scoring. On November 25, Cates fractured his foot blocking a shot against the New York Islanders. At the time, he had played 119 consecutive games to begin his career. He missed the next 22 games, returning to the lineup on January 15 against the St. Louis Blues. With only four points in 21 games before the injury, Cates told reporters he approached his recovery as a "mental reset" to improve his confidence and strength. Filling in at center on nights when Couturier was unavailable, Cates predominantly played on the wing with Ryan Poehling and Garnet Hathaway. He finished the year with six goals and 18 points in 59 games and told reporters that his season had suffered due to "an identity crisis and then some confidence stuff, some injuries", and citing his focus on offense instead of defense as a struggle.

After serving as a healthy scratch for four of the Flyers' first five games of the 2024–25 season, Cates took over as a penalty kill specialist, drawing positive comparisons to Couturier for his defensive prowess. He found offensive success that December on a line with Bobby Brink and Tyson Foerster. The trio scored a combined 25 points in their first 15 games together, including a five-game goal streak for Cates.

International play

Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2019 Canada

Cates made his international ice hockey debut with the United States men's national junior ice hockey team at the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Canada. He finished the tournament with one goal and three points in seven games while playing a heavy part on Team USA's penalty kill. The one goal came against the Czech Republic in the tournament quarterfinals, off an assist from Jack Hughes. Cates and the United States won silver at the tournament, losing 3-2 to Finland in the championship game.

On January 13, 2022, Cates was named to Team USA's roster to represent the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Personal life

Cates is the younger brother of professional ice hockey player Jackson Cates, who also began his NHL career with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2015–16 Omaha Lancers USHL 2 1 0 1 2 — — — — —
2016–17 Omaha Lancers USHL 11 2 5 7 6 — — — — —
2017–18 Omaha Lancers USHL 60 21 34 55 26 4 1 2 3 0
2018–19 U. of Minnesota Duluth NCHC 40 9 14 23 33 — — — — —
2019–20 U. of Minnesota Duluth NCHC 34 14 19 33 35 — — — — —
2020–21 U. of Minnesota Duluth NCHC 28 5 14 19 25 — — — — —
2021–22 U. of Minnesota Duluth NCHC 37 11 13 24 19 — — — — —
2021–22 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 16 5 4 9 4 — — — — —
2022–23 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 82 13 25 38 12 — — — — —
2023–24 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 59 6 12 18 0 — — — — —
NHL totals 157 24 41 65 16 — — — — —

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2019 United States WJC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 1 2 3 2
2022 United States OG 5th 4 1 0 1 2
Junior totals 7 1 2 3 2
Senior totals 4 1 0 1 2

Awards and honors

Award Year(s) Ref.
College
AHCA All-American Second Team 2020
All-NCHC First Team 2020
All-NCHC Second Team 2021
All-NCHC Honorable Mention 2022
NCHC All-Rookie Team 2019
NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament champion 2019

References

  1. "Noah Cates Stats and News". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  2. ^ "Noah Cates – Men's Hockey". Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  3. Lawler, Christa; Wagner, Steve (April 12, 2019). "Despite snow and cancelled flights, Noah and Jackson Cates' parents find way to Frozen Four". The Rink Live. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  4. Han, Giana; Reiner, Olivia (August 29, 2022). "Cates brothers' unbreakable bond has carried them from their Minnesota basement to the Flyers". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  5. Hall, Jordan (July 21, 2017). "A high school hit, Flyers draft pick Noah Cates now looks ahead". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  6. Frederick, Jace (March 7, 2017). "East Metro boys hockey player of the year: Stillwater's Noah Cates". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  7. "Lancers select 27 in USHL draft". Omaha Lancers. May 7, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  8. "Cates Ranked as 121st North American Skater". Omaha Lancers. April 11, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  9. Berky, Isaac (June 25, 2017). "Flyers Draft Cates in Fifth Round". Omaha Lancers. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  10. Hall, Jordan (July 22, 2018). "It's back to school for Flyers prospect Noah Cates". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  11. "Minnesota finally gets the better of the Bulldogs". Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. October 7, 2018. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  12. ^ Ciskie, Bruce (February 14, 2019). "After a run at the World Juniors, a few Bulldogs are looking strong as ever". The Athletic. The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  13. "UMD's Mikey Anderson and Noah Cates collar NCHC weekly awards". Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. March 4, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  14. "Noah Cates strikes twice and Bulldogs double up on Miami". Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. March 1, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  15. ^ "UMD's Noah Cates voted to NCHC All-Rookie Team". Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. March 12, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  16. "Sandelin and five Bulldogs up for NCHC postseason awards". Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. March 14, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  17. ^ "Minnesota Duluth Successfully Defends N.C.A.A. Title, Blanking UMass". The Athletic. The New York Times. April 13, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  18. Wellens, Matt; Hatten, Mick (November 15, 2019). "UMD's Cates brothers making strong case to remain together with solid start to sophomore seasons". The Rink Live. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  19. "Bulldog spotlight: Noah Cates". Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  20. Wellens, Matt (February 26, 2020). "College men's hockey: Jackson Cates not ruled out for season, but 'out for a while'". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  21. Isaac, Dave (March 8, 2020). "Flyers prospect watch: Noah Cates going for second NCAA title". Courier-Post. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  22. "NCAA cancels rest of 2019-20 hockey season due to coronavirus outbreak". U.S. college Hockey Online. March 12, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  23. ^ "Record-Tying Seven NCHC Players Garner 2019-20 AHCA All-American Honors". National Collegiate Hockey Conference. April 12, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  24. ^ "Program-record four Bulldogs attain All-NCHC first team status for 2019-20". Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. March 11, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  25. "Five Bulldogs and head coach Sandelin announced as finalists for NCHC awards". Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. March 16, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  26. Wellens, Matt (April 30, 2020). "College men's hockey: Noah Cates to captain Bulldogs in 2020-21". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  27. "2020-21 NCHC Preseason All-Conference Team features pair of Bulldogs". Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. November 24, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  28. ^ Wellens, Matt (April 20, 2021). "UMD men's hockey: Noah Cates, four seniors will return to Bulldogs for 2021-22 season". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  29. ^ "Bulldog quartet named to 2020-21 All-NCHC Teams". Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. March 8, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  30. Wellens, Matt (April 8, 2021). "2021 NCAA Frozen Four: Bulldogs' quest for three-peat ends with 3-2 OT loss to UMass". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  31. "Men's hockey names 2021-22 team captains". Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. August 24, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  32. "Cates named to NCHC Preseason All-Conference Team". Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. September 13, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  33. Wellens, Matt (September 16, 2021). "UMD men's hockey: Freshman class brings added depth to Bulldogs lineup, especially at center". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  34. Wellens, Matt (January 13, 2022). "UMD men's hockey: Bulldogs' captain Noah Cates named to college-heavy United States Olympic team". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  35. Wellens, Matt (February 17, 2022). "UMD men's hockey: Bulldogs, Fighting Hawks forced to embrace 'next man up' mentality with key players missing". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  36. "Fanti makes 46 saves, No. 8 Bulldogs take shootout point from No. 11 St. Cloud". Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. February 22, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  37. Wellens, Matt (March 27, 2022). "UMD men's hockey: Bulldogs' captain Cates signs with Flyers, will make NHL debut Tuesday against Wild at Xcel". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  38. ^ "Fanti, Cates earn All-NCHC honors". Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. March 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  39. Knabenbauer, Ron (March 26, 2022). "Denver Hockey Punches Ticket to Frozen Four". Denver Pioneers. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  40. "Cates signs NHL contract with Flyers". Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. March 27, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  41. "Flyers sign Forward Noah Cates to entry-level contract". National Hockey League. Philadelphia Flyers. March 27, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  42. Myers, Jess (March 29, 2022). "With a huge cheering section, former Bulldogs, Stillwater star Noah Cates makes his NHL debut close to home". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  43. Fish, Wayne (April 5, 2022). "Cates scores first NHL goal as Flyers edged by Blue Jackets". The News Journal. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  44. Meltzer, Bill (September 13, 2022). "Flyers Prospect Directory 2022-23". National Hockey League. Philadelphia Flyers. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  45. Reiner, Olivia (April 25, 2022). "In his early look with the Flyers, winger Noah Cates is turning heads with maturity and offensive game". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  46. O'Connor, Charlie (August 9, 2023). "Flyers' Noah Cates thrived as a rookie. Now he looks to take further steps". The Athletic. The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  47. Reiner, Olivia (December 2, 2022). "'What else do you want, Coach?' Flyers' Noah Cates embracing every responsibility under John Tortorella". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  48. Han, Giana (January 3, 2023). "Flyers' Noah Cates starting to add offensive production to his responsible all-around game". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  49. Smith, Brian (February 7, 2023). "Cates, A Calming Influence, Settling In With Flyers". National Hockey League. Philadelphia Flyers. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  50. Smith, Brian (June 17, 2023). "A Breakout Season For Noah Cates". National Hockey League. Philadelphia Flyers. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  51. Quigley, Ryan (August 1, 2023). "Flyers Summer Sampler: Noah Cates appears destined for bigger role". The Hockey News. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  52. "Flyers sign Noah Cates to a two-year contract". National Hockey League. Philadelphia Flyers. July 10, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  53. Neiburg, Jeff (September 27, 2023). "The Flyers have a future Selke candidate in Noah Cates. Now, can he take a leap offensively?". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  54. Spiegel, Jackie (November 21, 2023). "Noah Cates working hard to find more offense to complement his defensive excellence". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  55. Spiegel, Jackie (November 28, 2023). "Flyers forward Noah Cates out 6-8 weeks with broken foot". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  56. Hall, Jordan (November 28, 2023). "Flyers' key depth forward Noah Cates to miss extended time with injury". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  57. Elvin, Gustav (January 15, 2024). "Flyers' Noah Cates to return from broken foot, play first game since Nov. 25". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  58. Spiegel, Jackie (January 18, 2024). "Noah Cates hoping injury layoff will be a positive 'reset' for his overall game". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  59. Spiegel, Jackie (April 6, 2024). "Noah Cates finding his game at the right time as the Flyers make final push for playoffs". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  60. Hall, Jordan (May 21, 2024). "'Identity crisis' for Cates may be blessing in disguise". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  61. Spiegel, Jackie (November 19, 2024). "The Flyers see a young Sean Couturier in Noah Cates, who is emerging as the team's top penalty-killer". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  62. Spiegel, Jackie (December 29, 2024). "Flyers' line of Noah Cates, Bobby Brink, and Tyson Foerster is clicking on this trip". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  63. Boulay, Christopher (January 27, 2019). "Back to school: WJC experience kickstart for Noah Cates". Elite Prospects. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  64. Appleyard, Alexander (January 8, 2019). "From Cates to St. Ivany: How the Flyers' 7 prospects fared at the World Junior Championship". The Athletic. The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  65. "U.S. Edges Czech Republic, 3-1, Advances to Semifinals". USA Hockey. January 2, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  66. "U.S. Falls to Finland, 3-2, To Earn Silver at 2019 WJC". USA Hockey. January 5, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  67. "2022 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team Unveiled". teamusa.com. January 13, 2022. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  68. Reiner, Olivia (January 13, 2022). "Flyers prospect Noah Cates, three others with local ties named to U.S. men's Olympic hockey roster". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  69. Hall, Jordan (April 13, 2021). "Flyers sign a college free agent, who is the brother of a prospect". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Retrieved January 14, 2022.

External links

Stub icon

This biographical article relating to an American ice hockey player is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it.

Categories: