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J. Cates Flyers Debut

Men's Hockey

JACKSON CATES MAKES NHL DEBUT AS THE 62ND BULLDOG TO PLAY IN NHL

Jackson Cates, who played a fulfilling three years with the University of Minnesota Duluth, became the 62nd Bulldog to reach the National Hockey League after making his debut this evening with the Philadelphia Flyers, who played the New York Rangers. He occurred 11:19 minutes of ice time in the Flyer's 4-1 loss to the Rangers. He put up three shots on goal with four faceoff wins.

J. Cates became the first UMD player from the 2020-21 roster to hit the ice in an NHL game this season. He decided to forgo his senior season with the Bulldogs just a couple weeks ago after signing a two-year entry level contract with the Flyers.
 
Over his three year span, he has played in 96 games, putting up 64 points (27g, 37a). In his freshman campaign, he played in 39 games and allied 14 points (8g, 6a). In his second go around, he tallied 23 points (8g, 15a) in 29 games and in this past season he managed to put up 27 points (11g, 16a) in 28 games. He was one of three players to net a hat-trick on the season, and the only one to tally natural hat-trick (all three goals scored in succession).

While scoring 27 goals and dishing out 37 assists over three years, Cates has netted two game winners, scored 13 goals while on the man advantage and shot at a .105 shooting percentage. His 27 points this season was second on the team just behind Nick Swaney and was 28th in the NCAA. Along with his five power play goals (T-14th in NCAA), he seven assists on the power play for 12 points on the man advantage, good for a six way tie for 13th in the NCAA.
 
Cates was apart of an NCHC tournament winning team and NCAA Championship team back in 2019, and has seen action in back to back NCAA Frozen Four's (2019 & 2021).
 
In all, 62 former Bulldogs have gone on to play in the NHL, with first-round draft pick Larry Wright being the first (Philadelphia in 1970-72). Some 26 of those UMD alums played under current Bulldog head coach Scott Sandelin.
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Players Mentioned

Jackson Cates

#20 Jackson Cates

F
6' 0"
Junior
L
Nick Swaney

#23 Nick Swaney

F
5' 11"
Senior
R

Players Mentioned

Jackson Cates

#20 Jackson Cates

6' 0"
Junior
L
F
Nick Swaney

#23 Nick Swaney

5' 11"
Senior
R
F