Noah Cates

July 2023 – Cates avoided salary arbitration and signed a two-year, $5.25 million contract extension ($2.625 million AAV). During the 2022-23 season as a rookie in his first full NHL season, Cates played 82 games and had 38 points (13 goals and 25 assists). He established himself as one of the league’s better defensive centers and Tortorella became a pretty big fan. He finished 15th in the Selke Trophy voting, which goes to a “forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game,” earning 19 votes. Mark Henry

July 2023 – Cates avoided salary arbitration and signed a two-year, $5.25 million contract extension ($2.625 million AAV). During the 2022-23 season as a rookie in his first full NHL season, Cates played 82 games and had 38 points (13 goals and 25 assists). He established himself as one of the league’s better defensive centers. He finished 15th in the Frank J. Selke Trophy voting, which goes to a “forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game,” earning 19 votes. Mark Henry

May 2022 – Signing his entry-level contract shortly after UMD’s quarterfinal elimination from the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championship, Cates made an immediate impression in his 16 games with the struggling Flyers. Recording five goals and four assists in the late stages of the failed campaign. The 23-year-old served as one of the few organizational bright spots as the 2021-2022 season drew to a close. Establishing himself as a reliable bottom-six forward, Cates demonstrated the hockey IQ and work ethic necessary to succeed at the game’s highest level. His on-ice positioning and awareness made him a capable option for any situation, especially for a team decimated by injury and desperate for positive contributions. Thinking ahead to next season, Cates has all but secured a spot on the roster, likely slotting in on the team’s fourth line, depending on other offseason moves. It is not far-fetched to see him on a third line, with the potential of sliding even further up the depth chart for short-term stints filling in for potential injuries. Although he is unlikely to become an elite point producer, the future remains bright for Cates and his long-term projection as an NHL regular. John Gove

April 2019 – Cates has had his consistent and considerable efforts rewarded as he and the rest of the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs win a National Championship by shutting out the University of Massachusetts. Cates led all Bulldogs Freshmen with a very respectable 23 points through 40 games. He started to show that there is more to come as the NCAA Tournament progressed which should make for more of a flying start to next season. He would do well to put on some good weight this offseason to better allow for the possibility.  Edric Joseph