Former Minnesota-Duluth Bulldog Noah Cates Scores First NHL Goal

On March 29, former UMD Bulldog captain Noah Cates made his NHL debut with the Philadelphia Flyers. Even though the Flyers were on the road, he had plenty of support for his debut as Philadelphia was in Minnesota to battle the Wild.

While Cates didn't do much in terms of the stat line during that game, he has since averaged 13:50 of ice time per contest playing in a bottom-six role for the Flyers. The 23-year old has been grinding and on Tuesday night, all of his hard work paid off as he enjoyed a night he'll remember for the rest of his career.

In just his fourth NHL game, Noah Cates scored his first NHL goal. His first career NHL goal came the first period with nearly two minutes remaining. After receiving the puck in the mid-slot from Patrick Brown, Cates beat Columbus Blue Jacket goalie Elvis Merzlikins with a hard shot to the blocker side right were the goalie wasn’t.

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It really is a great play all around, with a perfect finish by Noah Cates.

Cates, who is a Stillwater, Minnesota native, was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers as the fifth round pick (137th) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. After representing the United States at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and then finishing a successful collegiate career with the UMD Bulldogs, he joined the Flyers.

Both the city and the team and the city were highly anticipating his arrival. Broad Street Hockey says he was a closely watched prospect by them as well and they have been very encouraged by what they have seen so from from the former Bulldog.

I think I speak for the entire Northland when I say 'Congratulations Noah!'. There's no doubt that this will be the first of many goals in your NHL career.

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