Canadiens draft Cole Caufield 15th overall

The Montreal Canadiens selected Stevens Point, Wis., native Cole Caufield with the 15th overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft.

Cole Caufield

Position: Forward
Height: 5-foot-7
Weight: 163 lbs
Age: 18
Club: USA U-18 (NTDP)
Nationality: American

(Stats courtesy: EliteProspects.com)

Caufield entered the draft as the eighth-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting and was projected to be taken in the top 10.

Caufield had a record-breaking season with the NTDP. The dynamic winger became the program's all-time leading goal-scorer and also set the record for goals in a single season. With so much offensive upside packed into a smaller frame, Caufield has drawn comparison to Chicago Blackhawks forward Alex DeBrincat.

What they're saying

“I’ve never seen purer hands coming through the NTDP," head coach John Wroblewski said, according to The Athletic's Corey Pronman. "When he catches a puck, it lays flat. Every pass or shot explodes off his stick. It’s not the flashy dangles, it’s pure, it’s clean."

"Caufield has an excellent scoring IQ and arrives at the right places at the right times. He’s the best pure goal-scorer available in this draft," according to TSN's Craig Button.