Noah Cates’ decision to file for salary arbitration last week apparently had its desired effect on the Flyers.
On Monday, the team avoided a potential messy situation by agreeing to terms with Cates on a two-year, $5.25 million contract ($2.625 million AAV), according to general manager Daniel Briere.
Cates, 24, recorded 13 goals/38 points in 82 games in 2022-23, his rookie season in the NHL. He was one of three Flyers and one of just four NHL rookies to appear in all 82 games.
It was an all-around good first season for Cates, a native of Stillwater, Minnesota.
During his rookie campaign, he tied for the Flyers lead in game-winning goals (five), which also led all NHL rookies, and ranks tied for sixth in Flyers history for most game-winning goals by a rookie in a single season.
His 38 points finished sixth in scoring among NHL rookies and finished seventh in assists (25) and tied for 10th in goals (13). He collected three goals/11 points in the final 14 games of the season and finished the season with nine multi-point games.
Prior to turning professional, Cates spent four seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he helped the Bulldogs win the 2019 NCAA National Championship and led them to an additional Frozen Four appearance in 2021.
He recorded a total of 39 goals and 60 assists for 99 points in 139 games at UMD and was named to the NCHC All-Rookie Team for the 2018-19 season when he posted nine goals/23 points in 40 games en route to the NCAA Title.
Internationally, Cates has represented the United States on several occasions. He was a member of Team USA for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing where he appeared in all four games and recorded one goal and a plus-2 rating. He helped the U.S. win a silver medal at the 2019 World Junior Championships, appearing in all seven games.
Cates signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Flyers on March 27, 2022 after he was originally selected by the Flyers in the fifth-round (137th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft.
