New Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet was a former sixth-round draft choice of the team back in 1983 and went on to NHL greatness, so he can appreciate what one of his players, Noah Cates, has accomplished as a former fifth-round pick.
Apparently the Flyers’ current management recognizes that same potential.
On Tuesday, the team re-signed the 26-year-old two-way centerman to a new four-year, $16-million contract extension with an average annual value (AAV) of $4 million.
The move was announced by Flyers general manager Daniel Briere.
Cates made his presence felt last season when he centered an effective line which included right wing Bobby Brink and left wing Tyson Foerster, who recently signed a two-year, $7.5-million contract extension of his own.
After the line was assembled in November, Cates went on to have the best season of his career. He recorded 16 goals and a total of 37 points in 78 games.
He ranked second among all players in plus/minus ratings this past season with a plus-3.
The Stillwater, Minn. native was drafted by the Flyers in the fifth round (137th overall) in 2017, has played 235 career NHL games, all with the Flyers, and has registered 40 goals and 62 assists for 102 points.
The 6-foot-2, 194-pound forward made his NHL debut on April 29, 2022, in his home state. He scored his first NHL goal on April 5, 2022, against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Prior to joining the Flyers, Cates played four years at University of Minnesota-Duluth (2018-22) where he helped lead the team to an NCAA national championship as a freshman in 2019. He also contributed to a Frozen Four appearance in 2021 and a Final Eight finish in 2022.
Cates totaled 39 goals/99 points in 139 games played with the Bulldogs and was captain for his junior and senior seasons.
As a freshman, he led UMD rookies in points (nine goals/23 points) and was named to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) All-Rookie Team as well as UMD’s Rookie of the Year. Cates was also named to the NCHC All-Conference first team in 2019-20 and the second team in 2020-21.
In addition, Cates has represented the United States on two occasions at the 2019 Under-20 World Junior Championship and the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
At the 2019 World Junior Championship Cates tallied one goal and two assists helping the team to a silver medal. In 2022 at the Olympic Games, Cates served as an assistant captain and scored one goal in four games.
Back on March 15, former head coach John Tortorella made it known Cates was one of his most effective players this past season.
“Noah Cates stands out like a star,” the coach said at a media session. “He is one of those guys.”
Cates’ balanced game is a source of personal pride.
“When you’re playing against the top guys and they’re playing hard offensively, especially in this league, the two-way game can be key,” he said. “Trying to shut down and play hard hard against the other teams’ top guys is valuable and can really help the team.”
Cates was a plus-player every season during his four-year career at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
In his second year (2022-23) with the Flyers, he played all 82 games and established himself as a mainstay. Some injury issues curtailed him the following season (just 59 games) but he maintained good health this past season.
When Scott Laughton was traded away at the NHL deadline, Cates might have become the best all-around player on the Flyers among the forwards for the season.
“I knew kind of at the beginning of the year it was going to be hard and different,” Cates said. “But I knew I was going to get my opportunity. Just needed to be hungry for it.
“It’s a good reminder to know where I was. We were kind of in the dog days at the end of the season. I get tired but you have to stay focused and determined. You can see how quickly things can change in a year from where I was at. You can’t take a day for granted. Keep working, stay focused, stay determined.”
