Noah Cates has come a long way since being drafted in the fifth round. He could be emerging as one of the Flyers top college prospects.
It has been a few years since Noah Cates was drafted by the Flyers in the fifth round in 2017. He had finished his final season as captain at Stillwater High. Cates had gotten better each season, posting 20 goals and 65 points in 25 games that final year.
Cates averaged almost two points per-game in the USHS-MN. He collected 53 goals and 96 assists in three seasons. That’s 149 points in just 75 games. So before being drafted, he was already showing off a prolific scoring touch.
Appearing in the USHL briefly before, Cates made his full season debut in 2017-18. He continued to show off his scoring, collecting 21 goals and 34 assists in 60 games for the Omaha Lancers. He was second on the team in points and 10th in the entire USHL.
Staying in the area, Cates headed to Minnesota-Duluth to begin his collegiate career. He joined his brother, Jackson Cates, also a freshman that season. The points may not necessarily show it, but Cates played an important role on the team during his freshman season.
He also took part in the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship for Team USA. Winning a sliver medal, that tournament seemingly pushed him forward during his first season. And Scott Sandelin, head coach at Minnesota-Duluth, had a front row view at Cates.
"“You know what that tournament can do for players. I thought he really, really excelled in the second half for us, played with more confidence in everything that he was doing."
The team won the NCAA Championship that year and Cates was named to the NCAA (NCHC) All-Rookie Team.
Things got even better for Cates this past season. He was doing just about everything for the Bulldogs. Even playing center after his brother was lost to injury late in the season.
Propelled to a bigger role on the team, Cates rewarded them with his production. His 33 points were third on the team after finishing seventh last season. He reached double-digit goals, tied for second on the team.
They didn’t get the opportunity to finish off the season and look towards another NCAA championship. They were certainly poised to do so. Especially with Cates helping to lead the way.
His development at Minnesota-Duluth has helped propel him up the list of Flyers prospects. The team knows what they have in Cates. Flyers player development coach Kjell Samuelsson has this to say about him last summer.
"“We talk about him every day and we can’t stop bragging about him. He’s quietly gotten better and better every year, and everything we ask him to do, he’s doing it.”"
Cates is likely to play at least one more NCAA season before turning pro. With the season cut short, no doubt he wants another chance to reach the top of the collegiate hockey mountain.
But the Flyers may not have to wait much longer than that to see Cates in Philadelphia.