Flyers prospect Noah Cates named to U.S. Men’s Olympic team

With the NHL opting out of the Olympics and the IIHF making official confirmation of such, national teams were forced to look elsewhere for talent. This opened the door for AHL, KHL, or even collegiate athletes to take part in games they otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to do. And the Flyers will have their own representation when it comes to the U.S. squad.

Noah Cates was one of 25 players named to the U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey team on Thursday evening. Cates was drafted by the Flyers during the fifth round of the 2017 NHL Draft. He has spent the last four years at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, the last two as the Bulldogs. Cates has put up a solid season thus far, posting six goals and 14 points in 20 games. He’s second on the team in goals and tied for first on the Bulldogs in points.

This won’t be the first time that Cates has put on the American jersey. He represented the U.S. during the World Junior Championships in 2019. He recorded one goal and three points overall in seven games. This will be a much bigger opportunity for Cates and on an even bigger stage that the WJC. The Flyers’ 2017 pick has yet to sign his NHL contract as well.

His brother, Jackson Cates, is currently with the Flyers after signing an entry-level contract towards the end of the 2020-21 season.

Phantoms goaltender Pat Nagle heading to Beijing

While not on an NHL contract, Pat Nagle will be joining Cates on the Olympic squad. A well traveled goaltender, Nagle signed with the Phantoms this past season and has spent time in both the AHL and ECHL.

With Lehigh Valley, Nagle has a 2.74 GAA and a .897 SV% in eight games. With Reading, he has posted a 2.58 GAA and a .927 SV%. This will be the first time that Nagle has represented his country at any level.

He will bring plenty of experience and veteran leadership to a position that features Drew Commesso, 19 years old, and Strauss Mann, 23 years old.