A fifth-round draft pick in 2017, Noah Cates had continued to defy the odds. He was selected 137th overall that year and is currently tied for 24th place with 40 goals amongst players taken in that draft. For informational purposes, Morgan Frost, taken at 27th, has 53, and Owen Tippett, taken at 10th, has 93.
Cates, in his four-year career (playing in fewer games than Frost or Tippett), began his career as a roster bubble winger. Injuries compelled the team to play him at center. Since then, he has excelled, earning votes for the Selke Trophy and finishing ninth in the Calder Trophy as a rookie. He has played, at one point or another, on every line on the Flyers team. More importantly, his style of play earned him a well-deserved contract extension, the love of fans, and the respect of his teammates.
The Rise of Noah Cates
Cates is one of those players who is hard not to fall in love with. He's probably not going to be a superstar player, although he's drawn comparisons to Sean Couturier in his playing style. It's that he does everything right. He's a modern-day version of Michael Handzus or Daymond Langkow. Players like that always end up getting a following. Why?
Except for his sophomore year, when he had a slump due to injuries, he's gotten better each year. This past season, he set a career high with 16 goals. It is not out of the realm to believe that a 20-goal season is possible. Toward the end of the year, the line he shared with Bobby Brink and Tyson Foerster became the team's most reliable.
But hockey is more than just points. The more experience in the faceoff circle, the better he is getting. He is doling out more hits and making more blocks than in previous years. He is battling for the puck in the corners and setting up his teammates for scoring opportunities. He is developing a reputation as a solid defensive forward. Cates is doing this while helming the second or third line on the Flyers.
Cates has endeared himself to Flyers fans because of his work ethic. From a roster bubble player to someone the team is planning on having around for a while, he is an inspiration to players like Emil Andrae, Egor Zamula, Helge Grans, Karsen Dowart, and Devin Kaplan, who do not have a firm spot on the roster.
Cates can show that hard work and continued effort to improve will be rewarded. He's fought his way up the ladder to earn his spot on the team. His continued persistence to get better has kept him in Philadelphia. That should be an inspiration for those players.
Cates got his big extension at the start of the postseason. He earned it because of his play over the last few seasons. Now he's going to hit the ice and prove that he's well worth it. Expect a career year out of him this season.