Wisconsin Badgers’ Caulfield gets top player award

MADISON, Wis. – The first player in Wisconsin men’s hockey history to begin his career with three multi-goal games, freshman forward Cole Caufield is the Hockey Commissioners’ Association National (HCA) Rookie of the Month for October. Finishing the month with a nation’s-best eight goals, the Stevens Point native helped the Badgers to a 4-3-0 record against three preseason conference favorites and in contests against six ranked foes. Caufield opened the month with a two-goal performance at Boston College, a three-point night at Merrimack with two goals and an assist, and a pair of goals in a victory against two-time defending NCAA champion Minnesota Duluth. He closed out the month with goals in back-to-back games, including a win against Clarkson on Oct. 26. Caufield’s eight goals and 10 points for the month led the nation’s rookies. He also shared the national lead for power-play goals by a freshman with three, tied with fellow Badger Alex Turcotte. He was named the Big Ten Second Star of the Week following his four-goal and five-point opening weekend of the season.