Cole Caufield becomes Canadiens’ first 50-goal scorer since 1989-90

Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield became the first Canadiens player to reach the 50-goal threshold since Stéphane Richer in 1989-90.

Other Montreal skaters to score 50 goals in a single season include Guy Lafleur, Pierre Larouche, Steve Shutt, Bernie Geoffrion and Maurice “Rocket” Richard. Lafleur hit the 50-goal mark six times as a member of the Canadiens

The 25-year-old has tallied 50 goals and 87 points this season, smashing his previous career highs. Through parts of six NHL seasons, the Stevens Point, Wisc., native has 168 goals and 138 assists for 306 points in 364 career regular-season games. Caufield has also played in 25 playoff games, posting seven goals and nine assists for 16 points. He was part of Montreal’s 2021 Stanley Cup Final run, where in 20 games he recorded four goals and eight assists for 12 points.

Caufield, taken No. 15 overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, spent two seasons playing college hockey with the University of Wisconsin. In 2020-21, he led the NCAA with 30 goals and 52 points in just 31 games, going on to win the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in the country.

Internationally, Caufield represented the U.S. twice at the World Junior Championships, helping them win gold in 2021. He was also part of the U.S. World Championship squad in 2024.