Montreal Canadiens star winger Cole Caufield has officially been named the 2025-26 recipient of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the NHL player who best exhibits sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.
The announcement was made in a uniquely heartwarming fashion. In a video shared by the NHL, Caufield was surprised with the news in the Canadiens' locker room, an event that concurrently revealed his captain, Nick Suzuki, had won the Frank J. Selke Trophy.
The Canadiens’ forward finished with 45 first-place votes, with Los Angeles Kings’ captain Anze Kopitar ranking second with 38 first-place votes and Ottawa Senators’ defenseman Jake Sanderson finishing with 28.
Cole Caufield is a Lady Byng winner! 🚨 #NHLAwards
— NHL (@NHL) June 5, 2026
The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy is awarded to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability. pic.twitter.com/9XbkFu1uqh
Caufield, 25, had one of the best regular seasons in modern Canadiens’ history, becoming the first player to score 50 goals in a single campaign since Stephane Richer did so in 1989-90. Caufield finished the regular season with 51 goals and 37 assists for 88 points. In the playoffs, he recorded six goals and seven assists for 13 points in 19 games.
Through parts of six NHL seasons, the Stevens Point, Wisc., native has 169 goals and 138 assists for 307 points in 368 career regular-season games.